Shadowing- need some advice

[member13077]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi there,
I'm new to this forum so sorry if this is in the wrong section!
But anyway, I'm currently about to be a 2nd year undergraduate student and I'm currently pre-med. I've been shadowing a head and neck surgeon whose surgical specialty is in oncology. I've been shadowing him twice a week and I observe him in clinic and in the OR and it has been such a great experience! He explains most of the surgeries to me and he answers any questions I have.

So I'll be done with my shadowing probably in a month or 6 weeks, and I would like to ask him for a letter of recommendation that I can use to apply for internships and research positions (mostly for next summer). A few questions:

1) Even though I do shadow him, is it worth it to even ask for a letter? He doesn't know me too well and I feel like he wouldn't really be able to talk about my personal qualities. What do you think?

2) Is there any way I can maximize the shadowing opportunity? During clinic, I usually ask whatever questions I have but when there are a lot of residents around, he's usually busy and talks to them more, so it's hard for me to join the conversation since they're using terms I don't know and talking about things I don't know about. During his procedures, I mean, he's obviously busy. But I'd really like him to get to know me a little better, you know?

Thanks in advanced! 🙂

 

[dsoz]

yes, ask him for a letter. It will be essential that you have a letter from someone that has seen you in a clinical setting. He should know what to write. Stuff like "gets along well with patients" or "asks questions when I am doing stuff" or "is pleasant to be around." things like that. Without a physician letter it will be difficult to get into MD school, and impossible to get into DO school (some/most will accept an MD letter, but quite a few prefer or require a DO letter).

dsoz

 

[ChE04]

yes, ask him for a letter. It will be essential that you have a letter from someone that has seen you in a clinical setting. He should know what to write. Stuff like "gets along well with patients" or "asks questions when I am doing stuff" or "is pleasant to be around." things like that. Without a physician letter it will be difficult to get into MD school, and impossible to get into DO school (some/most will accept an MD letter, but quite a few prefer or require a DO letter).

dsoz

This is not true. The most important letters are the ones that talk about strength of character and/or academics. How you act in a clinical setting while shadowing as a pre-med has little relevance to your application.

OP, I would only ask for a letter if you're sure it will be strong. A lukewarm recommendation won't help.