Letters of Recommendation from Doc

[Struggling Pre-Med]

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Hi! A doctor I'm shadowing asked me to write a template for her letter of rec for me, what do you think is important for me to highlight in that template?

 

[theKingLT]

You shouldn't get a LOR from a physician you're just shadowing unless he/she is a DO and you're applying to DO schools

 

[Rachapkis]

Make a list of attributes you think are important in a medical student and/or a doctor (e.g., leadership, intellectual curiosity, cultural sensitivity, caring, etc.). Honestly evaluate which of these characteristics you have demonstrated (i) in your interactions with the doctor, and (ii) in your application application and CV (which you should provide to the doctor). Provide a topic sentence regarding each attribute you want to highlight along with a specific example showing (not telling) that you possess that attribute.

 

[Struggling Pre-Med]

You shouldn't get a LOR from a physician you're just shadowing unless he/she is a DO and you're applying to DO schools

Other than professors and my PI, who do you recommend that I get a LOR from?

 

[Struggling Pre-Med]

Make a list of attributes you think are important in a medical student and/or a doctor (e.g., leadership, intellectual curiosity, cultural sensitivity, caring, etc.). Honestly evaluate which of these characteristics you have demonstrated (i) in your interactions with the doctor, and (ii) in your application application and CV (which you should provide to the doctor). Provide a topic sentence regarding each attribute you want to highlight along with a specific example showing (not telling) that you possess that attribute.

Thank you!!

 

[theKingLT]

Other than professors and my PI, who do you recommend that I get a LOR from?

Someone who you've actively worked with in volunteering/work. Shadowing is too passive. Adcoms have said many times on this site that shadowing letters are rarely more than average, and even if they are, they don't get a lot of weight because the Adcoms know that all you were doing with that physician was shadowing. Remember everything from LOR's to personal statement to interviews are all about show, not tell. "X worked harder than any other volunteer and here's a cool personal story..." is a lot stronger than "X was attentive and asked questions". It's hard to show anything about yourself just through shadowing.

 

[rdyotz]

Some MD schools require a letter from a physician or clinician (university of Arizona definitely does, plus a few others I believe). So, definitely get the letter. Also, many DO schools accept an MD letter in lieu of a DO one (not all though).

 

[theKingLT]

Some MD schools require a letter from a physician or clinician (university of Arizona definitely does, plus a few others I believe). So, definitely get the letter. Also, many DO schools accept an MD letter in lieu of a DO one (not all though).

This would be another reason then that I was unaware of. Check if any schools on your list require it. An "active" physician letter from volunteering/job would still be better, but if shadowing really is your only option for a physician/clinician letter then you do what you gotta do.

 

[rdyotz]

This would be another reason then that I was unaware of. Check if any schools on your list require it. An "active" physician letter from volunteering/job would still be better, but if shadowing really is your only option for a physician/clinician letter then you do what you gotta do.

Agreed, a good letter from a physician is much better than the generic stuff from a shadowing letter.

 

[Shunsui]

Someone who you've actively worked with in volunteering/work. Shadowing is too passive. Adcoms have said many times on this site that shadowing letters are rarely more than average, and even if they are, they don't get a lot of weight because the Adcoms know that all you were doing with that physician was shadowing. Remember everything from LOR's to personal statement to interviews are all about show, not tell. "X worked harder than any other volunteer and here's a cool personal story..." is a lot stronger than "X was attentive and asked questions". It's hard to show anything about yourself just through shadowing.

what if you've known this doc since HS and is a family friend outside of medicine ? I believe there could be a lot more substance in a LOR in this case ... thoughts?

 

[theKingLT]

what if you've known this doc since HS and is a family friend outside of medicine ? I believe there could be a lot more substance in a LOR in this case ... thoughts?

Possibly, but Adcoms are looking for am objective viewpoint so just being a family friend doesn't really help and even be a negative. What have you done with him/her?