Turned down for LOR?

[hyperIris]

Has anyone ever been turned down when requested a LOR?

I have been shadowing a doc for past 6 months and my worst nightmare is that he will turn me down when I ask him for LOR next week. I feel its because I admire him soo much..I think he is a great doctor and a huge role model for me. I'll be crushed if he says no. And I havent done anything to upset him or anything (he actually thinks I am very dedicated) but I just have this unsettling feeling that he'll say no. Has anyone ever been in my shoes? or worse, actually got turned down?

I guess i am going to gather all the courage I have and just ask! sigh!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[FlowLimited]

If all that stuff you said is true, why would you think he'd say no?

 

[jae9970]

Has anyone ever been turned down when requested a LOR?

I have been shadowing a doc for past 6 months and my worst nightmare is that he will turn me down when I ask him for LOR next week. I feel its because I admire him soo much..I think he is a great doctor and a huge role model for me. I'll be crushed if he says no. And I havent done anything to upset him or anything (he actually thinks I am very dedicated) but I just have this unsettling feeling that he'll say no. Has anyone ever been in my shoes? or worse, actually got turned down?

I guess i am going to gather all the courage I have and just ask! sigh!

Ive never been turned down but.. why would he turn you down? If you shadowed with him for 6 months, he should know you well.

There are only two reasons he might refuse to write one for you, and they are:

1. He doesn't think he knows you well enough to write a good recommendation letter for you, or thinks it's not right to talk about someone he doesn't know well
2. Too lazy or busy

If you really fear he might say no, then ask him some questions to kinda draw out some expectations. "This time of the year, a lot of students ask you for a LoR, right? Haha, writing one takes forever, right? Haha" etc etc

 

[postbacker]

You really don't need LORs from docs you shadow...I think they rank pretty low on the scale of the kinds of LORs that adcoms want to see...

 

[hyperIris]

If all that stuff you said is true, why would you think he'd say no?

well, I think maybe 6 months isnt enough as rest of my LORs are coming from Profs who have known me for 2 years or more.

I dont think that he'll say no, but the thought dosent leave my mind!!

 

[hyperIris]

You really don't need LORs from docs you shadow...I think they rank pretty low on the scale of the kinds of LORs that adcoms want to see...

what "kinds" of LORs do adcoms want to see? Since my premed committee picks best three, i was thinking a better letter is better regardless of where it comes from.

 

[hyperIris]

Stop being a typical neurotic pre-med.

Yes sir! lol

 

[postbacker]

what "kinds" of LORs do adcoms want to see? Since my premed committee picks best three, i was thinking a better letter is better regardless of where it comes from.

There has been a lot said about this...each medical school has its own requirements, but the standard # of letters is 3, usually including 2 science profs and 1 humanities prof...a letter from anybody who has supervised you in a job, or on a research project, or in a volunteer capacity - all of these are helpful.

The LOR from a doc you shadowed is pretty low yield for an adcom...same with a letter from a physician "friend of the family" or something like that...

Best source of info right now is your pre-med committee - they should be able to tell you the # and source for your LORs...

 

[gleneagles3]

Would if i seriously had no relationship with my undergrad professors? If I honestly walked in to their office to ask for a letter I would definitely have to remind them of my name and when I even was in there class!

 

[hyperIris]

There has been a lot said about this...each medical school has its own requirements, but the standard # of letters is 3, usually including 2 science profs and 1 humanities prof...a letter from anybody who has supervised you in a job, or on a research project, or in a volunteer capacity - all of these are helpful.

The LOR from a doc you shadowed is pretty low yield for an adcom...same with a letter from a physician "friend of the family" or something like that...

Best source of info right now is your pre-med committee - they should be able to tell you the # and source for your LORs...

thanks for the insight!! I am new at this premed game..

 

[shotdiscus]

Would if i seriously had no relationship with my undergrad professors? If I honestly walked in to their office to ask for a letter I would definitely have to remind them of my name and when I even was in there class!

Then the letters probably aren't going to be very good. When you ask you should ask if they would feel comfortable writing a GOOD rec. If they aren't enthusiastic or hesitate you should move on to someone else.

 

[Dr.D-man]

You really don't need LORs from docs you shadow...I think they rank pretty low on the scale of the kinds of LORs that adcoms want to see...

I disagree 100% with this. A good letter from a physician you have spent considerable time with is very valuable. It is a lot better than a lukewarm letter from a professor who barely knows you.

 

[gleneagles3]

I disagree 100% with this. A good letter from a physician you have spent considerable time with is very valuable. It is a lot better than a lukewarm letter from a professor who barely knows you.

I also agree with this, and this is precisely what I have. I will have a tremendous letter from a doctor I have shadowed and know very well, along with one from the professor I have done research for. Unfortunately I still don't have one from any sort of professor that I actually took a class with. Whats up with the requirements for WHO writes your letter?

