Asking for LOR after half day shadow

[JibsGuy52]

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Hi guys,

To keep it short. I'm Canadian, thus its extremely hard to find DO's willing to allow shadowing especially close to home. I'm driving a little over an hour just for this half day. Would it be okay to ask for a LOR after the half day is over? I'm kind of nervous on how to approach this. I feel like this isn't enough time to truly right a good LOR but yet I truly need one as I think it would help my chances tremendously.

Thanks.

 

[SnowyMoon]

Are you only shadowing them for one half day? My personal opinion is that it would be better to do it over a length of time and then, once he/she knows you and your work ethic/drive/all the other important things for an LoR, ask for it.
(You probably knew that, though.)

If you have the opportunity, time, and resources, I would suggest shadowing a bit longer before asking.

But if you feel that you must ask NOW, the worst that the doc can say is "no!"

 

[JibsGuy52]

Are you only shadowing them for one half day? My personal opinion is that it would be better to do it over a length of time and then, once he/she knows you and your work ethic/drive/all the other important things for an LoR, ask for it.
(You probably knew that, though.)

If you have the opportunity, time, and resources, I would suggest shadowing a bit longer before asking.

But if you feel that you must ask NOW, the worst that the doc can say is "no!"

I'm going to try for another half day in August. Just hard as there is only 2 DO's willing to shadow in all of the Toronto region.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

I can't really help you with your question, but I will tell you that every DO I have come across seem thrilled to help students who are aspiring to become physicians. Most DOs have had to go through the same process you are going through with asking another DO for a LOR so they will be more understanding than you think. To be honest, they are probably expecting to be asked at some point to write a LOR for the shadowing student. I was very fortunate to have my girlfriend's dad,who practices anesthesia, hook me up with an amazing DO who would let me text and call him for any questions and he even offered to write me a LOR before I ever even brought it up. Do what you have to do. If you want it bad enough, you will ask. What's he going to say? No?

 

[MiaMia14]

I got a letter from a guy I met with and talked to for a half hour. Honestly, the DO letter is a hoop you have to jump through and most Physicians know that. There's not much anyone can know about your "drive, work ethic, etc" when all you are supposed to do is stand in the background and watch someone else work and seem interested. At the end of the day just politely ask if the physician would be willing to write you a letter for your admission into a DO school. Tell them why you want to go to med school/an osteopathic medical school. Tell him that if he would be willing you can give him your resume/a copy of your personal statement (bring that stuff with you) and ask if you can maybe sit down and have a chat about why you are doing this crazy thing. I bet they'll be receptive.

 

[I-said-doctor]

Hi guys,

To keep it short. I'm Canadian, thus its extremely hard to find DO's willing to allow shadowing especially close to home. I'm driving a little over an hour just for this half day. Would it be okay to ask for a LOR after the half day is over? I'm kind of nervous on how to approach this. I feel like this isn't enough time to truly right a good LOR but yet I truly need one as I think it would help my chances tremendously.

Thanks.

Hey! I am a Canadian as well, applying for DO this cycle. I think I know which two DO's you are talking about...since there are only 2-3 in Ontario that allow students to shadow. If you are shadowing the same person I did, don't worry, they are extremely nice. They offered to write me a letter without me even asking. LOL I don't think they loved me sooo much, I think they are just expecting you to ask them and are willing to write the letter since a lot of Canadians have no where else to go to shadow a DO. PM me if you want to chat!

 

[SnowyMoon]

It's not that difficult to see if someone is interested in becoming a doctor or just going through the motions. No, anyone you shadow will not know what your true drive/ethic is, but they will be able to tell if you're just BSing your way through an experience to check a box rather than actually learn. Your method (with the resume and productive chat) is probably fairly effective.

I'm sorry if it came off as though they had to know everything about you, which you are correct, isn't the case. I feel like the letter should be more about length and commitment than just a half hour conversation. I suppose different things work for different people, though. If it got you a good LoR, then I can't exactly say it will never work.

As a side note, I've been able to shadow a doc for about 6 months straight for about 3 hours a week, so I got lucky on that end. It's easier to say that when I'm able to shadow without a long drive, I guess.

I got a letter from a guy I met with and talked to for a half hour. Honestly, the DO letter is a hoop you have to jump through and most Physicians know that. There's not much anyone can know about your "drive, work ethic, etc" when all you are supposed to do is stand in the background and watch someone else work and seem interested. At the end of the day just politely ask if the physician would be willing to write you a letter for your admission into a DO school. Tell them why you want to go to med school/an osteopathic medical school. Tell him that if he would be willing you can give him your resume/a copy of your personal statement (bring that stuff with you) and ask if you can maybe sit down and have a chat about why you are doing this crazy thing. I bet they'll be receptive.

 

[ConfusedChemist]

Yes, it's ok, only because you're in Canada and there are next to no DO's here so they are used to it

 

[igor_raptor]

Hi guys,

To keep it short. I'm Canadian, thus its extremely hard to find DO's willing to allow shadowing especially close to home. I'm driving a little over an hour just for this half day. Would it be okay to ask for a LOR after the half day is over? I'm kind of nervous on how to approach this. I feel like this isn't enough time to truly right a good LOR but yet I truly need one as I think it would help my chances tremendously.

Thanks.

Just ask, what's the worst that can happen? No? At least you have the experience.

 

[JibsGuy52]

He said No. Ugh, looks like I have to make the drive from school (2 hours+) to see this guy.