LOR from shadowing

[sibitrum]

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Hey all, had a question about a letter of recommendation. Should I get a letter from a doc I'm shadowing this term. I have around 40 hours with him and I currently do not have any letters from any other physician. If so, should I just ask for a "brief" letter or something to that effect?

Thanks for any help! 😎

 

[justdoit31]

A lot of schools like to see a physician letter of recommendation- I had one from my personal doctor whom I also shadowed.

I only used that letter if the school wanted 4 or more letters. I used professors who knew me better from study abroad experiences and science professors first.

 

[hazmat2]

It can't hurt to include one. However... I have had more than one dean of admissions say that they don't care about or even read recommendations from doctors whom you have shadowed. It mainly has to do with the fact that you do not do a single thing in a shadowing position other than just watch someone.

If you did actually help them out, then definitely call it a volunteer position, not a shadowing.

If it was a real shadowing position, just mention it in your essay as a form of validation (that it helped you in your decision to become a physician).

 

[MiniMoo]

I've heard on more than one occasion that a letter from an MD you shadowed is pretty much worthless. What can they really say about you besides "this individual asked well thought questions and was always on time"? If you helped out with procedures or did something meaningful while shadowing, then that's another story, but otherwise, I wouldn't bother.