When to ask shadowed dentist for letter of recommendation

[longhorn1991]

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Hey guys,

I have currently shadowed a dentist for 200 or so hours, and I was thinking about getting a letter of recommendation from her. Should I wait till before I apply to Dental School (2015 cycle) to ask her to write a recommendation or would it be safer to have her write it now?
Thanks for any advice in advanced

 

[Troyvdg]

have her write it now, while her experience with you is still fresh...plus, it often takes a while for them to actually write the letter. So asking a head of time never hurts.

 

[longhorn1991]

Thanks for the quick reply troyvdg. So it is fine that she just writes it and I hold on to it for a year?

 

[jetti]

I agree it'd be nice to have something in writing now while its still fresh. I also think it could be helpful to wait too and/or give her the option of adding to it later, i.e. maybe if you keep her updates on how things are going, or any questions you have about the field before the next cycle starts. Not sure how big of an impact that would be, but your relationship/LOE (aka "how long has Dr.X known Longhorn?" might be strengthened... just a thought!

 

[tandem7]

I recommend asking her now, signing up for interfolio, and then asking her to upload it to there. That way, it will be waiting for you next cycle and you won't have to worry about it.

 

[sbdento]

Thanks for the quick reply troyvdg. So it is fine that she just writes it and I hold on to it for a year?

Set up an interfolio account and have her send it to them. Interfolio is a commonly used letter holding site for us pre dents

Interfolio.com

 

[longhorn1991]

I recommend asking her now, signing up for interfolio, and then asking her to upload it to there. That way, it will be waiting for you next cycle and you won't have to worry about it.

Set up an interfolio account and have her send it to them. Interfolio is a commonly used letter holding site for us pre dents

Wow guys, thanks so much for the advice. My big question was how handle the physical letter if I were to get it written early. Thanks for the recommendation.