Asking for letters of rec from PTs?

[member 5632997]

I'm in the process of gathering letters of rec from people for PT school. I have asked two professors so far and believe they will write strong letters of rec. However, I have yet to ask any PTs. I'm not really sure who to ask because volunteering in a hospital setting hasn't given me the opportunity to really get close with a PT since they are always going from patient to patient or doing paperwork. Most of the time, I'm changing beds, observing quietly, or cleaning. The other place I volunteer at only allows 40hrs max volunteering. I feel that it's too little time with PTs to get to know them. But, I feel very comfortable around one particular PT and feel that I've learned a lot even though I've only been to the clinic for 4 shifts. How do you approach a PT for a letter? Have you ever gotten turned down? Also, this might sound like an unusual question. But, is asking a PT with a DPT degree vs. a MPT or a bachelors in PT (back in the day only a bachelors was required) weighed more heavily in the admissions process? Or, does it not matter?

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[DesertPT]

The degree the PT has makes no difference. You just have to straight up ask them if they'd be willing to fill out the recommendation form for you, they aren't gonna be shocked - they know why your are there. Go with whatever PT you feel most comfortable with and if they happen to say no you'll just have to take a stab with the next best option. You may not have someone awesome who really knows you well but you also probably have no other choice. Don't worry, LOTS of other people are in your shoes. It's a really sucky part of the process but we have all been through it.

 

[turtlot]

The degree the PT has makes no difference. You just have to straight up ask them if they'd be willing to fill out the recommendation form for you, they aren't gonna be shocked - they know why your are there. Go with whatever PT you feel most comfortable with and if they happen to say no you'll just have to take a stab with the next best option. You may not have someone awesome who really knows you well but you also probably have no other choice. Don't worry, LOTS of other people are in your shoes. It's a really sucky part of the process but we have all been through it.

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I completely agree with this. Yes, it is completely awkward asking PTs for letters of recommendation, but it happens. I'm sure all of us that are going to be/in PT school understand that there will a time where we will all have to write LOR. Try and get a letter from a PT who knows you best and will write you a fantastic letter of recommendation. Even if you shadow only 1 PT and the LOR is subpar, it'll at least get your foot in the door with applications. I'm almost certain I received a subpar LOR from a PT I shadowed and I got accepted into a program 🙂

Good luck!

 

[redrose424]

I'm in the process of gathering letters of rec from people for PT school. I have asked two professors so far and believe they will write strong letters of rec. However, I have yet to ask any PTs. I'm not really sure who to ask because volunteering in a hospital setting hasn't given me the opportunity to really get close with a PT since they are always going from patient to patient or doing paperwork. Most of the time, I'm changing beds, observing quietly, or cleaning. The other place I volunteer at only allows 40hrs max volunteering. I feel that it's too little time with PTs to get to know them. But, I feel very comfortable around one particular PT and feel that I've learned a lot even though I've only been to the clinic for 4 shifts. How do you approach a PT for a letter? Have you ever gotten turned down? Also, this might sound like an unusual question. But, is asking a PT with a DPT degree vs. a MPT or a bachelors in PT (back in the day only a bachelors was required) weighed more heavily in the admissions process? Or, does it not matter?

You don't have to "know" or be very close with a PT to ask for a letter. I think the best qualities to show you have are initiative (helping out appropriately without being told) and passionate about the profession. When you observe something interesting, ask about it once the patient has left and you get a minute alone with the PT. It can be as you two walk over to begin paperwork. For example, the PT who wrote my recommendation I saw about 2 times a week for a month before asking. However, every time I was there I was on time and attentive. It was a lymphedema clinic, so I would frequently ask questions about patient populations or why she did a therapy this way while another therapist does it a different way. Just show your interest and they will pick up on it in most cases.

 

[member 5632997]

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm leaning towards asking two therapists from the same clinic because I have more chances to shadow and communicate with the therapists in that setting. Or, do you guys think it's better to get letters from therapists at different settings?

 

[starrsgirl]

When I approach someone for a recommendation, I always let them know I will draft a form letter for them that they are free to use, modify or trash. I tell them I will give them a resume and a description of exactly what I did for them (at their clinic). I also mention that I am trying to highlight my (fill in the blank) and I hope they feel comfortable talking about that topic. (When I applied, my weak area was my GPA. So I asked my references specifically talk about my ability to handle a high course load, while working and observing and speak to my academic ability). You are your best advocate. You need to put pen to paper and capture your best attributes that showcase your potential to be a PT. Most references are glad for the ideas and often just tweak the words to make them their own and send them in. I'm a non traditional student coming from a few previous careers. This practice is extremely commonplace and results in very strong recommendation letters even if you only know the person professionally (for 40 hours in your case).

