3 LORs

[rkaz]

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Hello... just a quick question. Is it okay to only have 3 LORs? I already submitted my application and have a number of interview invites. However, my 3 LORs are all from my 3rd year core rotations (1 in my desired specialty, and 2 in other specialties). I did an away rotation this year as a 4th year, and one of the attendings had agreed to write me a 4th letter. However, she has not responded to my follow up email.

Most of my programs only require 3 letters. I was just wondering if it will look bad during ranking time not to have that 4th letter from a 4th year away rotation as I assumed having a letter from a 4th year away rotation was expected. Unfortunately I'm in a bind as that attending spent the most time with me, and other attendings do not know me much to write me any letter. I don't want to pester the attending, since I am already getting plenty of interviews... but I only want to ask her again if it makes a difference. Thanks!

 

[scarletgirl777]

Hello... just a quick question. Is it okay to only have 3 LORs? I already submitted my application and have a number of interview invites. However, my 3 LORs are all from my 3rd year core rotations (1 in my desired specialty, and 2 in other specialties). I did an away rotation this year as a 4th year, and one of the attendings had agreed to write me a 4th letter. However, she has not responded to my follow up email.

Most of my programs only require 3 letters. I was just wondering if it will look bad during ranking time not to have that 4th letter from a 4th year away rotation as I assumed having a letter from a 4th year away rotation was expected. Unfortunately I'm in a bind as that attending spent the most time with me, and other attendings do not know me much to write me any letter. I don't want to pester the attending, since I am already getting plenty of interviews... but I only want to ask her again if it makes a difference. Thanks!

I would think you would want at least 2 specialty specific letters, just in case the letter you have is so-so and to show that more than 1 person thinks you'd be a good fit for the field. I've noticed some programs only seem to require 1 but that's my opinion

 

[Stellar Clouds]

Hello... just a quick question. Is it okay to only have 3 LORs? I already submitted my application and have a number of interview invites. However, my 3 LORs are all from my 3rd year core rotations (1 in my desired specialty, and 2 in other specialties). I did an away rotation this year as a 4th year, and one of the attendings had agreed to write me a 4th letter. However, she has not responded to my follow up email.

Most of my programs only require 3 letters. I was just wondering if it will look bad during ranking time not to have that 4th letter from a 4th year away rotation as I assumed having a letter from a 4th year away rotation was expected. Unfortunately I'm in a bind as that attending spent the most time with me, and other attendings do not know me much to write me any letter. I don't want to pester the attending, since I am already getting plenty of interviews... but I only want to ask her again if it makes a difference. Thanks!

If you are getting plenty of invites, I wouldn't worry about getting a fourth letter. To what specialty are you applying?

 

[rkaz]

Thanks, I'm applying to Psychiatry.

 

[Doctor Bob]

You are fine. If progams are only asking for 3, and if you're getting invites, then that is sufficient.

 

[rkaz]

Thanks everyone. 👍 Yes, it would be nice to have at least 2 specialty specific letters, rather than 1. However, I know one of my other letters (written by an IM doc) mentions my interest in psychiatry - as the attending had sent me a copy of the letter after submitting it. So hopefully having non-psych docs expressing my interest in psych will make up for the lack of the 2nd psych letter.