 

[trevagandalf]

I've been turned down for LOR twice. So? it's not like you're gonna lose a finger...

 

[TheRealMD]

The greatest fear isn't getting a rejection. It's them telling you that it'l be done in October at the earliest.

 

[3dee]

haha i wouldnt worry about it..... we all have that fear before asking a prof for one! just be sure you have some answers prepared in case he asks you why you want to be a doctor ect.... a lot of professors gave me a mini interview when i went to ask!
I am 99% sure that he will write you one, and a good one at that!

 

[Koch]

Has anyone ever been turned down when requested a LOR?

I have been shadowing a doc for past 6 months and my worst nightmare is that he will turn me down when I ask him for LOR next week. I feel its because I admire him soo much..I think he is a great doctor and a huge role model for me. I'll be crushed if he says no. And I havent done anything to upset him or anything (he actually thinks I am very dedicated) but I just have this unsettling feeling that he'll say no. Has anyone ever been in my shoes? or worse, actually got turned down?

I guess i am going to gather all the courage I have and just ask! sigh!

Question: Does he know that you're in love with him?

 

[okay]

While I did get a letter form a doctor whom I shadowed, the response to my initial request that I got from him was very valid. Although his letter might carry a lot of weight, he explained that it is not meant to replace more substantive evaluations from people who actually know what I am capable of. This makes sense because unless you had a more active role (and weren't there just to observe and learn), it would be hard to write anything more than "he was dedicated/ he has a strong passion for this field. "

 

[jae9970]

Question: Does he know that you're in love with him?

a shocking revelation!

 

[hyperIris]

Question: Does he know that you're in love with him?

Dont know about him but I am know I am head over heels over him!!!

 

[voirlesetoiles]

Only person that turned me down for a reccomendation was my supervisor from a lab I had been working at for about 2 months. He felt that he didn't know me for a long enough period of time and wouldn't be able to write me a strong recommendation. Fair enough, I'm glad he told me that instead of writing a mediocre letter.

You've shadowed this physician for 6 mos. Only reason I can think of him turning down your request is if he's too busy. Understandable. Just ask him, don't be so paranoid ... he should be happy to write you one if his schedule permits.

 

[hyperIris]

While I did get a letter form a doctor whom I shadowed, the response to my initial request that I got from him was very valid. Although his letter might carry a lot of weight, he explained that it is not meant to replace more substantive evaluations from people who actually know what I am capable of. This makes sense because unless you had a more active role (and weren't there just to observe and learn), it would be hard to write anything more than "he was dedicated/ he has a strong passion for this field. "

i guess this is what I fear. He knows I am dedicated hardowrking and he probably can conclude some other qualities...but unlike other professors..he dosent know my work ethics, my capabilities...he hasnt seen me doing hands on work. I shadow him..i follow him around, i ask him questions, I sometimes help with patients like escorting the elders back to the waiting area or help the nurse with EKG etc...but thats about it..which I would guess is true for anyone who shodowed..or have u guys got a better deal?

I guess I am just going to ask and get over it. I feel that he dosent know me well as others who I have asked known me better and actually know my work.

 

[Dr. Josh]

I've been turned down for LOR twice. So? it's not like you're gonna lose a finger...

I just got turned down by a professor who says his rule is he has to have the student a minimum of two semesters. it's a problem because I don't really know any of my professors and if everyone went by that rule I'd be down to zero.

 

[gleneagles3]

Yeah same with me, lol, i have never had a professor for two full semesters

 

[Dr. Josh]

Yeah same with me, lol, i have never had a professor for two full semesters

So now what do i do? I don't really have any science LORs.

 

[njbmd]

Has anyone ever been turned down when requested a LOR?

I have been shadowing a doc for past 6 months and my worst nightmare is that he will turn me down when I ask him for LOR next week. I feel its because I admire him soo much..I think he is a great doctor and a huge role model for me. I'll be crushed if he says no. And I havent done anything to upset him or anything (he actually thinks I am very dedicated) but I just have this unsettling feeling that he'll say no. Has anyone ever been in my shoes? or worse, actually got turned down?

I guess i am going to gather all the courage I have and just ask! sigh!

Reasons that you may be "turned down" after requesting a Letter of Recommendation:

• Person is too busy to write the letter
• Person feels that they do not know you well enough to write a strong letter
• Person feels that you are not a good candidate for medical school
• You have not provided your personal statement and CV

Many people do not want the responsibility of writing letters of recommendation and thus will not participate in this activity. When you signed up for your "shadowing" experience, you should have provided this person with a copy of your CV (curriculum vitae) and personal statement along with a cover letter that outlined the medical schools that you are interested in attending with the request that this person write a letter of recommendation once they felt that they knew you well enough. Be sure to include a stamped, addressed letter where they might send your letter of recommendation (not back to you) preferably to your pre-medical committee at your undergraduate institution along with the deadline. Be sure to check with your committee as to when they received the letter so that you can write a "thank-you" note when the letter is done.

