Shadowed a Physician

[csx]

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I shadowed a physician for a while and he will be writing me a LOR. I'm a little worried over my shadowing experience however since he does not really know me that well. During our time together I got him to talk in length about himself and his experiences but he never really got to know me. I sat, I listened, and I conversed appropriately. No appropriate times really arose in which I could talk about myself and for him to get to know more about me and what I've done.

Do you think this will be an issue in terms of writing the LOR for me?

 

[NickNaylor]

I shadowed a physician for a while and he will be writing me a LOR. I'm a little worried over my shadowing experience however since he does not really know me that well. During our time together I got him to talk in length about himself and his experiences but he never really got to know me. I sat, I listened, and I conversed appropriately. No appropriate times really arose in which I could talk about myself and for him to get to know more about me and what I've done.

Do you think this will be an issue in terms of writing the LOR for me?

Think about what this person is going to say about you that will be valuable to an admissions committee. LORs are not valuable just because they say nice things about you. What is he going to possibly say? You did a great job shadowing?

Skip it unless he knows you in another context.

 

[csx]

I forgot to mention he wants me to provide him with my PS and a reseme' too prior to him writing the LOR. Still not worthwhile? Was it a bad experience? general thoughts on my situation?

 

[NickNaylor]

I forgot to mention he wants me to provide him with my PS and a reseme' too prior to him writing the LOR. Still not worthwhile? Was it a bad experience? general thoughts on my situation?

That is pretty typical. You can still get the LOR if you want - I don't think it's necessarily a bad idea - but try to get other letters to send to schools. Send this one if you get the sense that it is truly outstanding or if you are short on LOR writers. The problem is that you want a letter that will comment on your academic prowess or can otherwise comment on your ability to work well with groups/organizations (e.g., letter from a PI, volunteer supervisor, supervisor at an organization/group you spent significant time working with, etc.). Letters from someone you shadowed don't really help you because the context in which the person knows you is limited. Sure, you can demonstrate interest and be a nice guy, but that's not all that useful to you for getting into medical school. It'd be better if you were also doing research with this physician or had him as a professor, for example.

The primary exception to this is if you're applying to DO schools. Many (most?) DO schools require a letter from a DO, so that's something to keep in mind if you're considering going that route. I don't know of any MD programs that have a similar requirement, but they might be out there.

 

[Euxox]

but he never really got to know me

If you have other options, never get an LOR from someone that you don't feel knows you very well. It will be a mediocre letter at best.

And I agree with NickNaylor: I wouldn't recommend getting a letter from someone you shadowed unless you are applying to a DO school that requires such a letter. Shadowing is a passive activity, so the letter writer will not be able to attest to your academic abilities, creativity, teamwork skills, leadership, and so on. The only thing physicians that you shadowed can attest to is your ability to stand quietly in the corner while they spoke to patients. Even if this physician takes bits out of your resume and says "X" has is a strong student with a great GPA, adcoms won't put much weight on it because he/she will only have known you through shadowing.