DO Letter problem.

[andi_cvr]

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So the DO I shadowed hasn't sent my evaluations or letters yet. What do you think would be the best/most efficient/least rude way to get him to send good letters asap?
Thanks.

 

[dr.z]

So the DO I shadowed hasn't sent my evaluations or letters yet. What do you think would be the best/most efficient/least rude way to get him to send good letters asap?
Thanks.

Have you tried to speak to him in person? I think this will be the fastest way.

 

[andi_cvr]

Have you tried to speak to him in person? I think this will be the fastest way.

Now that I am back in Waco that should be easy enough. I just wondered if it would be more polite to call. I don't want it to seem confrontational. At the same time, I am kind of annoyed that my letters aren't in. But on the other hand, I felt weird about asking for them in the first place. I don't really think the schools should require them.

 

[HunterGatherer]

If you have the email of the DO that would be great. whether you call, email, or whatever be patient. Tell the DO how well things have gone for you academically, MCAT scores, and how everything is in place(LORs from committee, primary app, and 2ndry app) and you are just waiting on the DO letters. Remind him the interview season is almost over and you have no interviews yet. Don't forget to wish Happy Holidays.

Ask if it can be done by Wednesday. Call on Friday to follow up. You need to create a tangible sense of urgency without being a jerk. skip sarcasm and jokes if it is email since that can be misread.

Also you may want to consider looking for a backup letter writer if it is not too much trouble.

I thought my DO letter was going to be the fastest but it turned out to take 3 months.

Now that I am back in Waco that should be easy enough. I just wondered if it would be more polite to call. I don't want it to seem confrontational. At the same time, I am kind of annoyed that my letters aren't in. But on the other hand, I felt weird about asking for them in the first place. I don't really think the schools should require them.

 

[scpod]

So the DO I shadowed hasn't sent my evaluations or letters yet. What do you think would be the best/most efficient/least rude way to get him to send good letters asap?
Thanks.

I'll agree with what HunterGatherer said, but also make sure that you sent him/her a stamped, addressed envelope along with that letter. I also like to send a separate page with a resume and list of extracuriculars and awards in case they get stuck on what to say in the letter. Make it as easy as possible. I've even sent a sample of another letter of rec I received along as an example when they take too long.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Now that I am back in Waco that should be easy enough. I just wondered if it would be more polite to call. I don't want it to seem confrontational. At the same time, I am kind of annoyed that my letters aren't in. But on the other hand, I felt weird about asking for them in the first place. I don't really think the schools should require them.

I'd just walk right into the office when I know they are there.

I did this. FYI: My recommending physician was in the Waco area.

You could also call. Letters are impersonal, stupid, and waste too much time.

 

[andi_cvr]

If you have the email of the DO that would be great. whether you call, email, or whatever be patient. Tell the DO how well things have gone for you academically, MCAT scores, and how everything is in place(LORs from committee, primary app, and 2ndry app) and you are just waiting on the DO letters. Remind him the interview season is almost over and you have no interviews yet. Don't forget to wish Happy Holidays.

Ask if it can be done by Wednesday. Call on Friday to follow up. You need to create a tangible sense of urgency without being a jerk. skip sarcasm and jokes if it is email since that can be misread.

Also you may want to consider looking for a backup letter writer if it is not too much trouble.

I thought my DO letter was going to be the fastest but it turned out to take 3 months.

I really wish I had his email address; that would make things much easier. I had never heard of osteopathic medicine before I started applying to medical school this summer, so finding a DO to shadow and everything was really last minute for me. It would be really difficult to find another letter writer. I think I will write a new resume/personal statement type thing and go by his office on Monday. I actually have two interviews already scheduled without the letter (WVSOM 1/19 and LECOM-FL 1/24), but both schools do require a letter to complete my file. Maybe if I let him know the dates of my interviews this will encourage him to get the letters in by these dates. Anyway, thanks for the advice. 🙂

 

[andi_cvr]

I'll agree with what HunterGatherer said, but also make sure that you sent him/her a stamped, addressed envelope along with that letter. I also like to send a separate page with a resume and list of extracuriculars and awards in case they get stuck on what to say in the letter. Make it as easy as possible. I've even sent a sample of another letter of rec I received along as an example when they take too long.

I gave him addressed envelopes already, and most of the schools I applied to had forms. What was included in your sample letter of recommendation? I wasn't really sure what to tell him to do for the schools that just asked for letters.