How to Write Your Own Medical School Letter of Recommendation (Sample Included)

Can You Write Your Own Medical School Letter of Recommendation?

It may feel strange or even ethically questionable to write your own letter of recommendation. However, it's not uncommon. Many professors, physicians, or supervisors—often due to time constraints or their trust in your judgment—might ask you to write a draft of the letter for them to review and finalize.

This guide will walk you through how to do it properly, ethically, and effectively.

Understanding When It’s Appropriate to Write Your Own Letter

Why Would a Recommender Ask You to Write It?

They’re short on time but still want to support your application.
They trust you to fairly represent your accomplishments.
They may feel you’re better positioned to highlight key qualities.

Writing your own draft doesn't mean the recommender won’t personalize or review it. Rather, it’s often the starting point of collaboration between you and your mentor.

Benefits of Drafting the Letter Yourself

What You Gain from the Process

Control over the narrative: You can highlight your most meaningful achievements.
Clarity and consistency: Your messaging will align with your personal statement and resume.
Strategic emphasis: You can tailor the letter to reflect the competencies that medical schools are looking for.

Gone are the days when you never saw your letters. Today, collaboration is increasingly common.

Who Should You Ask for a Medical School Recommendation?

Choose recommenders who:

Know you well academically or professionally.
Can speak to your character, work ethic, and interpersonal skills.
Supervised you in research, clinical internships, volunteer work, or academic settings.

Good examples include:

Professors or academic advisors
Doctors you’ve shadowed
Supervisors from clinical internships like those offered by Go Elective

Preparing to Write: What to Ask Your Recommender

Start With These Questions:

Would you like a full draft, an outline, or a bullet-point list?
What key attributes should the letter emphasize?
Are there any anecdotes or achievements you’d prefer I include?
Will you review and personalize the draft before submitting?

When to Ask for Letters

Always give your recommender at least 4–6 weeks before the deadline. If you ask months in advance, send a reminder 2–3 weeks out.

How Many Letters of Recommendation Do You Need?

Most U.S. medical schools require 3 to 5 letters. Always check each school’s requirements via:

AMCAS Letter Service Guidelines
The individual med school’s admissions website

What Medical Schools Want in a Letter of Recommendation

Core Components to Include:

How long and in what capacity the recommender knows you
Academic and interpersonal competencies
Examples of your problem-solving or leadership
Your ability to work in diverse, team-oriented environments
Your adaptability, ethics, and reliability

Be sure to include concrete examples to support these traits.

Ideal Letter Length and Structure

How Long Should It Be?

A well-written medical school recommendation letter is typically 1 to 2 pages (500–900 words). Quality trumps length—avoid fluff.

Letter Format and Style Tips

Keep It Professional Yet Personal:

Use a formal letter format with clear structure: introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Avoid clichés like “hard-working” or “dedicated”—opt for descriptive, impactful language.
Use power words like “empathetic,” “analytical,” “resilient,” and “collaborative.”
Always write in the recommender’s voice—not your own.

Align with Your Personal Statement

Cross-reference your personal statement and resume. Reinforce key themes with specific examples:

If your statement highlights your passion for underserved communities, have the letter reflect on a clinical or volunteer role supporting that.
Include any Go Elective internship experiences, shadowing, or global health immersion to strengthen your profile.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Don’t:

Repeat your resume verbatim
Use general praise without evidence
Write overly long letters
Include spelling or grammar errors
Focus solely on personality—tie traits to med school success

Sample Structure: Three Essential Paragraphs

Paragraph 1: Introduce the relationship and express strong endorsement
Paragraph 2–4: Provide specific examples of academic, clinical, or research performance
Paragraph 5: Summarize key strengths and reassert recommendation

Sample Medical School Letter of Recommendation

Dear Admissions Committee,

It is my pleasure to recommend James for admission to your medical school. I am a professor of biology at XYZ University Name, where I’ve taught James in both large lecture courses and supervised his independent research. I have known James for over two years, and he consistently demonstrates exceptional initiative, resilience, and maturity.

James initially struggled in my Introduction to Biology course but demonstrated remarkable improvement. After scoring poorly on early exams, he attended every office hour, actively sought feedback, and brought additional practice materials to review. His performance by the end of the semester placed him in the top 5% of the class, though his final grade was a B+ due to earlier performance. His growth reflects his dedication and ability to overcome challenges—qualities essential for success in medicine.

The following summer, James was selected to be a tutor for the course, based on both academic achievement and reliability. He led peer study sessions and went beyond expectations to support struggling students. As his academic advisor, I later worked with him on a research project that we recently submitted for publication. James’ analytical thinking and attention to detail were evident in the lab, and he earned high praise from faculty and research collaborators alike.

James is an empathetic leader and diligent learner. I have no doubt that he will make an exceptional physician. He ranks among the top 5% of students I’ve worked with in my 30 years at [University Name] I give him my highest recommendation and would be happy to provide further insight if needed.

Sincerely,
Professor James Doe,
Department of Biology, XYZ University

Final Tips to Polish the Letter

Use precise examples instead of vague adjectives
Include rankings or metrics if applicable (e.g., top 5% of class)
Address any weaknesses (e.g., early struggles) with a growth-focused narrative
Ensure impeccable grammar and formatting
Include a full signature block with the recommender’s title and institution

Stand Out with Clinical Experience Abroad

To strengthen your letters, consider gaining hands-on experience through a global health internship. Go Elective’s programs in Kenya and Tanzania offer unparalleled shadowing and mentorship opportunities. Your mentors abroad may even become future recommenders—ones who have seen you in clinical action.

Explore our pre-med internships to gain a competitive edge in your medical school applications.