How to go about asking for a LOR

[Hokage777]

I've shadowing for the past few weeks and I'm debating whether I should ask for a LOR. If I do this, how I should go about it? Is it better to ask in person or email? Also what's a good amount of shadowing hours? Thanks! 

[robclem21]

You should get references from people who can speak to your personal qualities and attributes that will make you a good medical student and physician in the future. Typically, someone who you have followed around for a few hours is not the best person to provide this type of reference letter (unless you have interacted with them in a way that they can speak to the important CANMEDS roles based on things you have done). I have seen them before and they are the weakest letters. There are no set number of hours for shadowing that are important for your application or for a reference letter. It's about what you've shown them and the examples they can use from your interactions to demonstrate that.