In need of some advice please! I'm getting conflicting answers on which letter to submit to programs. I'm an MS4 from a state school without a home program, but I have managed to spend time with quite a few academic ophthalmologists during my school breaks and on away rotations. I have two options for my second ophthalmology letter and would love some input.
#1 - Well-respected faculty member at a solid nearby residency program. Good name recognition in the state. Assured me (unsolicited) that s/he had written me a very strong and personal letter.
#2 - Internationally well-known ophthalmologist in private practice. Instant name recognition with every ophthalmologist I have worked with to date. I performed well (I think) on my rotation with him/her. However, I do not believe that my letter will be very personal. Probably a standard shortish letter based largely on my CV, written by an assistant and briefly skimmed before submission by the actually ophthalmologist.
The standard wisdom on these forums says go with the letter from the more well-known name. I have reservations about this because I am not as confident about the content of the letter from #2 as I am about the letter from #1. I plan to apply to programs all over the country, but would be happy to match locally/regionally. I think #2's name would catch the eye of programs outside of my region, but it will likely be somewhat of a form letter.
What would you do?
#1 - Well-respected faculty member at a solid nearby residency program. Good name recognition in the state. Assured me (unsolicited) that s/he had written me a very strong and personal letter.
#2 - Internationally well-known ophthalmologist in private practice. Instant name recognition with every ophthalmologist I have worked with to date. I performed well (I think) on my rotation with him/her. However, I do not believe that my letter will be very personal. Probably a standard shortish letter based largely on my CV, written by an assistant and briefly skimmed before submission by the actually ophthalmologist.
The standard wisdom on these forums says go with the letter from the more well-known name. I have reservations about this because I am not as confident about the content of the letter from #2 as I am about the letter from #1. I plan to apply to programs all over the country, but would be happy to match locally/regionally. I think #2's name would catch the eye of programs outside of my region, but it will likely be somewhat of a form letter.
What would you do?
