Chair Letter

[Furuncle]

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The theme of this message is: I am an idiot.
So, today as I was leaving the hospital, I ran into a fellow 4th yr who's also going into peds. Turns out he was coming from meeting with the chair of the dept to get his chair letter written. Hmm...I was under the (apparently) misguided impression that peds programs don't require letters from the chair. I've since found out that out of the programs I'm applying to, one requires a letter, and three others "strongly suggest" it. SO...did everyone else get letters from the chair, or am I worrying over nothing?
Please be gentle.

 

[fourthyearmed]

I did get a letter from the chairman because the website of 1 (MUSC) of my 12 programs said you needed one. The other programs said nothing about needing one. Since I had gotten it, I went ahead and sent it to all the programs along with my other 3 LORs to be safe. I thought it was pretty silly because the Chair was brand new at our school and didn't know me. You'll probably be fine at the majority of your schools but if you're set on one of the schools that suggest it, I'd try to get one fast!

 

[WilliB]

Someone told me that UNC requires a Chair letter, so I just belatedly sent mine to them yesterday... I had met with the Chair cause I heard he likes to meet all of us going into Peds, but I didn't send the letter out to many programs cause I have no idea what he could say about me from the very brief meeting we had!

I didn't know MUSC required a Chair letter though! I've already set up my interview, but I guess I'll send them the letter too then.

Good luck all...

 

[GeneGoddess]

About six places I applied to (including UNC) asked for a Chair letter. And he STILL hasn't written it!!!

 

[kas23]

Chair letters seem more of a formality to me. They are sort of like the Dean's letter, but more specific for the field you are entering. And most programs realize what little utility they have, but tradition is tradition. With that being said, just go and meet with the dude and get the letter.

 

[notstudying]

When I was going through this our chair met with and "wrote" letters for all students going into peds...

However, it was more like the Dean's letter-the Chair's secretary got our files from the registrar and actually wrote the letter, so I don't think it could hurt you if the Chair doesn't know you.

 

[Furuncle]

Thanks very much for the info. I e-mailed the chair, asking if I could meet with him about the letter. He very nicely said "no problem", we can meet in a month (I'm going away to do a Sub-I soon). So it sounds like I'll be able to get a letter taht I won't be able to use. Oh, well.