I am applying for the upcoming cycle and I just started Job shadowing an OT two months ago and have only shadowed her 3 times. I have been working on building a professional relationship with her. When is the right time to ask her for a recommendation? Any suggestions on how I should bring up the topic. I'm afraid she may say she does not know me very well to write one for me.
General Admissions & OTCAS OT LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION HELP
- Thread starter bbaidydo
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Have you only shadowed 3x in 2 months because those are the only opportunities the OT offered you or because of your own personal schedule? Definitely try to increase the frequency and duration of time you spend shadowing with this OT.
When do you need the LOR by? You want to give the OT at minimum 2 weeks to write it. Most of the places I shadowed had it written in their policy that they would not write LOR for less than 50 hours. It may be a good idea to review the volunteer documentation you filled out when you began shadowing (if applicable).
It's also a good idea to pop the question while you are still shadowing. This way, if the OT is willing, they will be cued so they can start to pay attention a little more closely to your performance, if they haven't already been doing so.
You may or may not realize this, but not every volunteer asks for a LOR. I know I shadowed in a few settings where I didn't need one. The OTs I ultimately asked were clinicians I really felt could speak to my positive qualities and the attributes that I have that made them believe I was a good candidate for OT school. Show the OT that you are considerate of their time (give notice) and that you are planning your application to allow enough time for the shadowing/evaluation process.
I realize that you may be coming up on some early deadlines. Really consider the kind of LOR you might receive now if the OT agreed to write one without spending enough time with you. IMO it is better (and was better for me) to submit a stronger application in October or November, even if that means missing out on a couple early deadlines.
I hope this information helps. Best of luck!
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Yes these are the opportunities the OT has offered me. I also shadow OTs at other settings but they only offer a certain amount of hours such as 8 hours. Another clinic I shadow at every two weeks a month puts me with a different OT each time. I have been trying to find a clinic that I can consistently shadow a OT for more hours. Thank you so much for your response.
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deleted948274
I would ask sooner rather than later! Both of the OTs I shadowed I did 40 hours with. I have found if you don’t ask while you are still shadowing they forget who you are due to the amount of students they get. I would just tell them your application requires a letter of support from an OT and ask if they would be willing to write one once you’ve reached X amount of hours shadowing with them.
I would also start a cumulative sheet(make sure you get their signature & contact info)to keep track of your OT hours if you are shadowing multiple therapists. OTs are very hard to track down and I’ve had multiple therapist switch jobs since I’ve shadowed them!!
