LOR from Optometrist

[achirum]

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I was just curious as to how long you all shadowed an optometrist before asking for a letter of recommendation.

Thanks!

 

[Habitual Rx]

0 hours. He is my OD (and also my employer).

Do you have an optometrist you regularly attend for eye exams? If you do, asking him or her would be the best option. If you don't, I would suggest start shadowing for a little bit, get your name into a couple offices (maybe even land a job as an optometric assistant) and then ask when you are ready to apply.

 

[fla2009]

I know this isn't the answer you prob want to hear, but I interned at an eye clinic for about 270 hours before asking for a letter. But, the only requirement from the optometrist was that you had been there for 3 months.

My optometrist at home said he would write me one as well, but I haven't shadowed him at all so I'm not going to get one from him.

 

[achirum]

Well thank you all for the replies.

I currently am set up to shadow an optometrist that has given me primary eye care in the past. She told me I could go in whenever I wanted and however long I wanted. So, I know I could very well shadow her from now until the end of September and then ask for a letter for this years applications, but at the same time, I don't want her to get annoyed with me.

 

[dukeopt]

I have shadowed 5 optometrist, but none longer than 3 days. I ended up getting a letter from a guy that graduated in 2004 and I had only observed him for 4 hours. He volunteered to write a letter and he seemed like he would do a good job. I think it just depends on the vibe you get from the optometrist. I don't think it's hard to get a "good" letter of rec, but it might be hard to get an outstanding letter of rec. Hope this helps!

 

[achirum]

I have shadowed 5 optometrist, but none longer than 3 days. I ended up getting a letter from a guy that graduated in 2004 and I had only observed him for 4 hours. He volunteered to write a letter and he seemed like he would do a good job. I think it just depends on the vibe you get from the optometrist. I don't think it's hard to get a "good" letter of rec, but it might be hard to get an outstanding letter of rec. Hope this helps!

Yeah helps out a lot actually!