Nothing is ever easy.............

[GenusTide]

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Ok, so say a premed student is scheduled for a interview in a couple of days. Everything is taken care of except his DO rec letter. This student has had hundreds of hours of shadow/volunteer time at a local hospital in which he asked a ER doc for a letter. He/She agreed. Over the course of several months said premed has shadowed endless hours in hopes of really showing the Dr their motivation for medicine. Over the course of these several months said Dr has stated they would get to it but they have been busy, forgot, etc... Now, said student is days away from the Interview and still no letter. Hhhhmmmmm...... what to do? Should another Dr be asked risking possibly offending the original Dr? Should patients prevail in hopes of it being submitted in the next day or so? Write another email again stating how much He/She appreciates them writing it and again stating the deadline is quickly approaching?

 

[Goro]

Should another Dr be asked risking possibly offending the original Dr?
How would the first Dr find out about the second? You think he's actually be thinking, "why, Joe never followed up on that letter I promised to write. he must have gotten another one, the ingrate!"

No, one one thinks like that. Many pre-meds ask for more than one letter.


Should patients prevail in hopes of it being submitted in the next day or so?

You mean "patience", right? I assume you have a letter from an MD/DO in your packet, or you wouldn't have gotten the interview. Personally, I never leave anything to chance, so crossing fingers isn't a good strategy.


Write another email again stating how much He/She appreciates them writing it and again stating the deadline is quickly approaching?

Do exactly that! Emphacize politely and humbly that this letetr is extremely important and helpful or your career aspirations. In the absolute worst-case scenario, the interviewer may ask "you did all this shadowing with Dr X, how come you don't have a letetr from him???"

You know what the correct answer should be, so don't sweat it. Good luck on your interview!

 

[DrWily]

Three things:

1) Do you have another physician letter or is this LECOM?
2) How long ago did you ask for the letter?
3) Why did you wait "days before interview" to post this?

 

[ParacrineAgent]

I had my letter writers sending letters to interfolio back in April to ensure I had time for any odd delays or in case I had to ask someone else. Part of the weeding out process for getting to medical school is being able to make things happen. If you can't get someone to write a letter, are you going to convince an unruly patient to take their medication?

That being said, in your place, I would give them a call if possible, not an e-mail, and explain that you are running out of time. If they can't do it, then they would have no reason to be angry with you for asking someone else.

 

[GenusTide]

The issue was in the fact that I have had close working relationship with this hospital and I did not want to step on anyone's toes. I come from the fire department mentality in that one upper level can make or break your future at a particular department. Right or wrong, I don't know but that is just how it is. This hospital also is a potential rotation site and I did not want to have any sort of negative stigma as I really like the hospital. With that being said, I did go and personally talk to the Doc and have resolved the issue. I am very grateful they are writing it and just have to remember to let the little stuff go and trust it will work out. I am just hoping everything will go smoothly.
To answer the questions:
1) yes, I have a great letter from my medical director which is an MD
2) The letter was in the works for over 3 month's
3) many factors on why I waited but mainly I did not want to seem ungrateful or not believe they would do what they promised to.
4) I did have a couple other DO's who were willing who said they would write it in a pinch but I wanted this particular one from someone who knew me best.

So, thank you guys! I appreciate the advice and I am glad it all worked out.

 

[DrWily]

The issue was in the fact that I have had close working relationship with this hospital and I did not want to step on anyone's toes. I come from the fire department mentality in that one upper level can make or break your future at a particular department. Right or wrong, I don't know but that is just how it is. This hospital also is a potential rotation site and I did not want to have any sort of negative stigma as I really like the hospital. With that being said, I did go and personally talk to the Doc and have resolved the issue. I am very grateful they are writing it and just have to remember to let the little stuff go and trust it will work out. I am just hoping everything will go smoothly.
To answer the questions:
1) yes, I have a great letter from my medical director which is an MD
2) The letter was in the works for over 3 month's
3) many factors on why I waited but mainly I did not want to seem ungrateful or not believe they would do what they promised to.
4) I did have a couple other DO's who were willing who said they would write it in a pinch but I wanted this particular one from someone who knew me best.

So, thank you guys! I appreciate the advice and I am glad it all worked out.

Glad it worked out for you 👍

 

[Jnet389]

Why do people act like it's someone else in the situation?? This site is anonymous...

 

[Iliketoytles]

I think he was cleverly emulating someone who acts like they are explaining their "friend's" situation as a subtle way to mock them. It's like... deceptive deception. Well done OP.

Anywho, glad you got your answer GeniusTide.

 

[GenusTide]

I think he was cleverly emulating someone who acts like they are explaining their "friend's" situation as a subtle way to mock them. It's like... deceptive deception. Well done OP.

Anywho, glad you got your answer GeniusTide.

Working on my creative writing 😀