Hey!

I have received many PMs lately re: LORs and whether to submit a 4th LOR after the CAS has been submitted. These are good questions and in the interest of time and so that others may benefit, I am posting my thoughts on this subject on this thread.

The advice given to me when I applied was to get 1 LOR from general surgery, 1 from Internal Medicine and 1 from an ophthalmologist. These are the 3 LOR that I submitted with my CAS. It is critical that programs see that your talent in medicine extends beyond ophthalmology. Remember, a broad knowledge of multiple organ systems and disease processes are critical elements that distinguish an ophthalmologist from an optometrist.

I submitted a 4th LOR in September after I did an ophtho rotation in August. My feelings on the 4th LOR go something like this: if SFMatch is giving you an opportunity for an ophthlamologist to build you up even more in your CAS, why not take advantage of it? If it's a strong letter will it hurt you? NO! If your schedule doesn't allow for you to get a 4th LOR, don't let your face get like this as you read this post: :scared: or do this: +pissed+ If you have one strong ophtho LOR already, it won't put you at a disadvantage.

To those who PMd me, don't feel like you should stop because of this post. I just did not want to write the same exact thing to all of you :)

Good luck to all!

Man, you guys that are applying this year are keeping me hopping w/ the PMs! :wow: That's great! I'm glad that you are getting the ball rolling now instead of august. I am always glad to share advice with any of you as long as you understand that it is not really my advice, it is wisdom passed down to me that i am imparting to you now. so next year, at this time, it will be your turn to pass it down to others. ok, off my soap box...

a few have asked, can you use the same LORs from ophtho for your prelim/transitional year? please see: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=1424405#post1424405 look for the post dated 04-26-2003, 10:17 AM

briefly: If you are asking the same letter writer who wrote you a letter for ophtho to write you one for internship, i would ask them to write you 2 versions of the same letter. One that states, "this candidate will make an outstanding ophthalmologist" and one that states "this candidate will make an excellent intern."

when i interviewed, i was told by some of the smaller community IM program interviewers in the LA area that they liked how i didn't just submit the same personal statement from ophtho for their prelim training program. i probably changed a total of 2 sentances and had my letter writers do what i commented on above. it take all of 5 minutes to do these things. why not play it safe and make a good impression? :love:

Good Luck!

Hi... thanks for all your advice, which I've read religiously. ;) Quick question re: my personal situation with LORs... When I did my research, I worked extensively with a post-doc (PhD). Should I be getting my LOR from her or from the PhD who actually runs the lab but with whom I didn't spend much time?? Is a letter from a PhD (rather than MD) going to be viewed with less respect?? I hope not!

Hey,

Hmmm. I don't think it's a matter of respect, but I still maintain that you need LORs that highlight your excellent clinical skills and how you will be an excellent addition to the field of ophthalmology. I'm not sure how much your multiple talents in lab will impress the more clinical programs. Their goal is to make excellent clinical ophthalmologists rather than vision scientists. A letter like you are suggesting might carry more weight at the research oriented programs (or your home program), but I still suggest that you get 1 LOR from medicine 1 from surgery and 1 from an ophthalmogist (MD or MD/PhD). I think the letter that you are suggesting would be an excellent idea to get and submit in the following manner: Why not have the post-doc draft the letter and have your PI sign it (or co-sign it)? Have them make 10-12 signed copies of the letter and carry it with you to your interviews. Some of the dept chairs and program directors at programs that I interviewed at invited me to update my file with additional material (LORs, copies of manuscripts, abstracts, etc) if I wanted. I think this would be the ideal outlet for what you are suggesting. What do other people think? I never like to say that what worked for me is the only "way" or as someone on this forum likes to remind us, "path to enlightenment." :D

Good luck!