Are recommendation letters biased?

Letters of recommendation are an important component of the residency application process. Similar to other narrative-based documents in medicine such as the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), studies have found that letters of recommendation demonstrate gender and racial bias.

Do colleges really care about letters of recommendation?

While this depends, to a degree, on the given school you're looking at, you shouldn't ever overlook the importance of a rec letter. “If a college requires recommendation letters, then those letters really do matter,” Ivey says.

What should you avoid in a letter of recommendation?

Are letters of recommendation gatekeeping?

Letters of recommendation are often used by hiring managers to sift out candidates based on their pedigree, and so there are many good reasons for employers to stop asking for them. But while these letters can be used as a form of gatekeeping, a study by a pair of economists shows they can also open doors.

Are letters of recommendation equitable?

Letters of recommendation (LORs) are systematically biased against women and those historically underrepresented in medicine. Recognizing and overcoming bias in LORs is a feasible, high-yield way to achieve more equitable selection processes.

Bias in Standardized Recommendation Letters —Video Discussion by Michele Manahan, MD

Who should you not ask for a letter of recommendation?

Don't ask a family member or a friend for a recommendation as a college may not take them seriously. You should always follow the guidelines from the colleges you are applying to when choosing who to write your letter of recommendation.

Can you be sued for a bad letter of recommendation?

In an employment situation, the new employer to whom the recommendation was provided may bring suit. In some cases, even third parties may sue based upon matters contained in or omitted from letters of recommendation provided to the new employer. The most common basis for suit by disappointed applicants is defamation.

When should you not write a recommendation letter?

There are several reasons to refuse a request to write a letter of recommendation. You may not know the applicant well enough, you may not have time to write it by the time the applicant needs it, you may not feel you could say good things about the applicant, etc.

How do you stand out in a letter of recommendation?

What is the gatekeeper rule?

The Gatekeeper Initiative is an effort by governmental authorities to impose stringent anti-money laundering (“AML”) and counter-terrorist financing obligations on “gatekeepers” to the domestic and international monetary systems, such as lawyers, civil law notaries, trust and company service providers, real estate ...

What 3 things should your recommendation letters give evidence of?

A good letter identifies the candidate, the position for which she/he is applying, and the relationship between the recommender and the candidate.

What are strong recommendation phrases?

They do this by invoking the linguistic terms mentioned above: standout terms or phrases, such as “unparalleled,” “one of the best I have worked with,” “incredible,” “fantastic,” “prodigy,” “unrivaled,” “outstanding,” “rising star,” “as good or better than” (a well-known person), “amazing,” and others.

Should recommendation letters be specific?

The body of the recommendation should provide specific information about the candidate. Information may include: 1. personal characteristics such as poise, confidence, dependability, patience, creativity, etc.

How many letters of rec is too much?

Most colleges will ask for up to three letters of recommendation, so keep that in mind and don't overdo it. If a school wants two recommendation letters, only submit two.

Is it OK if teacher recommendations are late?

“Materials submitted by others, including school officials and testing agencies, may take several weeks to process. As a result, your checklist may not be complete by the deadline. This is completely fine. Simply continue to check your page regularly until all items have been received.”

What do colleges want to hear in a recommendation letter?

What do colleges look for in a letter of recommendation? Colleges and universities often look for a student's strengths, personal qualities, achievements they've made and whether they come personally recommended by a trusted educator, mentor or employer.

How do you write a killer letter of recommendation?

What does a strong recommendation letter look like?

An overview of the applicant's strengths as you've experienced them and as they relate to the recipient. A personal story that elaborates on one to two traits the applicant possesses. A closing statement that summarizes why the individual you're recommending would be a good fit for the opportunity.

What are the 6 details that should be included in a letter of recommendation?

A recommendation letter should include information on who you are, your connection with the person you are recommending, why they are qualified, and the specific skills they have. Specifics. Whenever possible, it's helpful to provide specific anecdotes and examples that illustrate your support.

What does a bad recommendation letter look like?

The letter lists duties expected of any student, but is vague and does not give specific, accurate details about skills or attitudes, communicating that the letter writer knew the student well. There is also no comment on the quality of the student's work.

Will I ever be able to read my letter of recommendation?

Only you can decide whether or not to waive your right to inspect letters of recommendation. If you are uncertain, you may wish to ask the advice of people you know and trust (e.g. faculty, current graduate students, etc.).

What are problems with a letter of recommendation?

One major concern is defamation. Defamation is telling someone else (or writing to someone else) a false statement of fact about another person. Even if you write a glowing letter of recommendation, a side sentence or small comment that can be viewed as potentially negative, can lead to a lawsuit for defamation.

Is it rude to read a letter of recommendation?

Usually not, no. Letters of recommendation anyone writes for you are assumed to be confidential, so that the writer can be honest. This was changing when I left the world of reading/writing references, with teachers, former employers, etc. often giving me a copy of what they wrote, whether or not it was all praise.

Can a letter of recommendation be plagiarized?

"how much copying is allowed in a recommendation letter"? Copying from oneself is fine (so long as one still owns the copyright in the work being copied). Copying from someone else is not, unless they've given you permission to do so.

Can people reject recommendation letters?

Lack of knowledge about the candidate's abilities: A recommender may decline a student's request to write a letter of recommendation if they don't know enough about the student's abilities to endorse them.