Recs from Sub-specialty mentor for IM program

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Cards21aceking

Full Member
10+ Year Member
5+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2007
Messages
260
Reaction score
1
Greetings,

I was wondering what the general consensus was for picking who to write your LORs when applying to for IM. If you have interest in a specific sub-specialty (and are currently researching with a prominent in the field), would you be at a loss to have them write a rec for your IM residency app? My situation is this: I'm a rising MSII, and have been interested in Cards for a while. I'm doing research with the program director of Cards at my university and am contemplating having her write a rec a few years from now. Can anyone comment on whether this is a good idea or not? Thanks.

Members don't see this ad.
 
Greetings,

I was wondering what the general consensus was for picking who to write your LORs when applying to for IM. If you have interest in a specific sub-specialty (and are currently researching with a prominent in the field), would you be at a loss to have them write a rec for your IM residency app? My situation is this: I'm a rising MSII, and have been interested in Cards for a while. I'm doing research with the program director of Cards at my university and am contemplating having her write a rec a few years from now. Can anyone comment on whether this is a good idea or not? Thanks.

Yes, its a good idea. Particularly if you publish something with her.
 
That's a horrible idea. IM programs only want to train generalists... specialists need not apply and letters from those people can only hurt your application.

OK...that was kind of fun. But seriously, of course you should have her write you a letter. It would be best if you did it after you also did a clinical rotation w/ her so that she can comment on not only your research acumen but your mad clinical $k177z as well (unless your clinical skills suck, then just have her comment on your research ability).

FWIW, I had 5 LORs for residency. One from my IM Chair (less than useless but required), one from the Onc PD, one from my Sub-I attending, one from my PhD advisor and one from another researcher who I collaborated with (and had a bigger name than my thesis advisor). So, out of 5 letters, only one (2 if you count the useless IM Chair letter) was from a general IM faculty member (and he was actually an ID doc who did 1 month of service a year).
 
Top