asking for a LOR from my 1st rotation - need advice!

[littleasian]

im a few days away from completing my first rotation. i've gotten to be pretty close with the docs; ive gotten to know them on a person-to-person basis and they invite me to see cool things whenever possible. now this being my first rotation i've obviously made some bone-headed mistakes but i think that i'm doing decent and they're''''' always compliment me on doing a great job

so now im thinking of asking for a LOR from my preceptor but there are a few things that are causing me to hesitate.

1. how useful are LOR's from the 1st/2nd rotations of your 3rd year when applying for residencies?
2. they compliment me on doing a good job but i've made several REALLY dumb mistakes, and i don't know if i really am doing a good job or if they're just being nice
3. im deathly afraid of getting shot down/or forcing them into an uncomfortable position where they write me a mediocre letter

so what should i do/how should i approach this situation? these guys are some of the most talented physicians out there and i feel like it could be a big boost, but i just dont know if i've wowed them enough 🙁

thx!

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[DrBowtie]

I'd wait at least until you get your evaluations. If they blast you, obviously the mistakes overshadowed other performances.

Couple other points:
1) Is this the field you are planning to go into? No need to get an average medicine letter if you are applying for surgery
2) Some will offer to write you a letter if they really like you. If you have to ask use the phrase would you feel comfortable writing me a "strong LOR".

 

[drizzt3117]

I'd generally avoid asking for a lot from your first rotation, even if you're going into the field, you'll probably do a rotation in it before eras goes in.

 

[iA-MD2013]

I was wondering the same thing. Just finished my first rotation. I really hit it off with one of the attendings and spent a lot of time with her during the rotation. My problem is that I don't know what specialty I'm going into. Can I still ask her for a generic LOR or does the LOR writer have to know the field youre applying to?

I know it's early...but I know she would write me a good letter.

 

[mixmikeup]

Just went through the same scenario a few days ago. 1st rotation, and I'm not going into this field, but got to know the attending really well and I think he would write a great letter. So I just got some stuff together (CV n' stuff) and basically said something like, "Hey Dr. So and so, I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this rotation. I know this was my first rotation, and so I don't have a lot to compare it to, but I learned a lot, I really liked the procedures, I really liked the patients, and although I don't know yet what I'm going to go into, I would like to at least do a Sub Internship in this field to explore it further. (etc etc etc....) I know you are very busy, but if you have time would you feel comfortable writing a strong letter of recommendation?

Then depending on the reaction, you can end up using the letter or not. You don't have to send it just because they wrote it. In my case he sounded enthusiastic that I was interested and really pleased that I asked him to write a letter, so if his reviews are also good, then I'll probably use it. But I figure if his response had been less positive, or if his reviews are not stellar, then its only the first rotation so there will be plenty (hopefully) of other opportunities.

I don't know how your school works, but here the letters all get sent in to student affairs where they hang on to them until residency applications, at which point you can choose which letters to include.

Hope that helps!

 

[Perrotfish]

I say ask them, directly and in person. Ideally if/when they give you any end of rotation comments, because:

1) There's a good chance they'll say yes, and if you decide on this specialty for a profession you might not have an opportunity to rotate with two more attendings from that specialty before the match

2) IF they say yes, I think it invests them in your perfromance. They might feel akward writing you a mediocore, no comments evaluation if they had already agreed to give you an LOR, so for consistency's sake they might boost your grade

3) If you wait until the match to come back and ask they will probably forget you

2. they compliment me on doing a good job but i've made several REALLY dumb mistakes, and i don't know if i really am doing a good job or if they're just being nice
3. im deathly afraid of getting shot down/or forcing them into an uncomfortable position where they write me a mediocre letter

4) These are their problems, not yours. They are free to say no to a letter, and if its akward, well, you've probably been feeling akward for two full months now. Its time for them to share in the experience.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

I told my attending that her speciality was still on my list of possible residency fields and asked if she would be open to writing me a letter when it comes to applying for residency.

