Recommendation letter from volunteer work...

[sunmed]

Hi, I have a question about from whom to get the recommendation letter.

I volunteered in two departments at a hospital. I am lucky enough to be in these sugical departmnets in which i have close contact with patients, nurses and doctors. So basically the choices are:
1. the volunteer office manager
2. the nurses which i worked closely with
3. the doctors who know me and see my volunteer.


I also do not know how to get recommendation letter from other shadowed doctors. I only shawdowed four doctors, but once or twice individually.

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[Catalystik]

At our local hospitals it is the volunteer coordinator that writes such letters, but to get one you must work at least 50 hours first. A medical professional in a given unit is not going to know the full number of hours you worked, your reliability in showing up for assigned shifts, and all the departments you got experience in.

 

[booswim542]

Sunmed -
It is very good to have a letter from a physician - not essential, but very helpful to your application. So here's my 2 cents: Do you feel like you got to know any of the doctors well enough that they would be able to contribute positively to your application? If so, do not hesitate to use them for a letter. Make a packet with your personal statement, resume, and include your GPA to give to letter writers. Also, if you feel it necessary, sit down and talk to them so you are coming from the same angle. If you do not feel like you could get a good letter out of them, then use the volunteer coordinator or nurses. Remember, your letters speak about who you are as a person. Your stats are apparent already. Just choose who knows you best as a person. Good luck!