Prof requested that I draft my letter of rec?

[laala]

So one of former professors has requested that along with info on what I'm up to now (working/out of college for 2 years), what programs I'm applying to, etc., that I also send a draft letter of rec for myself. I have no idea what to write.

a. What is the format? ie what do professors generally write/what do programs want to hear?

b. I'm nervous about being presumptuous about what he thinks of me. I wasn't a particularly impressive student (not terrible, but not awesome), I do think he likes me and knows me relatively well because I went on study abroad with him so I think he'd write a positive letter but I'm worried about either overselling myself or underselling myself. (However, he'll be editing it of course so if I undersell myself, I think he'd fix that - so overselling myself is more the concern)... and aside from that, again, I just don't know what I'm supposed to say....

 

PS. I'm applying to masters programs in public health and/or public policy, if that's relevant.

 

 

[GeoDUDE!]

Already covered here: 

[laala]

Thanks - I saw that, but she is asking for a recommendation for a travel grant which I feel is very different from grad school application.. and the discussion primarily focused on whether or not that's ethical or not. Which I realize might happen here as well, but thought I'd put it out there to see if people have done this also and have other suggestions (outside of debating whether it's ethical).

[GeoDUDE!]

Thanks - I saw that, but she is asking for a recommendation for a travel grant which I feel is very different from grad school application.. and the discussion primarily focused on whether or not that's ethical or not. Which I realize might happen here as well, but thought I'd put it out there to see if people have done this also and have other suggestions (outside of debating whether it's ethical).

 

 

Did you read the links in that topic?

 

Namely: http://academia.stackexchange.com/questions/1452/points-to-remember-when-having-to-write-recommendation-letter-yourself?rq=1

Edited October 3, 2014 by GeoDUDE!

[laala]

Ah thanks! - that link wasn't working on my work computer for some reason. I did a google search on this and found similar results to that link (which are helpful), but I guess am still concerned about not knowing what he really thinks of me (I know he likes me/will give me a positive letter, but I'm not sure what he really thinks are my strong skills), or what my skills/abilities are and how they'd be applied to grad school/what I want grad schools to know about me. Obviously this is an activity in self-reflection which I'm not sure if anyone can help with but if there are suggestions/thoughts.... I'd welcome them!