Letters of Recommendation HELP!

[GoBlue24]

Hi everyone,

I had several questions on obtaining LOR's from dentists and dental specialists.

1) Two of the dentists that I have shadowed have confirmed that they are willing to write me letter of recommendations. Of the two, I have shadowed the general dentist for 30 hours and an endodontist for 8 hours. The dilemma I have is that I don't know which LOR to use for my application. My general dentist is extremely nice, engages in discussion before most shadowing sessions, and would write me a good LOR. I've shadowed him for a while too. However, my endodontist is simply amazing. He literally teaches me things every minute of shadowing, is appreciative and sympathetic of everything I say or do, and quite frankly, is a much more comfortable person to be around than my general dentist (less awkward, I guess). However, I've only shadowed him for about 8 (soon to be 12) hours.

I feel as though dental schools appreciate a LOR from a general dentist more than they do from a specialist such as an endodontist, especially if I've been shadowing there for 30+ hours. Is this true? On the flip side, I know that a well-written LOR is also important no matter which dentist it is from/how long you've shadowed there.

2) How would you go about the LOR process once a dentist has confirmed that he/she will write you one? I am going to see both dentists again this week. I know I should send him/her my resume and a prepared envelope. However, what else should I do? Is there a length requirement for a LOR (1 page, 2 pages, etc.). If not, do you think there is a recommended length? Is only a signature required for it to be official (before being sent to the LOR center at my school). I'm just cautious because both dentists are not too familiar with writing LOR's and I would hate to have them rewrite another one if the first one was invalid.

Am I just dumb, or is there an official guideline for all of this. If anyone has experience with my questions, please let me know. Any help from those who have been through this process would be much appreciated!!!!!!

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[FLOSS UR TEETH]

Hi everyone,

I had several questions on obtaining LOR's from dentists and dental specialists.

1) Two of the dentists that I have shadowed have confirmed that they are willing to write me letter of recommendations. Of the two, I have shadowed the general dentist for 30 hours and an endodontist for 8 hours. The dilemma I have is that I don't know which LOR to use for my application. My general dentist is extremely nice, engages in discussion before most shadowing sessions, and would write me a good LOR. I've shadowed him for a while too. However, my endodontist is simply amazing. He literally teaches me things every minute of shadowing, is appreciative and sympathetic of everything I say or do, and quite frankly, is a much more comfortable person to be around than my general dentist (less awkward, I guess). However, I've only shadowed him for about 8 (soon to be 12) hours.

I feel as though dental schools appreciate a LOR from a general dentist more than they do from a specialist such as an endodontist, especially if I've been shadowing there for 30+ hours. Is this true? On the flip side, I know that a well-written LOR is also important no matter which dentist it is from/how long you've shadowed there.

2) How would you go about the LOR process once a dentist has confirmed that he/she will write you one? I am going to see both dentists again this week. I know I should send him/her my resume and a prepared envelope. However, what else should I do? Is there a length requirement for a LOR (1 page, 2 pages, etc.). If not, do you think there is a recommended length? Is only a signature required for it to be official (before being sent to the LOR center at my school). I'm just cautious because both dentists are not too familiar with writing LOR's and I would hate to have them rewrite another one if the first one was invalid.

Am I just dumb, or is there an official guideline for all of this. If anyone has experience with my questions, please let me know. Any help from those who have been through this process would be much appreciated!!!!!!

Collect both of the recommendations! I used Interfolio to store ALL my LOR's because it allowed me to have complete control of them. I asked for my LOR's to be completed and sent to Interfolio 1 month before AADSAS opened so I could leave any room for error.

Only the admissions staff at a specific school will know whether a GP would be better or a Specialist. Mine came from a specialist and I have gotten several acceptances. I did send a GP one to a few schools that required it on top of the specialist as well. AADSAS allows for 4 LOR's but you can send more thru Interfolio. Good questions though.