What is SDN?

nicestranger · 11-06-2009, 12:37 PM

How powerful are dean's letters?

Is it true that almost all dean's letters are positively written?

In what instances can they hurt you?

ivyleaguediver · 11-07-2009, 03:42 PM

I have found that most letters of recommendation are not worth the paper they are printed on because they are almost all uniformly complimentary. They can hurt you in the following ways. If you are applying for GPR and the writer states that they are recommending you for a specialty program (you are applying for both). Another bad sign is if the letter is very short. Finally, anything which is even remotely uncomplementary probably indicates that the person is not good, the writer just doesn't want to come out and say so.

I find the most honest letters come from someone who is a personal friend of mine or who trained with us. These people are not likely to refer someone as good if they are not.

nicestranger · 11-07-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivyleaguediver

I have found that most letters of recommendation are not worth the paper they are printed on because they are almost all uniformly complimentary. They can hurt you in the following ways. If you are applying for GPR and the writer states that they are recommending you for a specialty program (you are applying for both). Another bad sign is if the letter is very short. Finally, anything which is even remotely uncomplementary probably indicates that the person is not good, the writer just doesn't want to come out and say so.

I find the most honest letters come from someone who is a personal friend of mine or who trained with us. These people are not likely to refer someone as good if they are not.

Thanks for the info but can you comment on dean's letters specifically?

ivyleaguediver · 11-10-2009, 07:18 AM

The Dean's letter is usually just a summary of comments that have been received from various faculty members. It is rare for a dean to know a student well enough to write a letter de novo. Oftentimes the dean's letter repeats comments that appear in other letters written for the applicant. I suppose if I did receive a letter from the dean that was more personal I would sit up and take notice. All the other comments I made apply to the dean's letter as well.

setdoc7 · 11-12-2009, 04:33 PM

The deans letter can be very important. Two pertinent examples:
1. A deans letter from a school I received this year stated matter of factly that the applicant would probably not graduate on time and was clinically deficient. The other recommendations were glowing.
2. One applicant sent a forged letter. That person is in trouble.

Lesson: No one can hide and forgery is bad.

Denevistas · Yesterday, 08:48 AM

Whoa!!! ppl do that with their career at stake!! man!!

Good comments ^^

11-06-2009, 12:37 PM	#1
nicestranger Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	the Dean's Letter SDN Members don't see this ad. How powerful are dean's letters? Is it true that almost all dean's letters are positively written? In what instances can they hurt you?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Dean's Letter is out	NNguyenMD	ERAS and the NRMP Match	17	11-01-2006 09:00 PM
Dean's Letter	maranatha	Psychiatry	11	10-19-2006 06:27 PM
Dean's Letter	doctorsquared	Osteopathic	2	08-10-2004 09:05 PM
Dean's Letter	wick215	Emergency Medicine	29	10-28-2003 08:25 PM
Dean's letter	question	ERAS and the NRMP Match	1	10-04-2002 04:58 AM

What is SDN?

Communities

Nonprofit Organization

Find It

Usual Stuff

11-07-2009, 03:42 PM	#2
ivyleaguediver Member Status: Dentist Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 44	I have found that most letters of recommendation are not worth the paper they are printed on because they are almost all uniformly complimentary. They can hurt you in the following ways. If you are applying for GPR and the writer states that they are recommending you for a specialty program (you are applying for both). Another bad sign is if the letter is very short. Finally, anything which is even remotely uncomplementary probably indicates that the person is not good, the writer just doesn't want to come out and say so. I find the most honest letters come from someone who is a personal friend of mine or who trained with us. These people are not likely to refer someone as good if they are not.

11-10-2009, 07:18 AM	#4
ivyleaguediver Member Status: Dentist Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 44	The Dean's letter is usually just a summary of comments that have been received from various faculty members. It is rare for a dean to know a student well enough to write a letter de novo. Oftentimes the dean's letter repeats comments that appear in other letters written for the applicant. I suppose if I did receive a letter from the dean that was more personal I would sit up and take notice. All the other comments I made apply to the dean's letter as well.

11-12-2009, 04:33 PM	#5
setdoc7 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New York Posts: 300	The deans letter can be very important. Two pertinent examples: 1. A deans letter from a school I received this year stated matter of factly that the applicant would probably not graduate on time and was clinically deficient. The other recommendations were glowing. 2. One applicant sent a forged letter. That person is in trouble. Lesson: No one can hide and forgery is bad.

Yesterday, 08:48 AM	#6
Denevistas Junior Member Status: Dentist Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 13	Whoa!!! ppl do that with their career at stake!! man!! Good comments ^^