best way to ask dentist for LoR

[ringofkeys]

What's the best approach to asking your dentist that you've shadowed several times for an LoR? I'm not in town right now, but I'll back home for spring break, so should I wait until I'm back home and drop by the office? Or should I email, text, or call her to ask to set up a meeting to discuss it? Or would it be better to ask to shadow for an afternoon and ask at that time?

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[MTdental]

I would ask in advance so she doesn't feel rushed. I asked for some in person, and several through email (I had to apply twice). I think email is a great option if you are a distance away from the person. Just make sure it is professional and courteous.

 

[ringofkeys]

I would ask in advance so she doesn't feel rushed. I asked for some in person, and several through email (I had to apply twice). I think email is a great option if you are a distance away from the person. Just make sure it is professional and courteous.

So email would definitely be better than texting if I were to set up a time to meet with her?

 

[BeggarsCantBeChoosers]

What's the best approach to asking your dentist that you've shadowed several times for an LoR? I'm not in town right now, but I'll back home for spring break, so should I wait until I'm back home and drop by the office? Or should I email, text, or call her to ask to set up a meeting to discuss it? Or would it be better to ask to shadow for an afternoon and ask at that time?

 

[MTdental]

So email would definitely be better than texting if I were to set up a time to meet with her?

I guess that would depend on your relationship with her. The dentist that I worked for I texted, but we are pretty close (I worked for him for 5 years).

 

[JLT223]

I'd ask in person, especially if you only shadowed this dentist "several times". I'd ask to shadow another afternoon then when you're finished ask if they'd be willing to write you a substantial letter of rec.

 

[Stanelz]

Gunpoint.

 

[Stanelz]

totally kidding. meet one on one and thank them for the opportunity to shadow and express your plans to apply for school

Leave a good impression when you ask because thats how they will remember you and write the letter. Send a thank you card afterwards because on the off chance that you need to reapply later, you don't want to make it look like your are using them for a letter.

 

[BluntForceTrauma]

If possible, always ask in person, and do it at the end of a shadowing session like you said. Shows you care, shows you can communicate, shows you're not as wrapped up in your phone as the rest of your generation.

Definitely give them at least a month's heads up before the letter is due, but also give them a definitive date on when you'd like the letter back. I generally gave them a 2 week deadline, with over a month to go til I needed the letter. Gave them plenty of time and helped light a fire to get it done.