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Mavis BE, Shafer CL, Magallanes BM. The Intentions of Letter Writers for Applicants to a Baccalaureate-M.D. Program: Self-Report and Content Analyses of Letters of Reference. Med Educ Online. 2006;11(1):4586doi: 10.3402/meo.v11i.4586.
Mavis, B. E., Shafer, C. L., & Magallanes, B. M. (2006). The Intentions of Letter Writers for Applicants to a Baccalaureate-M.D. Program: Self-Report and Content Analyses of Letters of Reference. Medical education online, 11(1), 4586. https://doi.org/10.3402/meo.v11i.4586
Mavis, Brian E, et al. "The Intentions of Letter Writers for Applicants to a Baccalaureate-M.D. Program: Self-Report and Content Analyses of Letters of Reference." Medical education online vol. 11,1 (2006): 4586. doi: https://doi.org/10.3402/meo.v11i.4586
Mavis BE, Shafer CL, Magallanes BM. The Intentions of Letter Writers for Applicants to a Baccalaureate-M.D. Program: Self-Report and Content Analyses of Letters of Reference. Med Educ Online. 2006 Dec;11(1):4586. doi: 10.3402/meo.v11i.4586. PMID: 28253785.
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Med Educ Online. 2006 Dec;11(1):4586. doi: 10.3402/meo.v11i.4586.

The Intentions of Letter Writers for Applicants to a Baccalaureate-M.D. Program: Self-Report and Content Analyses of Letters of Reference.

Medical education online

Brian E Mavis, Christine L Shafer, Belinda M Magallanes

Affiliations

  1. a College of Human Medicine Michigan State University East Lansing , MI 48824.

PMID: 28253785 DOI: 10.3402/meo.v11i.4586

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine how individuals providing reference letters framed the task and the specific attributes used to describe applicants.

METHODS: Participants were letter writers (N=106) for accepted or alternate applicants. Participants received a brief anonymous survey and a return postcard to release their past letter for content analysis.

RESULTS: Seventy-six percent of letter writers (N=81) returned a survey. Most (64%) intended to describe applicants' positive accomplishments. According to respondents' they were most likely to write about academic accomplishments (85%), work ethic (78%), dependability (70%) and motivation (70%). Seventy-four respondents (70%) released their letter for content analysis. Academic accomplishments (77%), motivation (41%) and leadership (41%) were the attributes most frequently mentioned in the letters.

CONCLUSIONS: Most letter writers see their role as supportive rather than evaluative. Academic accomplishments, though often mentioned, are available from other sources. Many non-cognitive attributes of most interest to admissions committees are least likely to appear in reference letters.

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