Dentist refused LoR.. what do I do!

[Jlm50]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hey all,
I shadowed 30 to 35 hours with one Dr but it's been over the course of almost 2 years. I asked him if he would write me a letter of recommendation and he said no because he hasn't interacted with me outside of shadowing. I'm applying this 2018 cycle so I'm freaking out on what I should do. Do I just not get a letter from a dentist? Or should I shadow somewhere else regularly and ask them after about 30 hrs?
I'm getting a committee letter which fulfills the LOR requirement for most schools I believe but I was counting on including one from a dentist as well.

What do you all suggest? All my other letters are strong and I'm getting one from the dental lab that I've shadowed at.

 

[DrSdreen]

Find another one.

 

[Likkriue]

30 hours is not a long time.

 

[Jlm50]

That's the time I found most commonly online.
How do most Pre-Dentals do it? Should I do like 15 hrs a week and if a school ask for a letter in a supplemental, hope that I can ask the dentist then?

 

[Likkriue]

If you shadowed 30 hours over 2 years that means the shadowing must've been too inconsistent. Shadowing 3-4 hours a week for a prolong period of time is better than doing 15 in one week.

The norm is 100 on these forums.

 

[ncide]

That's the time I found most commonly online.
How do most Pre-Dentals do it? Should I do like 15 hrs a week and if a school ask for a letter in a supplemental, hope that I can ask the dentist then?

Minimum for most schools is 100. I had somewhere around 4000 but that's not the norm.

You still have time to shadow at another office and ask for a letter there. Most people are more willing to write letters than the doctor you shadowed.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

You'll be good. Find another dentist and start shadowing ASAP. You can accumulate 100 hours easily within a month to a month and a half. Even if you don't have the letter in by July you'll be more than ok

 

[Jlm50]

If you shadowed 30 hours over 2 years that means the shadowing must've been too inconsistent. Shadowing 3-4 hours a week for a prolong period of time is better than doing 15 in one week.

The norm is 100 on these forums.

I'm sorry, I don't think I worded my statement correctly. I meant for other people who also got denied an LOR, people were suggesting to do 30 hrs and ask.

 

[Jlm50]

I appreciate everyones replies!
I think I will find another Dr. to shadow and shadow for 4 or 5 hours a week, long term. Does that sound like a good plan?

 

[Likkriue]

I appreciate everyones replies!
I think I will find another Dr. to shadow and shadow for 4 or 5 hours a week, long term. Does that sound like a good plan?

Yes that sounds good.

 

[Michael_Scott]

I just asked my dentist to write me one.
Find one and ask them can you shadow with the intention of getting an LOR. You can even make it "easy" for them by giving them "points" (students sometimes write their own LOR, seen it a lot)

 

[Chuckycheese124]

shadow another dentist for 30 hours minimum and get the LOR.

 

[comatose]

Hey all,
I shadowed 30 to 35 hours with one Dr but it's been over the course of almost 2 years. I asked him if he would write me a letter of recommendation and he said no because he hasn't interacted with me outside of shadowing. I'm applying this 2018 cycle so I'm freaking out on what I should do. Do I just not get a letter from a dentist? Or should I shadow somewhere else regularly and ask them after about 30 hrs?
I'm getting a committee letter which fulfills the LOR requirement for most schools I believe but I was counting on including one from a dentist as well.

What do you all suggest? All my other letters are strong and I'm getting one from the dental lab that I've shadowed at.

Is this a new requirement for dental school? If not just get an LOR from a couple of your professors like most applicants do.and is shadowing even a requirement? I only shadowed my dentist like twice I think.

 

[711769]

Is this a new requirement for dental school? If not just get an LOR from a couple of your professors like most applicants do.and is shadowing even a requirement? I only shadowed my dentist like twice I think.

Shadowing is a MUST. On average people have around 100 hrs of shadowing. For example, new york dental NEEDS 100 hrs of shadowing from you or else they wont even consider you.