SAMPLE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

SAMPLELETTEROFRECOMMENDATION–STRONG

EsteemedResidencyProgram

Well‐KnownUniversity

1234UniversityWay

BigCity,Florida54321

March19,2014

DearProgramDirector,

ItismypleasuretowriteinsupportoftheapplicationofMr.IanHarrisforyourresidency

program.Ihavebeenaneducatorfordecadeswithconsiderableexperiencewithnational

organizations.IworkedcloselywithMr.Harrisduringhisthirdyearclerkshipaswellasduring

hisactinginternship.AsisevidentfromhisCV,Mr.Harrishasexcelledthroughouthiscareer

withmanynotableaccomplishmentswhichIwillnotrepeathere.Iwillfocusonmy

experienceswithMr.Harris,primarilythoserelatedtohisclinicalabilitiesandwhich

demonstratethequalitiesnecessaryforyourresidency:excellentknowledge,clinicalskills,

patientcare,andleadership.IhaveobservedMr.Harrisinboththeinpatientandoutpatient

setting,taughthiminclass,andoverseenhisperformanceduringhisclerkshipandacting

internship.

Inadditiontoconsiderableintellectandexemplaryperformancesonstandardized

examinations,Mr.Harrisisawarm,engagingindividualwhoteachesothersbyexample,is

inclusive,andconsistentlyexhibitscuriosityandmotivationtolearn.Hecomespreparedforall

typesoflearningsituations,havingresearchedtherelevanttopicssothathecanprovide

qualitycar

easwellasparticipateactivelyinclassandclinicalsupervision.Mr.Harrisis

articulate,well‐read,andabletoutilizehisknowledgeeffectivelyintheclinicalsetting.In

additiontoprioritizinghisownlearning,Mr.Harrisconsiderstheneedsofothers.Onmultiple

occasions,hehasarrivedinclinicwithhandoutsonrelevantclinicaltopicstailoredfortherest

ofthemedicalteam.Hehasbeendescribedasoneofthebeststudentstorotateonour

servicebyourresidentsandseveralattendingphysicians.AcolleaguewassoimpressedbyMr.

Harris’knowledgeandskillsthatsheinvitedhimtogiveapresentationduringGrandRounds.

Hispresenta

tionwasoutstanding–comprehensiveinscopeyetpresentedefficientlyand

effectively.Onhisowntime,Mr.Harrisdesignedawell‐conceived,thoroughstudyprotocolon

riskfactorsforreadmissionwithin30daystoourinpatientservice.

Inconclusion,IamhappytogiveMr.Harrismyhighestrecommendationforyourresidency

program.Inmyexperience,heisinthetop10%ofallmedicalstudentswithwhomIhave

workedoverthepast20years.Ifyouhaveanyadditionalquestionsorrequirefurther

information,pleasedonothesitatetocontactme.

Sincerely,

JosephAttending,M.D.

AssociateProfessorofMedicine

Note:Thisletterisstrongforseveralreasons.Itdescribeshowandinwhatcontexttheletterwriter

knowsthestudent.Itprovidesspecificexamplesofthestudent’sperformance,includingaspectsthat

madehimstandoutincomparisontohispeers.Italsoprovidesanestimateofhowthisstudentranks

amongallstudentswithwhomtheletterwriterhasinteractedovertheyears.

SAMPLELETTEROFRECOMMENDATION–WEAK

EsteemedResidencyProgram

Well‐KnownUniversity

1234UniversityWay

BigCity,Florida54321

March19,2014

DearProgramDirector,

IampleasedtowritethisletterofrecommendationforJohnJones,whowasfirstintroducedto

mewhenhecametoButterworthHospitalasafourthyearstudentin2013.

IfoundMr.Jonestobeaveryhardworking,conscientiousindividual.Hetookverygoodcareof

patientswhowereassignedtohim,andhemadesurethatallthework‐upwasdonebeforethe

morningrounds,whereheactivelyparticipated.Hisresponsibilitiesincludedtakinghistories

andphysicals,writingSOAPnotes,collectinglabreportsfromthepreviousday,writingtransfer

anddischargesummariesandalsoparticipatinginmorningreportsandnoonconferences.He

alsogavesomeexcellentpresentations.Hehasexcellentclinicalskillsanddisplaysthemwith

maturemannerisms.

Johnisaveryhumbleindividualwhogetsalongwellwithhispeersandtheentiremedical

team.ItisthereforewithoutreservationsthatIrecommendhimtoyouforanyresidency

programthathemaybeseeking.Iamsurehewillbeavaluableassettoyourorganization.

Pleasedonothesitatetocontactmeifyouneedfurtherinformation.

Sincerelyyours,

WilliamAttending,M.D.

AssociateProfessorofMedicine

Note:Thisletterisweakforseveralreasons.Itisvagueandnon‐specific,describingwhatanymedical

studentwoulddoonarotation.Therearenospecific examplesofJohn’sworkprovided.Itappearsthe

writerdoesnotevenknowthestudent’sspecialtychoice.Overall,theletterisoflittlevalueinassessing

thestudent’sapplication.