Apply to IM with 3 strong LORs from same subspecialty and program?

[Handsome88]

Or would it be better to replace one of the strong letters (all from the same subspecialty and program) by an average letter that's from a different program and in general IM for variety? I don't think it's not a bad letter but it's not outstanding. My 4th letter is a research letter from the same subspecialty but different program and would like to keep that research letter.

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[gutonc]

You need at least 1, preferably 2, general IM LORs. Applying with all subspecialty LORs will make them question your commitment to doing anymore than just biding time until you get your subspecialty match, which will make them not that interested in you.

 

[Handsome88]

Thanks.
So even though the subspecialty letter is way stronger than the general IM letter? What's wrong with having a special interest in a subspecialty. It's something I can't hide.

 

[gutonc]

Unless you're applying to a research pathway you need to at least pretend to be interested in the specialty you're applying to. You're applying for a job doing X with LORs saying you'd be really good at Y. Pretend X is IM and Y is Pathology then do the math yourself (algebra really, but whatever). You need to at least fake an interest in the specialty you're applying to.

You could also flip the script and see how it might work out for you. Imagine applying to cards with only 4 LORs stating what a great outpatient general internist you'd be. How many places are going to take a stab at you?

 

[rokshana]

and one of those letters usually is a letter form the chair of medicine…one of the three coming from a sub specialist or a different specialty is ok…may even help, but as gutonc said, programs are going to want to know that you are a good fit for IM…and if the rec is coming from another IM doctor, that is going to hold a little more weight.

 

[iBS1972]

and one of those letters usually is a letter form the chair of medicine…one of the three coming from a sub specialist or a different specialty is ok…may even help, but as gutonc said, programs are going to want to know that you are a good fit for IM…and if the rec is coming from another IM doctor, that is going to hold a little more weight.

Would you recommend against using a palliative care letter as an IM LOR?

 

[gutonc]

Would you recommend against using a palliative care letter as an IM LOR?

Why? Palliative Care is (mostly) an IM subspecialty. As long as all 3 of them aren't Palliative Care.

 

[need4weed]

How about as an IMG? I have LORs from one IM subspecialty elective I did in the US, and the LORs are all from subspecialty doctors. I don't have any core IM letters, because my medical school is 6 years, and I did IM in 4th year, and none of the doctors remember me enough to write a good LOR 3 years later.

Currently I have 3 US LORs from subspecialty docs from the same hospital, and 1 LOR from a home subspecialty doc. All 4 letters are very strong. What would you recommend I do?

 

[gutonc]

How about as an IMG? I have LORs from one IM subspecialty elective I did in the US, and the LORs are all from subspecialty doctors. I don't have any core IM letters, because my medical school is 6 years, and I did IM in 4th year, and none of the doctors remember me enough to write a good LOR 3 years later.

Currently I have 3 US LORs from subspecialty docs from the same hospital, and 1 LOR from a home subspecialty doc. All 4 letters are very strong. What would you recommend I do?

Well, assuming you're not willing to make up a LOR writer and craft a letter in her name and pass it off as legit, you've got the letters you've got.

 

[stop2stop]

Well, assuming you're not willing to make up a LOR writer and craft a letter in her name and pass it off as legit, you've got the letters you've got.

Thanks very much for all the replies. For places that only accept two letters outside of a chairman's letter (So three total) would you recommend those two letters being both clinical, one research and one clinical, or it doesn't matter? Thanks for any clarification

 

[AdmiralChz]

Thanks very much for all the replies. For places that only accept two letters outside of a chairman's letter (So three total) would you recommend those two letters being both clinical, one research and one clinical, or it doesn't matter? Thanks for any clarification

The only time a program "wants" to see a research letter is if you'll be doing dedicated research time as part of your training or if you've identified some sort of clinical interest going forward. Otherwise it's up to you and probably doesn't matter too much, although you research letter may help tell more about you different from the clinical realm..

 

[stop2stop]

The only time a program "wants" to see a research letter is if you'll be doing dedicated research time as part of your training or if you've identified some sort of clinical interest going forward. Otherwise it's up to you and probably doesn't matter too much, although you research letter may help tell more about you different from the clinical realm..

Thanks very much for the response. For most programs I was hoping to send two clinical letters and one from a research mentor whom I've done much work with, but it appears you think it programs that only want two letters the clinical ones are best? Thanks again for any clarification, really appreciated