Problems with my DOC

[scaredoflife]

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Alright so I shadowed a Doctor who was D.O. from Fall of 2008 to Spring of 2009. For about 30 hours, about 2 hours a week for some weeks. I had school and work so could only do that much. The problem is that I have called twice and asked his Office manager if he could write me a letter and they were like okay they will get it mailed out.

I have sent a card to thank him for the opportunity to shadow him, sent him my PS and resume with school statistics of mine. So yet I have to call again and pressure them to get the letter in. Is there anyway to be nice and ask in a decent way that will get the letter in, or would be good to pressure them and mention that my secondaries depend on his letter? I mean I gave them an envelope and everything. I would hate to ask a new D.O. without shadowing them for a letter. Let me know how you guys would go about this situation. He knew before he let me shadow that I would need a letter of Rec.

 

[scaredoflife]

Hey I really appreciate the advice, yeah I didnt want to sound angry or mean. Yeah I mean I promise that if hey writes me this letter, I will write future students letters if I become a doctor haha.

 

[skybliss]

Something similar happened to me.

I visited the office and wrote a note to the doctor about the LOR. I think having a note sitting on their desk would be more tangible urgency and easier to act on than a phone message. I also tried to indicate the rush as obviously but indirectly as possible like ... "because time is becoming pressing, the university career center etc. " ... "I am excited to begin doing interviews." (hint hint)

Also, I would suggest asking in the note what time may be good to come back to pick up the letter which is another kind of hint hint that you need it soon. Good luck.

 

[GraceEuphoria]

I was in a similar situation last cycle because I was so late in the game and needed my letter ASAP. I find that sometimes it's easiest to just leave doctors letters (or emails, but they keep those kind of hush hush from what I've seen) rather than call because you can never catch them. The letter goes straight to them unlike a message from a nurse or receptionist. Even with mine this year, I dropped off a letter at the clinic myself (to avoid mailing delays) thanking him for the opportunity and requesting a letter.

Last year, however, when I was on the time crunch, I just nicely conveyed that I was under a bit of a time constraint, I gave him a timeline of about when I was looking to have it mailed, and then I said if he felt like his plate was too full at this point (essentially), to please just let me know and I would seek a letter elsewhere. I kind of played it off like I didn't want to inconvenience him because I waited too late you know?

In your case, you might just be better off with a similar approach but under the tone of "just wanting to check and see if you had my letter ready-- if you are slammed right now just please let me know and i can do my best to find someone else to cover it." Perhaps a little manipulative but it usually puts the pressure on nicely. Plus it's true, they are just busy people and forget things. He might just need another reminder. Good luck!