If you click with the people already you may as well ask now...keep in touch over the next few months and let them know what you are up to. That way if you want the letter later they haven't forgotten about you.

I actually asked my Dean if they want letters now if they are offered by attendings and he said not until they are actually writing our letters.

 

[JohnGT]

Instead of asking for a recommendation letter now, you should consider asking to work on a small academic project with that attending over the next few months. Even if the field isn't what you decide to go into, the academic project serves as basis for a better letter and for expression of academic interest. Examples of what can be a good project include working on a case report, analysis of submitted data points, or even help with an attendings lecture/small group presentation.

 

[2012mdc]

I'd generally avoid asking for a lot from your first rotation, even if you're going into the field, you'll probably do a rotation in it before eras goes in.

If OP impressed them then why not? There's no reason to be timid to ask for a letter from Surgery or Medicine just because it was the 1st rotation.

Surgery was my 1st rotation and I got a great eval so it's one of my LOR's

 

[turkeyjerky]

Ask them--make sure you do it in person and ask if they'd be able to write you a strong letter, which is a legitimate question. Say something like, "I know it was my first rotation and I made some mistakes related to my inexperience, but would you be able to write me a strong LOR?"

Then keep the letter in your back pocket, and only send submit it to programs next year if you're not able to get enough letters from other rotations. There's no harm in having too many.

 

[msupaintballer]

OK here is some quick advice on your letters of Rec.

I like to usually ask in the beginning of the last week of the rotation. Don't wait to the last day. I usually also submitted a copy of my CV & personal statement to the write at the time. This gives them more information about you or may remind them of your past hobbies or interested that you may have discussed with them. Also, it allows them to get to know you better and makes a better connection between you and attending.

Also, you wont hear this from most students but the best advice I received and follow it myself is ask for a copy of the letter personally. I usually ask for three copies, signed and sealed in envelopes. This way, you have one sealed copy for your school, one to send off if needed and one to open for your personal file.

Read your letters, you may be suprised at how strong or ehh so so a letter may be. I have had attendings write me the most outstanding letters which I am for sure going to submit and have had attendings write me letters that are standard. You want to read them so you know which ones are your strongest to submit. Dont submit blind! It also didnt help that most my mentors wrote it in front of me or submitted me a copy before they finalized it so i saw it anyway.
Some attendings will ask you to write your own letter. Its up to you on whether or not you want to write it. Personally, I did it for one and although i wrote a strong letter, there is no pride as its coming from you. Also dont be afraid to give them a time frame, without one they may put it aside for months and you may never get it. It sounds demanding but really its not.

Next, always follow up with a thank you letter and if you have their contact info, keep in contact personally. I happen to befriend a handful of my attendings and they are now mentors. When i have days off I will call them and go scrub with them in cases or come in to be taught more. This will help build your relationship even more.

 

[deleted245139]

OK here is some quick advice on your letters of Rec.

I like to usually ask in the beginning of the last week of the rotation. Don't wait to the last day. I usually also submitted a copy of my CV & personal statement to the write at the time. This gives them more information about you or may remind them of your past hobbies or interested that you may have discussed with them. Also, it allows them to get to know you better and makes a better connection between you and attending.

Also, you wont hear this from most students but the best advice I received and follow it myself is ask for a copy of the letter personally. I usually ask for three copies, signed and sealed in envelopes. This way, you have one sealed copy for your school, one to send off if needed and one to open for your personal file.

Read your letters, you may be suprised at how strong or ehh so so a letter may be. I have had attendings write me the most outstanding letters which I am for sure going to submit and have had attendings write me letters that are standard. You want to read them so you know which ones are your strongest to submit. Dont submit blind! It also didnt help that most my mentors wrote it in front of me or submitted me a copy before they finalized it so i saw it anyway.
Some attendings will ask you to write your own letter. Its up to you on whether or not you want to write it. Personally, I did it for one and although i wrote a strong letter, there is no pride as its coming from you. Also dont be afraid to give them a time frame, without one they may put it aside for months and you may never get it. It sounds demanding but really its not.

