Asking for letters of recommendation - ADVICE NEEDED!

[hwolfe]

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Hey all. I am currently interning for an animal training program, and they have veterinarians (very prestigious ones) onsite. However, I am rarely able to speak or work with them as I have a lot of other things that I have to do. I try to observe as many veterinary procedures as possible and really show my interest by asking questions, but I still don't feel that they know me that well. I was really hoping for a letter of rec from one of them before the internship ends. I have 4.5 weeks left, and still haven't gotten to know the vets any better. Is it a terrible idea to just ask for one? Should I try speaking with them one on one first, and if so, what about? Myself, or interview them? aaaahh! I'm so worried about this...please help! Thanks!

 

[RackingHorse]

If I were you, I would probably ask one of the vets if I could stick around a few extra hours on the days that you work, or come in on you're days off to shadow with the vets. This would show you're desire to learn about the veterinary profession, and it would help the vet to write a better letter for you.

 

[sooprnova]

I second RH's advice. Ask if there are times outside of your normal internship schedule during which you cam observe procedures, ask additional questions, and gain more experience. It wouldn't hurt to mention that you're applying this fall. If they don't know you very well, you can always offer to meet with them to discuss why vet med is important to you and what you've done to bolster your app.

When you do ask, be sure you ask if they cam write you a POSITIVE letter. A glowing recommendation from vet who isn't well known will always look better than a mediocre letter from a big name.

 

[lareinesoleil]

Two of my recommendations were from vets who had only worked with me for a few months. Just wanted to throw that out there for encouragement - you can most certainly get a good recommendation from someone you've only known a little while. I think the advice of the above posters is really good - try to spend a little more time with the vets to highlight your dedication and give them a chance to get to know you better so they'll have some details to put in your LOR.

 

[EveyG]

Two of my recommendations were from vets who had only worked with me for a few months. Just wanted to throw that out there for encouragement - you can most certainly get a good recommendation from someone you've only known a little while. I think the advice of the above posters is really good - try to spend a little more time with the vets to highlight your dedication and give them a chance to get to know you better so they'll have some details to put in your LOR.

I agree. One of the biggest mistakes I made was asking someone that didn't have much to say about me for an eLOR. He let me read it (after he submitted it) and it was awful. Very generic. I have been in your position when I was applying for grad school; very prestigious doctor, well-respected, we had talked but didn't really have a personal connection, etc. When I asked him, he said he wanted to sit down and talk to me first. When I met with him he asked me "What about you makes you different than everyone else who is applying?" Over the next hour we discussed what about me should stand out, and the contribution I could make to the program. I think that a good eLOR can say something about you using specific examples of when you have shown exceptional work, honesty, humility, teamwork, perserverence, etc. If the doctors you ask don't feel they can speak truly to who you are, they should either ask like mine did, or politely deny your request. Giving them more time to prepare helps too. If you ask them now, they can spend the next couple of weeks truly trying to get to know you better and pay attention to you as a candidate for vet school. You might get a better letter the sooner you ask rather than waiting 'till the deadline gets closer. Just my 2 cents. 🙂

 

[EveyG]

lareinesoleil- Banana stand quote is awesome. Love Arrested Development.👍

 

[lareinesoleil]

lareinesoleil- Banana stand quote is awesome. Love Arrested Development.👍

👍
well, if the Vet School thing doesn't work out, there's always money in the banana stand 😉

 

[LetItSnow]

lareinesoleil- Banana stand quote is awesome. Love Arrested Development.👍

AD rocks. And every time I read a comment from lareinesoleil I giggle a little inside.

 

[lareinesoleil]

AD rocks. And every time I read a comment from lareinesoleil I giggle a little inside.

👍 haha I try, I try. I hope they do make that AD movie, someday.