Hey guys. This general topic has been discussed on here a few times, and based on these discussions- I am trying to include at least one core LOR.

My question is this: Which 2 LORs should I use?

1.Someone from surgery (a senior person designated by the dept) that you do not think used anything from your clinical eval etc to write your LOR- does that count as a core letter since the person is in a "core field?" Honored surgery.

2. A senior medicine person that has known you for a long time, personally and through extracurrics, but not that much exposure on the floors. Think they will write a great, though probably short, letter. Does this count as a core LOR? Pass in medicine (long story).

3. My other option is the clerkship director from peds who is much junior to the surgery attending and will probably just cull from personal experience (not clinical), small group performance, and clinical evals. Is this a core LOR? Honors in peds.

All three, I believe will write strong letters. Which 2 should I pick? Thanks!

Surgery and Medicine.

I used Pediatrics as my core LOR. The applications I reviewed used Medicine or Surgery.

What do you guys think about getting a third letter from Ophthalmology. I feel that Ophthalmology faculty knows me better (have worked with them more closely) than with any other people. Is it badly looked upon not having a letter from Medicine/surgery? They seem to be less excited about writing a letter when I tell them I am not going into their field and rather going to Ophthalmology.
Thanks!

What I have heard at my program from the residency director & faculty is that the # of ophtho letters from the applicants correlates negatively with the resident's eventual performance (they actually did a study). They're telling me to only submit one ophtho letter and to be sure to get at least one core rotation letter (med, surg or peds). Of course, this is only one program.

What do you guys think about getting a third letter from Ophthalmology. I feel that Ophthalmology faculty knows me better (have worked with them more closely) than with any other people. Is it badly looked upon not having a letter from Medicine/surgery? They seem to be less excited about writing a letter when I tell them I am not going into their field and rather going to Ophthalmology.
Thanks!


I would have a balance, one or two ophtho letters are enough. You need a "core" letter and it is suggested in the SFmatch manual itself. Not having a core letter at all may be viewed negatively since most applicants >95% probably have at least one. I had two medicine and one ophtho and sent in a second ophtho letter as a "late rotation" letter.

Agreed, remember, i think people that are reviewing your application want to know that you can excell in all aspects of medicine, not just ophtho.




I would have a balance, one or two ophtho letters are enough. You need a "core" letter and it is suggested in the SFmatch manual itself. Not having a core letter at all may be viewed negatively since most applicants >95% probably have at least one. I had two medicine and one ophtho and sent in a second ophtho letter as a "late rotation" letter.

I'm getting an ophtho, surgery, and mentor (who does FP). My dean felt that was a good mix that could highlight how I worked in an outpatient clinic, as well as in the OR.

I'm getting an ophtho, surgery, and mentor (who does FP). My dean felt that was a good mix that could highlight how I worked in an outpatient clinic, as well as in the OR.


sounds good to me. If you do a late ophtho rotation in august or semptember, you may want to send in a fourth letter. good luck.