risktaker Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 I searched around and I could not really find an answer to this question. I will be getting 1 recommendation letter from a doctor that I volunteered for as a medical assistant for 4 summers, 1 from my Microbiology professor, and I am trying to figure out whom to ask for my last one. I currently work as an ER scribe, so I can ask a doctor there or ask a PA whom I shadowed a couple times. The PA I shadowed is my mentor, but I feel like I should not ask her for a letter of rec because I have not really "worked" with her. The doctors at work know that I work under high pressure situations and might write me a more helpful letter of rec. Does it really matter if I get 2 letters from doctors and 1 from a professor or is it crucial that I have to have a rec letter from at least one PA? Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsman2PA Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Its highly recommended that you get one from a PA. If the PA is your mentor like you say, she could give great insight to your personality traits, communication, attitude, etc. I'm sure plenty of people have been accepted without a rec from a PA however. I think you'll have to look at what the missing puzzle piece is. Letter 1 from the Doctor you volunteered for = work experience, knowledge, team attitude, etc. Letter 2 from Professor = Classroom attributes; studying, competence, great student, etc. Letter 3....what should be showcased aside from whats already been done? Once you figure that out, it will help with your decision. Some people get caught up in the "title" of their recommenders. As long as the person knows you and can formulate an opinion on what type of person you are, you'll be good. You can also give the PA a "resume" of things you've accomplished, grades, volunteering, etc to help her get a better idea of you overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LESH Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Letters from PAs go a long way with most ADCOM members who are PAs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarquetteU Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 I think it depends on the program. I had extensive talks with my program director about the application process and she said a letter from a PA or a doctor is great but only if YOU really know that person and THEY really know YOU. Keep in mind if you have followed a PA around a few times there isn't much they can say about you other than you seem like a good person. Ideally they wanted someone who knew you and your work ethic. I did not have a PA write me a letter, instead I had a doc, a prof, and a community service director from a organization I had worked with in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mainiac Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 I'd recommend LOR from PA! if she is ur mentor as u say! U could ask her if she feels comfortable writing ur LOR for PA school.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.