No Letter from Dentist - Problem?

[ForUs_J&S]

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Hi everyone,

I am applying for the 2017 cycle and plan to submit my application in June, latest early July. I do have a committee at my school who will write me a letter. They write a comprehensive letter and attach the individual letters I submit as well.

Many schools require 3 individual letters consisting of faculty and a dentist. But many do say that if a committee letter is available, it can substitute the 3 individual letters. For example, from UMich,

Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required. All letters must be submitted to AADSAS; instructions are provided in the application.

• Two letters of recommendation must be from science professors (instructors with whom you've taken a course, have given you a grade and can write about your academic qualities), and one letter of recommendation from a non-science professor OR a dentist OR an employer. It is strongly encouraged that your science letter be from a basic science instructor.
• Alternatively, some institutions offer evaluation letters written from a preprofessional committee. This is acceptable in lieu of the three letters of recommendation.

If I get a committee letter but do not have a letter from a dentist, is this a negative? Anyone have experience with this? I did shadow a dentist, but getting is letter is difficult for another reason. I'm trying to find another dentist I can shadow and get a letter from but with limited time and difficulty finding someone who will let me come in, it may not be a possibility.

Thanks!

 

[JLT223]

It's always a good idea to have a letter from a dentist.

 

[fogorvostan]

I would get a letter from a dentist.

 

[PocketRocket]

I started shadowing April of last year and by august I accumulated around 80 hours. You can submit your application in June/July and then add a letter from a dentist by the end of August/ September, October/November even. Just make sure you tell your dentist before you start shadowing that you will be needing a rec letter. I didn't and it was a bit awkward when I asked on my last day haha

 

[Tman26]

Hi everyone,

I am applying for the 2017 cycle and plan to submit my application in June, latest early July. I do have a committee at my school who will write me a letter. They write a comprehensive letter and attach the individual letters I submit as well.

Many schools require 3 individual letters consisting of faculty and a dentist. But many do say that if a committee letter is available, it can substitute the 3 individual letters. For example, from UMich,

Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required. All letters must be submitted to AADSAS; instructions are provided in the application.

• Two letters of recommendation must be from science professors (instructors with whom you've taken a course, have given you a grade and can write about your academic qualities), and one letter of recommendation from a non-science professor OR a dentist OR an employer. It is strongly encouraged that your science letter be from a basic science instructor.
• Alternatively, some institutions offer evaluation letters written from a preprofessional committee. This is acceptable in lieu of the three letters of recommendation.

If I get a committee letter but do not have a letter from a dentist, is this a negative? Anyone have experience with this? I did shadow a dentist, but getting is letter is difficult for another reason. I'm trying to find another dentist I can shadow and get a letter from but with limited time and difficulty finding someone who will let me come in, it may not be a possibility.

Thanks!

I always think that explaining your situation, concerns, and hopes are important to people that you need to help you. I would go visit several different dentists and be honest--say something along the lines," The application cycle is coming up in several months, could I shadow you, get to know each other, and have you write a letter of recommendation for me?"

As long as you are kind, understanding, and patient, I think many dentists would not have an issue with this. If they do have an issue, they aren't the ones you want writing you a letter.