chair LOR a must?

[sendwich]

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I have 4 letters plus a chair letter (as some programs request this, esp surgical ones). But I hardly worked with him so I'm betting it's going to be pretty generic. Would it be okay not to submit a chair letter to programs that don't specify this on their website, or are chair letters pretty standard? I think the 4th LOR that I want to use (instead of chair letter) is a better letter.,

 

[ZagDoc]

What are you applying into? Sounds like a question for your home institution's program director. I know certain fields highly value chair letters (esp surgical specialties). If you don't include it, there will be questions on your application on why you didnt. Other fields, I'm not so familiar with.

 

[sendwich]

What are you applying into? Sounds like a question for your home institution's program director. I know certain fields highly value chair letters (esp surgical specialties). If you don't include it, there will be questions on your application on why you didnt. Other fields, I'm not so familiar with.

gen surg.

 

[ZagDoc]

gen surg.

Absolutely include the chair's letter than, even if the program doesnt specifically ask for it. Most programs understand the chair's letter won't be particularly fluffy or insightful, but not including it would be a red flag. That's at least what I've been told.

 

[swtiepie711]

What about for less competitive specialties like peds? So far, very few (1-2) programs I've looked at require a chairs letter - if they require 3 letters, and u have 3 strong letters what's the benefit of including a 4th chairs ho-hum letter?
Also, I heard u should submit the number they ask for (ie ask for 3, submit 3 not 4) as they don't want to be bogged down w/ excess- anyone else heard this? Thx!

 

[sendwich]

Absolutely include the chair's letter than, even if the program doesnt specifically ask for it. Most programs understand the chair's letter won't be particularly fluffy or insightful, but not including it would be a red flag. That's at least what I've been told.

what's the purpose of the chair letter? seems like it would sorta be another MSPE.

 

[smq123]

Also, I heard u should submit the number they ask for (ie ask for 3, submit 3 not 4) as they don't want to be bogged down w/ excess- anyone else heard this? Thx!

Yes. It also shows that you can follow directions. 😉

what's the purpose of the chair letter? seems like it would sorta be another MSPE.

It kinda, sorta is. Since you rarely work closely with the chairman, most chair letters are either form letters, or letters that the applicant wrote themselves that the chairman signs.

I'm not sure what the original purpose was.

 

[Mandelbrot]

Anyone know about prelim medicine programs? A lot of websites only have directions for categorical applicants, and some of them ask for a chair letter. Do you think they require one for prelims too?

 

[swtiepie711]

Smq123 - thx for the reply. What about programs that say "minimum 2, no max" - would u still send 2 or send 3? My dean said to send 3 (so as to include a really strong letter I have written by someone not in the field I'm applying to, the other 2 letters are in the field). 2 seems so little. And one school says "1 chair letter, 1 other letter" are required but then specifically states there is no max - when chair letters are usually fairly generic, I'd think a 3rd letter from someone who knows you would be helpful.

 

[sendwich]

thanks for all your replies, everybody!

there seems to be an inverse relationship between the time spent on eras and common sense. just need to submit the damn thing 🙁

 

[Ludicolo]

Anyone know about prelim medicine programs? A lot of websites only have directions for categorical applicants, and some of them ask for a chair letter. Do you think they require one for prelims too?

It's an individual thing. Some do, some don't.

 

[twilightdoc]

What about for less competitive specialties like peds? So far, very few (1-2) programs I've looked at require a chairs letter - if they require 3 letters, and u have 3 strong letters what's the benefit of including a 4th chairs ho-hum letter? Also, I heard u should submit the number they ask for (ie ask for 3, submit 3 not 4) as they don't want to be bogged down w/ excess- anyone else heard this? Thx!

Very few Peds programs still ask for "chair letters", and they might accept a departmental letter written by the clerkship director or Peds program director instead. My advice would be to have 3 strong letters from people with whom you have worked, with at least one (maybe 2) being a Peds faculty member. No harm in a strong letter from a medicine or surgery attending. And use the chair letter as a 4th letter, sent only to those programs that request it. (If you have worked with the Peds chair and he/she actually knows you from direct clinical contact, then the "chair letter" could be one of your 3 main letters). I wouldn't send more than 4 letters, though.

 

[sendwich]

Another related question. What's the policy on sending letters to a program where you are applying? I did an away and the attending who I will be getting a letter from is also in the committee. So go ahead and send or pick another letter? Same for home program...have letter from PD.