Asking for a LOR

[Packers04]

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For the last 6 months I have been shadowing a local veterinarian, accumulating around 120 hours. About a month ago the vet mentioned a possible chance to be hired on in August if I could fit it into my schedule with my other full-time job and school. My only worry is that I feel that I am now getting in the way of the techs and sometimes her as I feel that I can do very little while not employed. I was planning on asking her for a LOR at the end of the day the next time I shadow, allowing things to slow down a bit. What is the best way to ask for a LOR from a vet in this instance? Should I wait to ask her in her office? Are there any reservations I should have with only shadowing for 6 months?

 

[moosenanny]

Only you know if the vet will vouch for you and if you have a strong, personal relationship with her. If you have a nagging feeling that she doesn't know you well enough (i.e., the reason you're posting this thread), then she probably doesn't.

Also, I wouldn't say the 6-months timeframe is the worry, but rather that you only accumulated 120 hours in those six months. I know you work full time and are a student, but 120 hours isn't much to back a recommendation in my opinion. But again, if she knows you really well and is complimentary of your work, then go for it.

Sounds like you don't really have any other better options anyway . . .

ETA: I'd definitely wait to ask her until she's not doing something else. Whether you need to peg her in her office to do this, or if you can sneak in the request during a normal conversation during the day doesn't really matter. Just don't spring it on her when she's ready to leave work, or when she's in the middle of something else and you should be fine. When I've asked in the past, I've waited until I'm saying good-bye for the day, and asked then.

 

[Jakesmom]

I think 6 months is a reasonable amount of time to ask for a LOR. The admissions lady from Ohio State gave some tips about this at their open house. She recommended phrasing your request in such a manner that it gives them an "out" if they don't feel comfortable writing you a good letter. I'm sure you've been doing great work there since they have talked about hiring you, so you probably wouldn't have to worry about them writing a bad letter! That said, if you are unsure about it may be better to say something along the lines of "Do you feel you have spent enough time evaluating me for you to be able to write me a LOR?" This way, if they don't want to write the letter, or don't think they would write a good letter, they can say "I'm sorry Jimmy, I don't feel I've spent enough quality time with you to write your LOR." Whereas if you straight out ask for them to write it, they may feel cornered and say ok, but then not write an all-too-flattering letter. Just passing along the words of wisdom from the admissions lady😀

 

[Kipani]

I don't think you've got much to worry about. When I asked two of my current LOR writers, I had been around for about 15-20 hours a month over a year. Sometimes that's just all you can fit in. I'd venture that the vet actually knows you more than you think, as long as you've been marginally sociable, always upbeat, and more than willing to do the silliest grunt work to the important stuff. (I offer to do everything from cleaning up vomit/poop to restraining screaming dogs who hate their catheters that are getting doxorubicin. And I always say "Hi Dr. So and So! How are you doing today?" when I come in.)

I personally am one of the most nervous people ever when it comes to asking others to do things for me (I have a practical phobia of rejection). Basically, I approached the vet and the director for the other volunteer position I have individually, when they were on their way out / when things had slowed down, and un-eloquently put it "hey, I'm getting my application together for vet school and I was wondering if you would feel comfortable enough to write me a strong letter of recommendation based on our experiences together over the last (time)." The vet actually asked me why I'd waited so long to ask, and said that she would be more than happy to do it for me, and next week is going to talk it over with me and see about getting a second one/combining it with a faculty member who she believes will have additional comments/weight.

I guess my point is, if you're worried because you're nervous and afraid of rejection like I am... don't be. Your actions around the vet over the past 6 months will have done more for you than you think they have. I'd say she probably likes you enough already and you shouldn't be worried... Who mentions the possibility of getting hired if they think you're not worth your salt?

 

[BlacKAT33]

I decided not to ask the vets who i had hundreds of hours with because i just didnt feel like they knew me personally. The clinic was so busy and there was never much time for personal chatting. I ended up asking a vet who i only had around <50 hrs with, but who i saw constantly because he worked in the same building that i did research in. I could barely get words out, you would have thought I was proposing or about to admit i was cheating, i got SO choked up, and teary....god it was so embarrassing lol but he said yes. And I think i was just nervous for no reason. even though i barely had any hours with him, he still knew me better than the vets I had hundreds of hrs with. So basically what everyone else said, you'll know if it is right to ask them whether or not u have 10 hrs or 1000 hrs.