How to get a letter of rec from a shadowing experience?

[axelz165]

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I'm going to be shadowing a cardiologist for a month (48h total). I'd really love to get a letter of recommendation from him since it would look excellent on my application. Anyone have any tips for gleaning on out of a doctor?

Some background, I'm a pharmacy student and was in his office for a day as part of my rotations. I asked his secretary and ARNP if I could shadow him on my month off and they said they'd love to have me as they never get pharmacy students and would value me as a resource.

 

[SuaveCardigans]

Unless its for DO school requirements, don't.

 

[DBC03]

I simply asked. I shadowed a doctor for 3 months and asked him toward the end. He became a sort of mentor to me and had already offered to write a letter to a school where he is on the medical board. While I do not know him as well as some of my letter writers, I have had a professional relationship with him outside of medicine since 2010, so that helped as well.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Unless he has sway at a particular school (like DBC03's case) or served in some greater capacity like a PI, the letter doesn't carry much weight. What will his letter add in substance? Schools want LORs to show that you have the skill, drive and talent to succeed in a medical school curriculum and have the character assets to be a good doctor. Your ECs are going to show you only worked with him for 48 hours. What kind of strong character reference is that?

 

[bbbcccppp]

If he thinks you do excellent shadowing then ask. The letter will stand on its own if they like you


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