 

[member 5632997]

You don't have to "know" or be very close with a PT to ask for a letter. I think the best qualities to show you have are initiative (helping out appropriately without being told) and passionate about the profession. When you observe something interesting, ask about it once the patient has left and you get a minute alone with the PT. It can be as you two walk over to begin paperwork. For example, the PT who wrote my recommendation I saw about 2 times a week for a month before asking. However, every time I was there I was on time and attentive. It was a lymphedema clinic, so I would frequently ask questions about patient populations or why she did a therapy this way while another therapist does it a different way. Just show your interest and they will pick up on it in most cases.

Okay, so now I have another question. Is there a limit to how many letters you can submit to schools through PTCAs? I remember reading somewhere that it was 4 but I'm unsure. Some schools require letters from 2 PTs, 1 prof while some require letters from 2 prof, 1 PT. That's why I was going to get letters from 2 PTs and 2 profs to cover the requirement for all the schools. Now, I was looking at the state schools like CSULB, and they require 3 letters: PT, prof, employer. If the limit for letters through PTCAs is 4, I won't be able to fit in a letter from the employer... I'm just a bit confused on how to coordinate the types of letters to get for each school if all is being submitted through PTCAs.

 

[DesertPT]

When I approach someone for a recommendation, I always let them know I will draft a form letter for them that they are free to use, modify or trash.

Good method in general, but doesn't really apply when using PTCAS as it is already a digital form that they fill out.

 

[starrsgirl]

Good method in general, but doesn't really apply when using PTCAS as it is already a digital form that they fill out.

The year I applied, there it was a standard digital form but there was also a free space for comments. Is it still this way? I can't remember if there was a character limit, but my references just copied their form of my original draft letters into that comment space. So the full letter still appeared there. You do NOT want a reference to skip over that part and just assume they can rate you and that's it. (2/3 of my references wrote a formal style letter within the essay box on PTCAS as they sent me final copies. They were both very thankful to have all the input from me AND a few of my interviewers specifically mentioned the strength of my references when I visited the schools).

 

[DesertPT]

True, there is a free response essay portion.


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[MindBodyPositivity]

I'm in the same sticky situation here as well. I got turned down by 1 PT (who I asked 2 months earlier) and another person who agreed but hasn't even started filling out the reference form. I'm getting pretty concerned, because my first deadline is coming up (Oct. 3).

I was wondering- what if you have every part of the application complete, but you cannot get a reference letter from a PT?

 

[NJ DPT HOPEFUL]

I'm in the same sticky situation here as well. I got turned down by 1 PT (who I asked 2 months earlier) and another person who agreed but hasn't even started filling out the reference form. I'm getting pretty concerned, because my first deadline is coming up (Oct. 3).

I was wondering- what if you have every part of the application complete, but you cannot get a reference letter from a PT?

Then you have an incomplete application. Not good. Did you notify the PT of the deadline?

 

[MindBodyPositivity]

Then you have an incomplete application. Not good. Did you notify the PT of the deadline?

I have, and it seems like she knows. She hasn't started writing it, but I'm hoping she'll still get it in on time!!

 

[NJ DPT HOPEFUL]

I have, and it seems like she knows. She hasn't started writing it, but I'm hoping she'll still get it in on time!!

I wouldn't like the idea of seems, If it were me and she got really close, I'd send a friendly reminder. Also if you still have the 4th letter open, might as well ask someone for a last minute letter as a just in case.

 

[futuredpt987]

I would recommend volunteering in an outpatient clinic (the smaller the clinic the better because it will be easier to build a relationship with a therapist), or even better look for a PT tech/aide job in an outpatient clinic. I've gotten my PT letters from therapists in outpatient clinics. I started off volunteering and then was offered a job. The key is just to really show an interest, ask questions and be friendly towards the patients being treated.

Also, find a therapist who is passionate about the field. Those are the ones that are going to write the best letters, and who will be more than happy to do so. The hospital I observed in was the worst because no one seemed to be passionate about their job. They were the type of people who just wanted to "get their day over with" and I was an annoyance to them....not saying everyone who works in a hospital is this way, but that was my experience.