asking for the letter of recommendation
You're almost ready to apply to schools now! You've come such a far way, and you should be so excited!!
This is the next-to-last step of your shadowing journey: asking for the letter of recommendation.
If you have spent a few days, asked some good questions, and made a good impression, it’s time to ask for the letter of recommendation from the dentist.
Many schools will require a letter of recommendation written by a dentist to be submitted to the school. Students are usually not given the opportunity to read the letter before it is published, so here are a few tips to both ask for the letter and ensure that it’s a good one. After all, this letter will be very important in conveying to the committee who you are without actually meeting you.
If you have spent a few days, asked some good questions, and made a good impression, it’s time to ask for the letter of recommendation from the dentist.
Many schools will require a letter of recommendation written by a dentist to be submitted to the school. Students are usually not given the opportunity to read the letter before it is published, so here are a few tips to both ask for the letter and ensure that it’s a good one. After all, this letter will be very important in conveying to the committee who you are without actually meeting you.
Before you ask for the letter...
Before you ask for the letter, you should make sure this is the person who you want writing your letter. After all, you don’t want to waste the dentist’s time.
Spend time shadowing. Don’t expect to ask after one day of shadowing. Like any relationship, it takes time. I would say spend at least 30 hours (over the course of 4-6 days) with the dentist. This will give you time to convey to the dentist how badly you wish to enter this field. In the end, you’re asking for the dentist to vouch for you.
Ask good questions. Don’t know why the dentist chose to restore a tooth instead of extract it? ASK. They want you to ask questions. It shows you’re interested (and keeps you from falling asleep). This, in turn, will help them write positive characteristics about your true interest in dentistry.
Spend time shadowing. Don’t expect to ask after one day of shadowing. Like any relationship, it takes time. I would say spend at least 30 hours (over the course of 4-6 days) with the dentist. This will give you time to convey to the dentist how badly you wish to enter this field. In the end, you’re asking for the dentist to vouch for you.
Ask good questions. Don’t know why the dentist chose to restore a tooth instead of extract it? ASK. They want you to ask questions. It shows you’re interested (and keeps you from falling asleep). This, in turn, will help them write positive characteristics about your true interest in dentistry.
how to ask for the letter...
You’ve put in the time and brain effort. You have convinced the dentist of your passion to help others through providing oral care. So, time to ask.
I waited until the end of my last Shadowing Day. The dentist knew that I had no more Shadowing Days on the books, so maybe he was expecting it. As we were finishing the last procedure, I asked if I could talk with him for a few minutes.
We walked down the hall and sat down at his desk for privacy. I was nervous, fearing rejection (although there is nothing to fear because I spent hours with him before all week).
I would suggest this approach:
“Dr. S, I want to thank you so much for allowing me to shadow you the past few weeks. I knew I wanted to do dentistry before this, and you have further inspired me to be a remarkable dentist. I am beyond impressed with how compassionate you are towards your patients and staff, and I hope to do the same one day. As you know, I am applying to School A, and would like to ask you to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf. I admire you as my mentor, and your words to the Committee on behalf of me would really mean a lot.”
Simple, short, and sweet. Here are the important takeaways: Tell them why you enjoyed shadowing them, why you chose them with the task of vouching for you, and ask them. That’s all.
I waited until the end of my last Shadowing Day. The dentist knew that I had no more Shadowing Days on the books, so maybe he was expecting it. As we were finishing the last procedure, I asked if I could talk with him for a few minutes.
We walked down the hall and sat down at his desk for privacy. I was nervous, fearing rejection (although there is nothing to fear because I spent hours with him before all week).
I would suggest this approach:
“Dr. S, I want to thank you so much for allowing me to shadow you the past few weeks. I knew I wanted to do dentistry before this, and you have further inspired me to be a remarkable dentist. I am beyond impressed with how compassionate you are towards your patients and staff, and I hope to do the same one day. As you know, I am applying to School A, and would like to ask you to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf. I admire you as my mentor, and your words to the Committee on behalf of me would really mean a lot.”
Simple, short, and sweet. Here are the important takeaways: Tell them why you enjoyed shadowing them, why you chose them with the task of vouching for you, and ask them. That’s all.
where does the dentist send the letter of recommendation?
It has been a couple of years since I did this portion, but I believe the dentist sends the letter directly to ADEA AADSAS via email submission. I know for certain that the student does not get a copy of the letter. The directions are pretty clear as to how/where to send the letter, but be sure to provide the dentist with exact instructions to both make their submission easier and ensure that it is correctly submitted.
Asking for the letter is the easiest part of the shadowing journey. It’s a chance for you to thank the dentists for allowing you the opportunity to learn from them and ask for their help in your application to dental school. Once the letter is complete, send a thank you note, and you’re finished with this part of the application process!
Asking for the letter is the easiest part of the shadowing journey. It’s a chance for you to thank the dentists for allowing you the opportunity to learn from them and ask for their help in your application to dental school. Once the letter is complete, send a thank you note, and you’re finished with this part of the application process!
Awesome-sauce on almost being ready for the application process!!
Go ahead and check out my article on Secondary Applications Help!
After reading that, you'll be ready for those short essay responses!
Go ahead and check out my article on Secondary Applications Help!
After reading that, you'll be ready for those short essay responses!