LOR question - how do they know you?

[alster]

Yesterday, I shadowed the PA that's writing one of my LORs, and she had a question about how to best fill out the form. I've waived my right to see it and everything - she just asked for some input. It apparently asks at what capacity she knows me (employee, student, co-worker, or other). I've talked to her about the profession for a while and I've shadowed some. Recently, her SP has offered me a part time job to help with some of the extra paperwork that's required throughout the summer at their office. I'll likely be starting sometime this next week, and I won't have my CASPA application in until mid-June due to a Maymester course I'm taking, so I'll have at least a couple of hours of working there on my application. She wouldn't consider me an employee since the hiring comes from the SP who owns the practice, but she wasn't sure whether she could consider me a co-worker or if she would select other and specify. Anyone have any advice for what she should put? If she picked other, should she say shadowee (?) or something? This obviously isn't a huge part of the application, but she asked me, and I didn't have a definite idea of how to answer her. I'd love some advice! Thanks in advance!

[bgdog]

Anyone have any advice for what she should put? If she picked other, should she say shadowee (?) or something?

 

This obviously isn't a huge part of the application, but she asked me, and I didn't have a definite idea of how to answer her. I'd love some advice! Thanks in advance!

 

Not a big part of the application????????

 

This is wrong on so many levels I don't even know where to start.

 

I would suggest you peruse the LOR chapter in Andrew Rodican's book on how to get into PA School or any of the other books on the subject.

 

Good luck

[alster]

I certainly understand that the letters of recommendation are a huge part of the application. The letter itself is very important and says a lot about the the applicant. That comment was referring to the question about how they know you, specifically. I value the entire application process enough to figure out which item from the drop down menu would make the most sense in this case. I'm sorry that statement came off the wrong way, and I apologize if anyone else interpreted it the way you did. I don't recall any of those books addressing my question specifically, but maybe it's been a while since I read through a chapter on LORs so I'll take your advice.

[sijia]

I don't think it is a good idea to let a PA you shadowed write LOR for you unless the PA program you are applying requires so. The reason is obvious--shadowing time is not long enough to know you in depth. Some PA programs specifically say that shadowing PA's LOP is not favorable.

 

I have two of the doctors I used to work for write two LORs and one was written by the VP of the community college I attended. They all know me pretty well, either academically or professionally. So you may want to reach out those people you have worked with or even volunteer cordinator would be better than a short term known PA.

[marktheshark89]

Sijia, many schools require a LOR from a PA. Also, many schools recommend it if its not required. Shadowing is enough to learn about a person, assuming you spend enough time shadowing them. I shadowed one PA for over 70 hours, and also interacted with him at the hospital I volunteered at. At multiple interviews his letter was brought up as being top-notch and an asset to my application.

 

Alexandra, I would have them check off other and say that you shadowed. (I don't have any knowledge of what common practice is, that just seems to make the most sense to me).

[sijia]

Hi Mark, it is good to know that some schools favor PA's LOR. One of the schools I applied specifically says that they do not want an LOR from a PA unless the shadowing time is long enough. BTW, does Quinnipiac require an LOR from PA or recommend?

 

Sijia, many schools require a LOR from a PA. Also, many schools recommend it if its not required. Shadowing is enough to learn about a person, assuming you spend enough time shadowing them. I shadowed one PA for over 70 hours, and also interacted with him at the hospital I volunteered at. At multiple interviews his letter was brought up as being top-notch and an asset to my application.

 

Alexandra, I would have them check off other and say that you shadowed. (I don't have any knowledge of what common practice is, that just seems to make the most sense to me).

[marktheshark89]

Hi Mark, it is good to know that some schools favor PA's LOR. One of the schools I applied specifically says that they do not want an LOR from a PA unless the shadowing time is long enough. BTW, does Quinnipiac require an LOR from PA or recommend?

 

Their website does not say that they require or recommend a letter from a PA. In my opinion however, a strong letter from a PA is probably one of the best types of letters you can have for almost any program.