An Early Recommendation for Residency?

[sherina926]

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How Early is Too Early?

I recently got accepted for the August 2013 Class! I want to go for Psychiatry. I am still working as a Psychiatric Assistant. I work around the Chairman of Psychiatry. I was thinking to ask the Chairman, before I resign, to write a recommendation for residency.. since I already got into medical school. I dont know if I can pop up years later to ask him, so I figured to ask now while he still remembers me!

Since he is familiar with me working in a clinical setting and he's a Chairman I thought he would be a perfect candidate!

Is this a good idea? 👍

Is it too early for recommendations for residency since I didnt even start Medical School yet? 😕

Will it look weird? 👎

Should I not care and just ask for it anyway? 😎

Any input is appreciated! 😀

 

[JP2740]

Seems kinda weird but idk. Honestly you might not even end up going into psychiatry in the end. You have a long ways to go, but someone else might be able to chime in with something more direct than my mindless meandering.

 

[DrMom]

Your residency recommendations are based on your performance as a medical student. If you rotate with him as an MS3-4, then asking for a recommendation would be appropriate at that time.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

Your residency recommendations are based on your performance as a medical student. If you rotate with him as an MS3-4, then asking for a recommendation would be appropriate at that time.

Trust DrMom on this, OP. A letter from before medical school is a no. A letter from MS1-2 faculty is almost always a no. Letters come from MS3-4 clerkship faculty.

 

[xrevision]

A recommendation letter should take note of your clerkship performance as a medical student. Also, chill out. You don't have to choose a specialty yet.

 

[LossForWords]

Your residency recommendations are based on your performance as a medical student. If you rotate with him as an MS3-4, then asking for a recommendation would be appropriate at that time.

I would absolutely recommend trying to rotate with this attending sometime during your 3rd/4th year. Even if you head off to a different med school, I'd consider doing an away rotation so you can get a letter from this attending. The letter of rec he/she writes can then stretch back to include your pre-med work and will probably be all the more glowing because of it.

 

[Stellar Clouds]

How Early is Too Early?

Before 3rd year.

Is this a good idea? 👍

No.

Is it too early for recommendations for residency since I didnt even start Medical School yet? 😕

Yes. See first response.

Will it look weird? 👎

Yes.

Should I not care and just ask for it anyway? 😎

No.

 

[Sheldor]

Before 3rd year.

No.

Yes. See first response.

Yes.

No.

If you think the letter would be amazing, feel free to let them know you'll coke do a rotation with them fourth year with the intent of earning a letter. That way they keep you in mind, and certainly stay in touch with them the next few years as a mentor, which is a great way to build rapport.