Should I ask for a reference letter?

[Pandora's Hope]

I've been shadowing a doctor for a few weeks now and I was wondering if I should ask him for a reference letter. I never mentioned a reference letter before so I don't know if he'll do it. How would I ask for it?

 

Also, if you received a reference letter, was a general one you could use anywhere or a specific one for med school?

[future_doc]

Welcome to the Forum!

 

I think you have a problem. The doc only knows you for a few weeks and I assume he/she considers you to be bright, attentive and interested. What else could this doc possible say about you knowing you for such a short period of time nad in severelylimited circumstances.

 

Accordingly, please hold off. When you want a reference letter, there are a nmber of things to do - see my past post I think yesterday and another from shannn thatcovers the ground. Essentially, you need a "strong" LOR. Read our posts and ask further questions if necessary.

 

Note: You don't receive the LOR, it is 'confidential' and placed in a sealed envelope, mailed to OMSAS.

[shannn]

Well, you may as well try.

 

If you have stronger references, I'd use them, it doesn't really make a difference if your letter comes from a physician, as long as it is a strong letter of reference.

[future_doc]

We mkeet again shannn!

[rmorelan]

Often people change the wording a bit on the request - don't ask the doctor if they wouldn't mind writing you a reference letter, ask them if they could write you a good reference letter.

 

You always have to accept on the way in though with that approach that the doctor might say no (but they will tell you why which is alway useful) but to honest if someone can't write you a good one then you don't want the letter at all as it won't help you.

 

How well do you think this doctor knows you by this point? The time is a bit short so I can see why FD is a bit concerned.

[Pandora's Hope]

Thanks.

 

I guess I won't ask for a reference letter from him.

[cardiomegaly]

I find it interesting that you would ask for a reference letter from a doctor you are shadowing.

 

Personally I don't really agree with doctors allowing students who aren't in medicine to shadow because you have no binding contract or control over that person's discretion and confidentiality. In no way am I accusing you of telling patient secrets but you're also not covered by any sort of insurance other than that practicing doctor's.

 

So for example, as U of A students we are allowed to shadow in the summer between 1st and 2nd year we need to pay almost $600 for a course that covers our insurance. Otherwise, you're not allowed to really interact with the patient, you're literally a shadow on the wall observing. No histories, no procedures no nothing. If that's how it is for premed students without coverage, how can a doctor write a good reference for you regardless of how long they've known you? All they will know is that you're keen, you have interest in medicine and you're probably nice, polite and have a good demeanour (in front of the doctor you are trying to impress nonetheless).

 

It would be to your advantage to find someone to write you a reference when they know you from an active role - let's say you volunteer at an after school program with children. Great, they'll know that you have patience, you interact well with people and you have good mentoring skills and leadership. You can take initiative to plan activities and require little supervision or something along the lines of that. Or a research prof - they would know that you can search the literature, go the extra mile to discover new knowledge, work diligently on assigned tasks, and critically analyze the data and evidence.

[notmeadoc]

When are you applying to med Pandora's hope?

 

I think that if you are planning on continuing to shadow for awhile - eventually it may be very appropriate to ask for a letter of reference....the longer you shadow the better. I think that it also depends on the doctor - some doctors are extremely kind and caring - others are not. I generally think though that most physicians would be straight up and honest on whether they would be willing to write a reference letter for you.

 

If you're not applying this year and are applying the following year - you have a whole year or more for this physician to get to know how wonderful you are.

 

I think that a letter from a doc could be really good - is he/she involved with the university/academia/faculty of med? If he/she is - if it was a great letter - it could be really good.