Questions about Letters of Rec (and some other things)

[JPSmyth]

I am a junior planning on taking my MCAT and applying in May 2016. I know that I need one non-science letter of rec, which I am asking my foreign language professor for. Since I took their class this semester, and I doubt they will remember specifics about me when the time comes to apply, I am asking for a letter now. But how does this work? Do I have them write it then send it to me? then when the time comes I send it back to them so they can submit it to AMCAS? How did you guys go about this process?

Also quick question. I have about 100 volunteer hours right now split between two hospital departments spread out over about 2 years while I was on break between semesters. How many hours do schools generally like to see?

Also, I plan on shadowing an MD and a DO. When discussing with them, how many hours should I shoot to shadow them for? I don't want to ask too much but I don't want my experience to be seen as insignificant by ADCOMs

Thanks for any input

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[SnakeOilForSale]

Look into Interfolio

quality>quantity, be able to speak about it

see above. also ask the physician themselves politely how long the observation experience will be.

 

[Osteoth]

Yes they can write it now and you can upload it to interfolio until you apply.

100 hours isn't bad, but at the same time more is generally better. I wouldn't stress about this though, you have "enough".

Shoot for about 75-100 total hours shadowing, spread between a couple of different specialties.