When asking for LORs how recent have you shadowed?

[Parklife]

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When you go on to submit your LORs, how recent have you shadowed the dentist? I have plenty of shadowing hours, but when it comes time for application season, I feel like I would've long lost touch with the dentist.

Should i just shadow someone else and ask them for one when the time comes? I also think it may look fishy if adcom sees all my hours concentrated at the start of my undergrad. It might indicate the applicant being callous to change or a know-it-all.

"You didn't think to shadow just once more after your freshman year...?"

Thanks DDSs and future DDSs 🙂👍

 

[Parklife]

Ok, come on now

 

[diene]

I think a letter from someone you shadowed any time during your undergraduate career should be fine. There are no rules that I have come across that state certain time period restrictions...pick the dentist who can write you the best LOR.

Also, I would definitely recommend getting more shadowing hours during your sophomore/junior year. It doesn't have to be in the 100s..15-20 hours a year should be enough to show that you are still in touch with dentistry and that your interests haven't changed over time.