Basic LOR q (procedure/when to "waive")

[RaraBovis]

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(IMG)

I will be asking a US physician to write me an LOR. Is there some cover letter I need to give him (saw it mentioned somewhere on my AAMC account which I just opened...didn't really understand). Is there an LOR format? I know some US schools even have a sort of graded checklist (eg. excellent, aver, below average etc..along specific qualities) for LOR writing for other courses. Not sure how it works for residency applications. Is there some format/cover letter that I am to give to my LOR writer?

Also, how does one "waive" one's right to view the LOR? Does it really make the LOR carry more weight?

Thanks. Quick replies will be appreciated...(please..?) !

 

[ROBINHO]

https://www.aamc.org/download/140222/data/lor_img.pdf

And there are some pretty standard things u have to do in ERAS too
U have to reserve a slot at my eras. It is straight forward...go to doscuments and reserve a slot=finalize LOR.

And also you have to fill out a Document Submission Form(DSF) at ECFMG (google it). This has to be attached to the cover letter and LOR and sent to ECFMG.

Waiving makes your letter stronger. To waive it look at the Cover Letter

 

[gutonc]

(IMG)
Also, how does one "waive" one's right to view the LOR? Does it really make the LOR carry more weight?

You check a box on the cover letter. Just because you waive your right to see it doesn't mean that your letter writer can't show it to you. And if you don't waive your right to see it, you might as well not bother submitting it, especially as an IMG. It looks sketchy to PDs and you don't need to give anybody a reason to think you're sketchy.

 

[RaraBovis]

Thanks both.

Another q- how much value for an IMG does an unofficial observership have? Say, if you observed (and did minor stuff) at a doctor's private clinic as opposed to a hospital setting, how much would the observership in itself, and the LOR from that doctor matter?

Thanks again.🙂

 

[gutonc]

Thanks both.

Another q- how much value for an IMG does an unofficial observership have? Say, if you observed (and did minor stuff) at a doctor's private clinic as opposed to a hospital setting, how much would the observership in itself, and the LOR from that doctor matter?

Thanks again.🙂

Minimally but if it's all you've got, it's all you've got. That vs. a glowing but badly translated letter from your rotations in Poland (or wherever) is probably a toss up. But a good US letter is better than a great foreign letter no matter what.

 

[Law2Doc]

Thanks both.

Another q- how much value for an IMG does an unofficial observership have? Say, if you observed (and did minor stuff) at a doctor's private clinic as opposed to a hospital setting, how much would the observership in itself, and the LOR from that doctor matter?

Thanks again.🙂

For IMGs the more experience you have working in a US system with US residents and attendings, the better. I suspect there are quite a few residencies who won't touch an IMG who hasn't found a way to do a near equivalent of a US third year rotation in that specialty because without it the learning curve is too steep. If you are asking the question because you are choosing a setting in which to work, then by all means do the hospital option. Otherwise run with what you've got but know that it may not meet everyone's minimums.

 

[quique2]

For IMGs the more experience you have working in a US system with US residents and attendings, the better. I suspect there are quite a few residencies who won't touch an IMG who hasn't found a way to do a near equivalent of a US third year rotation in that specialty because without it the learning curve is too steep. If you are asking the question because you are choosing a setting in which to work, then by all means do the hospital option. Otherwise run with what you've got but know that it may not meet everyone's minimums.

This is really unrelated to the initial topic of the thread and I hate to hijack a thread for myself, but now that the topic has been mentioned I have a question I'd like to ask... I am a Latin American IMG and plan on applying to the 2013 Match once I am finished with medical school and the obligatory "social work"/internship year that is required to practice medicine in my country.

During my last year of medical school I did a four-month observership at a major US hospital that has an observership program for Latin American students. I did it instead of my internal medicine core rotation, and got academic credit for it. The program made us sign an agreement which stated, and I quote: "I understand that my rotation... is strictly an observational tutorial program which does not permit any direct patient contact or care." It also mentioned a couple of other restrictions, especially on procedures and surgery. Technically, and legally, we weren't allowed to do much of anything except stand around and watch. However, most of the observers actually did some serious work akin to that of the local US 3rd and 4th-year students. As an "observer", I did H&Ps in the ER and presented to the attendings alongside my assessment and plan, saw patients by myself in the outpatient clinic (full patient notes, again, H&Ps and assessment and plan) and even did the inpatient consults for one of the teams in the hospital, seeing patients by myself all around the hospital. The one thing I didn't do was write on the charts (big no-no) but I did type up my notes and had the resident submit them himself. While I technically violated the contract, all the attendings and residents were fine with it, actually asked for my help and appreciated all my work. I got great evaluations and the program will provide a LOR later on which will reflect these evaluations.

My question is, how much of a good idea would it be to mention this in interviews/applications? It's a major point in my resume and application because it was great hands-on pure US clinical experience; however, a lot of it was in violation of a contract. I don't think it's a big deal but I would hate to think PDs would think otherwise. Maybe it would look like I could be a legal liability because I don't follow the rules, or something. Maybe I could simply not mention that it was a purely observational program, or just say the truth. I'd appreciate opinions on the matter, thanks!