If at the end of your shadowing experience, the person does not wish to write a letter of recommendation, thank them for the shadowing and move onto someone else. Not every physician has the time or the interest in writing letters though most will if they allow you to shadow. Unless you are in the "mind" of another person, you can't possibly know what they "think" so get this out of your vocabulary. They may tell your that you are "dedicated" but what they "think" may be totally different. Show your professional "chops" by providing the above and you will be more likely to receive a great letter.

 

[KifsterDDS]

Has anyone ever been turned down when requested a LOR?

I have been shadowing a doc for past 6 months and my worst nightmare is that he will turn me down when I ask him for LOR next week. I feel its because I admire him soo much..I think he is a great doctor and a huge role model for me. I'll be crushed if he says no. And I havent done anything to upset him or anything (he actually thinks I am very dedicated) but I just have this unsettling feeling that he'll say no. Has anyone ever been in my shoes? or worse, actually got turned down?

I guess i am going to gather all the courage I have and just ask! sigh!

I speak from experience here, so there's no need to take what I say with a grain of salt. I've been asked to write letters of recommendation for various things: an application to dental school, an application for nursing school, and a few job applications. I've never refused a letter.

We know that you need these letters, and unless you're dealing with a doctor who 1. is an insensitive jerk or 2. genuinely does not feel you'd make a good doctor, you'll get a letter. It's a rarity when we're actually "too busy" or "too ill" to write a letter.

So, what do you do if by some chance you can't get a letter from this doctor of whom you speak? Find another one from whom to get a letter, and do it quickly. Schools are going to wonder why you didn't get a letter from him, and there will be no good opportunity for you to credibly explain why (even if the explanation is a perfectly acceptable one).

 

[QofQuimica]

Has anyone ever been turned down when requested a LOR?

I have been shadowing a doc for past 6 months and my worst nightmare is that he will turn me down when I ask him for LOR next week. I feel its because I admire him soo much..I think he is a great doctor and a huge role model for me. I'll be crushed if he says no. And I havent done anything to upset him or anything (he actually thinks I am very dedicated) but I just have this unsettling feeling that he'll say no. Has anyone ever been in my shoes? or worse, actually got turned down?

I guess i am going to gather all the courage I have and just ask! sigh!

The only reason I have ever turned a student down for a LOR was because I knew that I couldn't write that student a good letter. Basically, if the recommender doesn't know you well enough to write a specific, strong letter, then it's a waste of time to have him or her write you one anyway. It doesn't sound like this will be a problem in your case though. Just make sure to be respectful of your recommender's time; give him a copy of your AMCAS PS, your transcript, a CV if you have one, and any other info that will help him write the best possible letter he can write. to you.

 

[KifsterDDS]

The only reason I have ever turned a student down for a LOR was because I knew that I couldn't write that student a good letter. Basically, if the recommender doesn't know you well enough to write a specific, strong letter, then it's a waste of time to have him or her write you one anyway. It doesn't sound like this will be a problem in your case though. Just make sure to be respectful of your recommender's time; give him a copy of your AMCAS PS, your transcript, a CV if you have one, and any other info that will help him write the best possible letter he can write. to you.

You may not want to simply dump your academic portfolio on him. If/when he agrees to write a letter on your behalf, ask him if there are any materials he would like to have, and let him decide what he's going to include in your letter. Chances are, this doctor is going to want to write about his assessment of you as a person and potential doctor, not comment on your academic performance.

 

[TurboTegGirl]

Has anyone ever been turned down when requested a LOR?

I have been shadowing a doc for past 6 months and my worst nightmare is that he will turn me down when I ask him for LOR next week. I feel its because I admire him soo much..I think he is a great doctor and a huge role model for me. I'll be crushed if he says no. And I havent done anything to upset him or anything (he actually thinks I am very dedicated) but I just have this unsettling feeling that he'll say no. Has anyone ever been in my shoes? or worse, actually got turned down?

I guess i am going to gather all the courage I have and just ask! sigh!

I am a non-trad, and right out of undergrad, I thought Physical Therapy school was what I wanted to do, so I had spent sometime observing with a PT, in a different state. I wrote him a letter about a year later, asking if he would write my me a LOR, and he declined. He said he felt that after a year of not seeing me, he could not write as strong of a reccommendation as I probably wanted. Which I actually appreciated - I would rather be told no, than be given a less than deserved LOR.

 

[cleothecat]

Thank the professor and find another LOR.

Mediocre and negative LOR's are application killers in this process.

Consider yourself lucky!!