Writing your recommendations yourself

[MR2]

One of my friends is going to apply to MS EE program this year. He is a good student with over an year research experience and a couple of publications as well. But he has been asked by one of his research advisors to write his recommendation himself. (bad advisors)

Now he wants to write his recommendation letter himself?

That are the DOs and DO NOTs he must follow

[jrcolmena]

The most important thing is to tell the truth. Not only because the obvious ethical implications, but because they may call the professor to check if what is written in the letter is true.

There are several websites that give advice about recommendations (I can’t remember one now) basically they have to be believable, they have to give details and specific examples on the students qualities, and they should include mild criticism, but remember, always the truth.

[reactor]

The most important thing is to tell the truth. Not only because the obvious ethical implications, but because they may call the professor to check if what is written in the letter is true.

I agree. Or at least your friend should make sure that the professor reads the recommendation and that the prof will confirm what the letter of recommendation reads if s/he is contacted by some university.

[MR2]

What about DOs and DO NOTs my friend must follow assuming that Professors would confirm what the letter of recommendation reads when contacted by the univeristy.

Language , Tone , Contents etc????????????

[gforce]

Taken from another forum:
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Sometimes an advisor may not be articulate enough to write a reco letter. Better make sure that this the reason for the adv to not want to write the reco, cause if the adv can't find *time*, then its time to look for someone better who would be willing to take that little time out for you.
There have been cases at my univ where good profs have given bad recos simply because they don't have adequate command over English, or simply do not want to devote the time.. These may be dangerous.
My advice is that you should discuss what and what not to put on the reco with your prof and possibly get someone else (a third person) to put the ideas together so it sounds good, and then get the prof to approve and sign it. This is just to tide over language problems, and not to decide the content of the reco itself.
Anyway, thats just my opinion.
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Cheers!