Shadowing lor

[itsallgood19]

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I just finished my freshman year undergrad and am currently shadowing a MD physician. By the end of the shadowing experience I will have about 40 hrs observing him and feel he is worthy of asking for an LOR. My question is when is it appropriate to ask the phyisician for the LOR because I have a while before I apply to med schools and all. Is it usually right after the shadowing experience, no matter what year you do it, or is it better to wait until application time to go back to him/her to ask for one?

 

[hello0]

You can either ask now and store it in a letter service like Interfolio while he is fresh in your mind...However, I don't think that's necessary...I asked a physician I shadowed 2 years ago and he was happy to help, just gotta give them a CV, personal statement, etc.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

I just finished my freshman year undergrad and am currently shadowing a MD physician. By the end of the shadowing experience I will have about 40 hrs observing him and feel he is worthy of asking for an LOR. My question is when is it appropriate to ask the phyisician for the LOR because I have a while before I apply to med schools and all. Is it usually right after the shadowing experience, no matter what year you do it, or is it better to wait until application time to go back to him/her to ask for one?

Unless he knows you very well, a LOR from a physician you shadowed is almost useless. I think I remember LizzyM saying it was one of the most overrated parts of premedical applications. If med schools really wanted one, they'd make it a requirement. What they really care about are letters that speak to your personality and academic strength. They don't want to waste time reading letters on how good you were at following directions.

 

[itsallgood19]

Well he is my pediatrician and i do feel he would write me a very nice and professional LOR that can potentially help me. And also shouldn't every pre-med at least try to get a letter from an MD or DO because don't schools possibly "require" you to present one? I couldve sworn i read that like MD/DO LORs are needed for med schools.

 

[orthomyxo]

Unless he knows you very well, a LOR from a physician you shadowed is almost useless. I think I remember LizzyM saying it was one of the most overrated parts of premedical applications. If med schools really wanted one, they'd make it a requirement. What they really care about are letters that speak to your personality and academic strength. They don't want to waste time reading letters on how good you were at following directions.

This. The goal isn't to race to see how many LORs you can get before you apply. Anyone can get 6 (or whatever) OK letters. The point is to get ones that are damn good and meaningful.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that the only schools that require a physician LOR are a few DO schools.

 

[NickNaylor]

Well he is my pediatrician and i do feel he would write me a very nice and professional LOR that can potentially help me. And also shouldn't every pre-med at least try to get a letter from an MD or DO because don't schools possibly "require" you to present one? I couldve sworn i read that like MD/DO LORs are needed for med schools.

No. What could a person you shadowed for 40 hours possibly say about you? You demonstrated an interest in medicine? You asked good questions?

I think to take you seriously you need to work with the physician in a more academic environment. Then comments from a shadowing experience might have a greater impact.

 

[itsallgood19]

Honestly I'm a little confused. I do believe he could right me a meaningful one because he's known me for so long, gets along very well with me, and has a great relationship with me. But I am just wondering if MD/DO schools require a LOR from a doctor? I've read stuff for DO schools saying the letter can be from a DO or MD or some just want a DO one. But in general is it required in the first place?

 

[sector9]

But in general is it required in the first place?

No, except some DO schools

http://ccc.byu.edu/ppa/sites/byu.edu.ppa/files/prehealth/handouts/premedical/letter_of_recommendation_requirements.pdf
ETA: This list is made for BYU students, and since BYU doesn't have a committee letter, they ignore requirements about committee letters. But this PDF will tell you if a school wants a physician letter still, which is what your question is

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Well he is my pediatrician and i do feel he would write me a very nice and professional LOR that can potentially help me. And also shouldn't every pre-med at least try to get a letter from an MD or DO because don't schools possibly "require" you to present one? I couldve sworn i read that like MD/DO LORs are needed for med schools.

I have not come across any schools that require one so far. I have heard a few DO schools have a physician LOR requirement, as others have mentioned. Most schools only have the basic 2 science letters requirement, with some having an additional non-science requirement.

If you have known this person on a personal level for a long time then go for it, but remember that adcoms are reading through thousands of these letters, so for them it's quality not quantity. As NickNaylor suggested, one amazing letter from a research advisor is worth more than any amount of letters you can get from physicians you've shadowed. The goal is to use your LORs to make yourself a more memorable candidate that they will want to interview, not just send in the maximum number of letters possible.

 

[NickNaylor]

Honestly I'm a little confused. I do believe he could right me a meaningful one because he's known me for so long, gets along very well with me, and has a great relationship with me. But I am just wondering if MD/DO schools require a LOR from a doctor? I've read stuff for DO schools saying the letter can be from a DO or MD or some just want a DO one. But in general is it required in the first place?

Meaningful is not necessary useful. You should get a letter if he can do the following:

• Speak to your potential as a physician, or
• Speak to your academic ability, especially in relation to other students

A letter that says how nice you are and how mature you've become since he first met you is useless. That does nothing to demonstrate that you're ready for a career in medicine.

I'm not saying don't get the letter. But if you're going to get a physician letter, make sure it's actually useful.

 

[itsallgood19]

Okay I am really new to this physician LOR concept but how does it work...like the physician gives you the letter its not like hs where you use the waiver system and all right? and i'm guessing the letter is literally a letter and not like a "common application" standard letter of reccomendation form right? sry i know i sound stupid right now but i need some clarification before considering whether i wanna ask him for one. even when i asked initially to shadow he told me he would be willing to write me a strong LOR i do believe and entrust in doc hes my pediatrician too...and i love pediatrics as a possible field of choice but that's another story im really young to even have my heart set out on any particular specialty just throwing it out there.

 

[NickNaylor]

The physician shouldn't give you the letter directly. You may not have to sign a waiver, but at some point you have to disclose if you waived your rights to view the letter. Either that or confidentiality in the letter is understood.

You're getting way too ahead of yourself. Keep in touch with the doctor and get a letter from him a few months before you're planning on applying.