Tag: recommendations

Writing a Cover Letter for a Letter of Recommendation

Once you’ve identified mentors to write you a letter of recommendation (LOR), the next step is to reach out to them to ask that they write said letter.  In that process, you might want to write a cover letter which provides them with some information to help them write the LOR. Why write a cover

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Asking Non-Veterinary Supervisors to Write a Letter of Recommendation

A letter of recommendation (LOR) is one of the cornerstones of your application to vet school.  They are used to demonstrate to the selection committee that you know what you are getting into and have the fortitude to succeed.  At least one of your LORs should come from a veterinarian.  They have been through vet

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What is the VMCAS Recommendation and How is it Read?

You would think a letter of recommendation (LOR) is a simple thing.  You ask someone to write it for you when you apply to vet school, they do so, it is read, and that contributes to your evaluation.  All of that is true, and I want to drill down on the details of the letter

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The VIRMP Standard Letter of Recommendation

Applying for an internship or residency can be stressful.  Ideally, you made decisions throughout vet school to improve your chances, and hopefully you have followed the suggestions I have on how to be successful.  You have asked for letters of recommendation, which are probably the most important part of your application packet.  But what do

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Should You Create a Professional Social Media Profile?

I realize that social media is in a constant state of flux, much like the internet itself.  Sites come and go (who remembers Myspace?) and user interest ebbs and flows.  Since you are a veterinary professional, I think you should create a professional profile on LinkedIn or a similar system.  Here are some reasons why.

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Why Are You Afraid to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation or Help?

A theme we have encountered before is individuals unable or unwilling to ask mentors for letters of recommendation or for help with their professional progression.  This is evidently true for so many applicants because I STILL get applications that are just Not Good. The applications clearly haven’t been vetted by a mentor. Why in the

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What Should a Letter of Recommendation Say?

I have already advised you to make sure you ask for a GOOD letter of recommendation.  The problem is, you usually can’t see the letter before it is submitted, so it’s impossible to know if it is good or not.  Nonetheless, there are some features of letters of recommendation that you want to make sure

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Learn to Write an Email Asking for a Recommendation

As we’ve discussed before, people seem to have some anxiety around asking a potential mentor for a letter of recommendation.  I used to teach a undergraduate seminar course in clinical research, and one of the assignments was for the students to write an email asking for a letter of recommendation.  I was surprised at the

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Internship Letters of Recommendation Flowchart

Last week we did a whole series on letters of recommendation. One of the most complex is for those applying for internships. Therefore, I created a (relatively simple) flowchart to help you decide what letters of recommendation you should get for internship applications.   Core disciplines are internal medicine, surgery, and emergency/critical care. Ancillary disciplines

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Choosing Letters of Recommendation for a Faculty Position

Aim for zero. Seriously. The faculty selection process is largely based on the interview. All of your written materials are designed with only one goal: to get you an interview. Once you interview, all of your written materials will be of minimal value, unless those materials “ding” you. Therefore, your strategy is simple: aim for

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