Trouble with the almighty Physician LOR

[JeetKuneDo]

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Anyone else having trouble obtaining a DO LOR, or even a physician LOR for that matter? This is the last piece to my app. I've already gone through two DO physicians that said they can't give me an LOR because they believe they can't write me a good one since I didn't shadow them long enough (3 days of shadowing each.) Here's to hoping the third cold call's a charm.

 

[munchymanRX]

Anyone else having trouble obtaining a DO LOR, or even a physician LOR for that matter? This is the last piece to my app. I've already gone through two DO physicians that said they can't give me an LOR because they believe they can't write me a good one since I didn't shadow them long enough (3 days of shadowing each.) Here's to hoping the third cold call's a charm.

Seems like you just solved your own problem. Shadow longer and develop a closer relationships with the people who are mentoring you. Sometimes a physician will crank you out a LOR, but they're busy people. You're going to have to find one that likes you first.


Also, you don't really need a DO letter, I didn't have one (had MD instead), and it was not a hindrance AT ALL.

 

[Helen Wheels]

Munchyman, it depends on what schools you apply to. Some DO schools require a DO letter and do not allow you to substitute an MD letter. LECOM is one example.

With the DO letter I guess I lucked out. The first DO I contacted agreed to meet with me and allowed me to shadow him for a few hours. It was about 4 hours total that I spent with him but he agreed to write a letter and it must have been decent since I was accepted.

 

[Journey2become]

Anyone else having trouble obtaining a DO LOR, or even a physician LOR for that matter? This is the last piece to my app. I've already gone through two DO physicians that said they can't give me an LOR because they believe they can't write me a good one since I didn't shadow them long enough (3 days of shadowing each.) Here's to hoping the third cold call's a charm.

I had the hardest time getting a physician LOR as well. I had the issue of shadowing some and it also not being "enough". Then I shadowed someone for longer and they agreed to write me one - but never did...
Lastly I was very upfront with wanting to shadow a physician that could write me a letter (I was desperate at that time). I pursued more than one possible LOR at a time until I got one. The one that eventually did end up writing me one agreed to meet me and less than a week later had written the letter.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

I had the hardest time getting a physician LOR as well. I had the issue of shadowing some and it also not being "enough". Then I shadowed someone for longer and they agreed to write me one - but never did...
Lastly I was very upfront with wanting to shadow a physician that could write me a letter (I was desperate at that time). I pursued more than one possible LOR at a time until I got one. The one that eventually did end up writing me one agreed to meet me and less than a week later had written the letter.

Very interesting. How did you approach the physician? I take it before any shadowing had occurred, the physician already agreed that he would write one after your shadowing experience?

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Where do you guys live? If you're in the MN/WI area I might be able to help... I have a DO friend who writes letters for people all the time. Also, I know it's a stretch, but are there any university hospitals/clinics around with DO's?? Maybe they would be more receptive? Additional thoughts, ask what they want for shadowing hours to get the letter. Do what it takes, and good luck!

 

[PressPforPi]

Wow. The DO I'm shadowing started talking about the LoR the first day I met him He just assumes that's all I'm there for. He told me that I could stay as long as I want and with him being a Surgeon, I plan on staying for quite a while.😀

 

[Journey2become]

Very interesting. How did you approach the physician? I take it before any shadowing had occurred, the physician already agreed that he would write one after your shadowing experience?

Actually yes, he did agree to write a letter before I shadowed him. It probably helped that I had been volunteering in the same general area that he works (but on different days than the one I volunteered). However, I did know someone that knew him - but it was a loose connection. So it was easier to ask for letter before asking about shadowing. If you are desperate though I would include in the cold call that you would like to shadow with the possibility of writing a LOR.
Another option is asking your Family Doctor to write you one (and shadow if possible). I didn't have one, but in hindsight it would have been easier because you are not asking something from someone that owes you nothing - they actually already have an attachment to you as their patient. If not, friends and family member's Dr.s might work too.
If there are locations with residencies the residents might also be more willing to write you a letter since it might still be fresh in their mind that they were dependent on LOR to get into residency.
You could also ask early on in the shadowing if you can continue to shadow them and if they would then be willing to write you a LOR later.

How soon do you need it for?

 

[MRSAful Fate]

LOR's can be a pain. I had two docs say they would write me a letter only to eventually flake out after a few months of procrastinating (one of whom was also a Judo coach of mine and I shadowed for ~100 hours!). I think being up front with the doctors about it is a good idea. And having back up plans. I certainly thought the two who flaked on me would write me good letters, but doctors are busy and writing letters for pre-meds doesn't register high on their priorities.

 

[Journey2become]

LOR's can be a pain. I had two docs say they would write me a letter only to eventually flake out after a few months of procrastinating (one of whom was also a Judo coach of mine and I shadowed for ~100 hours!). I think being up front with the doctors about it is a good idea. And having back up plans. I certainly thought the two who flaked on me would write me good letters, but doctors are busy and writing letters for pre-meds doesn't register high on their priorities.

Most important piece of advice for LOR, I had two flakes too! Took months for me to give up on them, and I reminded them fairly often...

 

[MRSAful Fate]

Most important piece of advice for LOR, I had two flakes too! Took months for me to give up on them, and I reminded them fairly often...

Ack, so frustrating! I also kept contacting my two and every time they said "oh yeah, I've been busy but I'll get right on it!".

 

[Journey2become]

Ack, so frustrating! I also kept contacting my two and every time they said "oh yeah, I've been busy but I'll get right on it!".

"I'll do it tonight I promise!"
"I'll have it done by the end of the weekend"

The other one was more straightforward. He let me know that he suddenly got busy and that he would get to it if he could...evidently he couldn't, but I still appreciated the honesty - you know.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

I'm starting to think this physician lor requirement is a weed out process. It feels much easier getting a letter from a prof and I don't think allo requires physician lor's.

I think I might have figured things out as I think my fp doc will write me one. However, like you guys said, you can't rest on these until the letter is in interfolio or whatever letter service you use.

 

[kcin]

I shadowed my primary for 4 hours and he gave me a LOR. Good times.

 

[Quester]

How 'old' can the LOR from physicians be? Is 1 year too outdated?

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

How 'old' can the LOR from physicians be? Is 1 year too outdated?

No, I think most schools say 3 years