Letters of recommendation when you don't know a PT?

[Daniel M. Pitta]

I see a lot of programs require one (or multiple) letters of rec from licensed physical therapists. I've worked at two separate outpatient clinics, but each PT claimed they were too busy to write me a letter. I currently work for a chiropractor but apparently PTCAS requires their license # in order to verify the letter of rec so basically it's no good. What do I do?

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[PT2Bee]

"too busy" = blowing smoke up your ass. Letters can take as little as half an hour. If you're telling me they can't sacrifice 30 minutes of a part of one day in an entire work week, you might want to inquire more about their reasons for not wanting to write. If they don't want to write you one for any other reason, the "I don't have time" is a popular cop out that I have heard used. If you can't find a PT to write you one, you need to apply to schools that don't require references from one or don't require references at all. I find it ridiculous that you worked in 2 different clinics and both won't write, good luck.

 

[SwampPT]

I see a lot of programs require one (or multiple) letters of rec from licensed physical therapists. I've worked at two separate outpatient clinics, but each PT claimed they were too busy to write me a letter. I currently work for a chiropractor but apparently PTCAS requires their license # in order to verify the letter of rec so basically it's no good. What do I do?

I've never encountered that problem. Every PT I shadowed was more than happy to write a LOR. Every PT has been in the situation of needing LOR's from a PT. I would shadow a couple different PT's. I would guess that "too busy" means "I don't like this guy".

 

[Bluecase]

Ask if you can write it for them and have them sign it or send it in.

Just being realistic - this is how these letters work when you are past a certain age or time point in your career.

On a side note - I remember when I asked someone when applying to PT school and they said they weren't comfortable - so I just asked someone else and it was fine.

 

[TheDarkKnight14]

Wow they told you they were too busy? Two different clinics? That's crazy. The letter of rec form isn't even that long. It's literally clicking on bubbles and then the length of the written part doesn't even have to be that long...

 

[ktachiba]

I know that one of the PTs that I shadowed told me that they only wrote LOR if you worked there for over a year 😡 (and this was after I volunteered for over 3 months)...luckily, the other PT that I shadowed was willing to write me a LOR...moral of the story is that you should ask the PT before you start shadowing what their rules of writing LOR are. I wish I did before I wasted 3 months shadowing and doing their busy work for free.

 

[Archline]

Ask if you can write it for them and have them sign it or send it in.

Just being realistic - this is how these letters work when you are past a certain age or time point in your career.

On a side note - I remember when I asked someone when applying to PT school and they said they weren't comfortable - so I just asked someone else and it was fine.

This is good advice

 

[tweaze]

It may be that they didn't feel comfortable writing a letter on your behalf and didn't want to say so. It could also be that they are legitimately busy, and it's more time out of an already packed day. In any case, it's better to have an enthusiastic letter writer than a lukewarm one. Have you completed observation hours in a variety of settings? If not, go into your next with a solid game plan to get a LOR.

One of my letter writers was a PT I hadn't known previously. When I first met with her, I explained that I would need an LOR at the end of my time there, and asked if she would be comfortable writing one if we developed a good rapport. She stated she would, and then I worked hard to put my best foot forward over the next few months - dressing professionally, being quick and responsive when asked to help out, asking questions when appropriate, and doing follow up research on what I saw. Observation is not the most exciting thing, but I think it's crucial to remain engaged, think critically, and engage with your PT as much as possible (without being annoying) so they get a sense of who you are when it comes time to write that letter.

I think it will unnecessarily limit or kill your application completely if you don't get a letter from a PT, but you still have plenty of time to make it happen.

 

[DesertPT]

I find it ridiculous that you worked in 2 different clinics and both won't write, good luck.

Agreed. Not a good sign.

 

[DesertPT]

Ask if you can write it for them and have them sign it or send it in.

I'm not sure this would really be possible logistically with the way it is done through PTCAS. Maybe, but sounds risky.

 

[DesertPT]

It may be that they didn't feel comfortable writing a letter on your behalf and didn't want to say so. It could also be that they are legitimately busy, and it's more time out of an already packed day. In any case, it's better to have an enthusiastic letter writer than a lukewarm one. Have you completed observation hours in a variety of settings? If not, go into your next with a solid game plan to get a LOR.

One of my letter writers was a PT I hadn't known previously. When I first met with her, I explained that I would need an LOR at the end of my time there, and asked if she would be comfortable writing one if we developed a good rapport. She stated she would, and then I worked hard to put my best foot forward over the next few months - dressing professionally, being quick and responsive when asked to help out, asking questions when appropriate, and doing follow up research on what I saw. Observation is not the most exciting thing, but I think it's crucial to remain engaged, think critically, and engage with your PT as much as possible (without being annoying) so they get a sense of who you are when it comes time to write that letter.

Good advice here. Agree completely.

I think it will unnecessarily limit or kill your application completely if you don't get a letter from a PT, but you still have plenty of time to make it happen.

Total app killer. I have never seen a PT school that didn't require a letter from a PT. Maybe there are a couple, but I think your odds of getting another letter from another PT are a lot better than finding these schools (if they exist) and then actually getting in to one of them.

 

[UjaiiB3]

I wouldn't worry about the therapists who said no and just keep plugging forward instead. Maybe look for a new setting to volunteer in, one that will inspire you and make you want to ask a lot of questions and interact more with PTs. Observation hours and LORs are tough when you're balancing school and work(I've been there), but I think it's important to work to make connections with PT's who can account for who you are as a person, as well as your potential in PT. You could probably get a letter from almost any PT you spend some time with, but I think it's better to take time to build those connections so you LORs stand out.

 

[brooklynyc]

That's really ****ty of those PTs, assuming you were worthy enough of a volunteer for them to write a LOR for.

 

[DesertPT]

If two PTs that you worked for won't write you a letter, that's a little suspicious. But I will say, I had a PT agree to write me a letter and then never do it. Said she would do it and then never responded to emails/texts. I ended up having to scramble to get one last minute from a different PT after she totally flaked. Some people are just bogus like that.