Next, always follow up with a thank you letter and if you have their contact info, keep in contact personally. I happen to befriend a handful of my attendings and they are now mentors. When i have days off I will call them and go scrub with them in cases or come in to be taught more. This will help build your relationship even more.

👍: VERY helpful, thanks for the information!

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

I'd generally avoid asking for a lot from your first rotation, even if you're going into the field, you'll probably do a rotation in it before eras goes in.

Meh, I disagree with this. Early on in third year it's easy to brush off letter opportunities. Now having gone through the whole ERAS process I tell everyone to ask whoever they can and they can be the judge of which ones to use later one. Remember everyone, you can have numerous letters but most programs will only want 3-4 so you can be super selective about which one's you choose to use. What you don't want to do is to scramble for letters in the beginning of fourth year.

As for asking for a LOR, it really depends on the dynamic. I never waited for an evaluation to come back before asking because I always had a strong sense of how I did with my team. One recommendation is to speak with your resident/intern about how they felt you did and ask if they feel like the attending thinks you are strong student clerk. They have the most contact with the attending and will likely know better. They also have opportunities to speak on your behalf to the attending.

And needless to say, ALWAYS SPECIFY "strong letter of recommendation" when asking for a letter. Anyone can write a piece of sh-t garbage letter. You may not get a chance to read the letter since you're technically not supposed to. Better make sure the letter writer is clear on what you want in an LOR.

 

[Rollo]

OK here is some quick advice on your letters of Rec.

I like to usually ask in the beginning of the last week of the rotation. Don't wait to the last day. I usually also submitted a copy of my CV & personal statement to the write at the time. This gives them more information about you or may remind them of your past hobbies or interested that you may have discussed with them. Also, it allows them to get to know you better and makes a better connection between you and attending.

Also, you wont hear this from most students but the best advice I received and follow it myself is ask for a copy of the letter personally. I usually ask for three copies, signed and sealed in envelopes. This way, you have one sealed copy for your school, one to send off if needed and one to open for your personal file.

Read your letters, you may be suprised at how strong or ehh so so a letter may be. I have had attendings write me the most outstanding letters which I am for sure going to submit and have had attendings write me letters that are standard. You want to read them so you know which ones are your strongest to submit. Dont submit blind! It also didnt help that most my mentors wrote it in front of me or submitted me a copy before they finalized it so i saw it anyway.
Some attendings will ask you to write your own letter. Its up to you on whether or not you want to write it. Personally, I did it for one and although i wrote a strong letter, there is no pride as its coming from you. Also dont be afraid to give them a time frame, without one they may put it aside for months and you may never get it. It sounds demanding but really its not.

Next, always follow up with a thank you letter and if you have their contact info, keep in contact personally. I happen to befriend a handful of my attendings and they are now mentors. When i have days off I will call them and go scrub with them in cases or come in to be taught more. This will help build your relationship even more.

I thought it was recommended that you waive your right to read the letter that was submitted, and this in turn looks better when residencies download your application?

I'm totally confused. Can someone clear this up?

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

I thought it was recommended that you waive your right to read the letter that was submitted, and this in turn looks better when residencies download your application?

I'm totally confused. Can someone clear this up?

Yes you should waive it and some schools require that you do before they upload the letter to your ERAS.

But then again, no one is going to stop the letter writer from sending you said letter to review before he/she finalizes it.

 

[DocSurgeon]

Always, always, always ask for a letter. The worst they can say is "no"

My best two letters came from attendings I didn't even think would write me a LoR. Two attendings I banked on writing for me never followed through. You just never know.

Honestly. Seriously. Cannot stress this enough... Just ask.