clarification on LORs

[weasel23]

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I feel like this comes up a lot but just want to make sure I've got it right regarding letters. Basically one medicine, one surgery, and one rads letter is about all that is required for applying rads? And then a fourth which doesn't need to be radiology related. Am I wrong? Just want to make sure I'm on the right track....

Also, at my school we rotate with a community FM doc for 4 weeks. I feel like he could write me a great letter but would it matter if he's not affiliated with the academic program?

thanks in advance

 

[deleted379552]

I feel like this comes up a lot but just want to make sure I've got it right regarding letters. Basically one medicine, one surgery, and one rads letter is about all that is required for applying rads? And then a fourth which doesn't need to be radiology related. Am I wrong? Just want to make sure I'm on the right track....

Also, at my school we rotate with a community FM doc for 4 weeks. I feel like he could write me a great letter but would it matter if he's not affiliated with the academic program?

thanks in advance

Three letters are required. Two from medicine OR surgery (i.e. doesn't need to be both). One from radiology. Academic letters are preferred.

The fourth is optional and is usually reserved for your research advisor if you have one.

 

[Radsandstuff]

I had submitted 4 to the majority of programs (except the few that explicitly stated the 4th was for research). One each from IR, DR, medicine, and surgery. That being said, I didn't do worse at programs I only submitted 3 to.

 

[Derv]

I had 2 radiology letters, 1 FM from a community doc like you do, and 1 IM. I got over 20 interview offers at awesome places. I think you will be fine with that letter. You definitely dont need a surgery letter.

 

[weasel23]

I had submitted 4 to the majority of programs (except the few that explicitly stated the 4th was for research). One each from IR, DR, medicine, and surgery. That being said, I didn't do worse at programs I only submitted 3 to.

thanks everyone for responding, makes me feel a lot better about my situation.

@Radsandstuff , were there a lot of programs that specifically required a research letter? do you know those offhand or is there a list somewhere? or would I have to dig through a bunch of program websites?

 

[Radsandstuff]

thanks everyone for responding, makes me feel a lot better about my situation.

@Radsandstuff , were there a lot of programs that specifically required a research letter? do you know those offhand or is there a list somewhere? or would I have to dig through a bunch of program websites?

I don't remember off the top of my head, I found it after digging through the websites unfortunately. Honestly, I don't think it would have negatively influenced my application if I had just done 4 everywhere. Worst case scenario they just wouldn't read one

 

[shishka32]

I am always a little confused as to what a rads letter adds. Unless you do research with them, what are they supposed to say? He sat behind me and payed attention? Who are people using for their radiologist letter?

 

[Radsandstuff]

I am always a little confused as to what a rads letter adds. Unless you do research with them, what are they supposed to say? He sat behind me and payed attention? Who are people using for their radiologist letter?

Get one from your home PD saying you are a great student and they would love to have you stay. Other than that (excepting IR), yeah it's hard to add a ton of tangible evidence to back things up

 

[Radsandstuff]

This process was super confusing and anxiety-provoking for me last year. I ended up asking for more than I needed, amd was surprised when everyone came through. Definitely better to do that than be surprised when people don't and only have 2.

 

[leadhead]

This process was super confusing and anxiety-provoking for me last year. I ended up asking for more than I needed, amd was surprised when everyone came through. Definitely better to do that than be surprised when people don't and only have 2.

I'd add that for rads you should feel comfortable using LORs from any clinical preceptor who knows you really well and has nice things to say. I had a psych attending go out of their way to offer to write me a letter and I knew they would write a good one. Despite some initial hesitation to use a psych letter, I used it and had a handful of comments about how strong my LOR's were during interviews. I ended up using 1 IM, 1 psych, and 1 from rads PD and had ~20 interview invites.

My other piece of advice would be to make sure you're the guy/gal who requests their LOR's super early (I asked for all of my letters during spring of M3 year). Many of my classmates waited until June, July and even August to request letters and while they were freaking out as the ERAS opening approached, I already had 3 letters uploaded and was much less stressed out.

 

[redoitall]

My other piece of advice would be to make sure you're the guy/gal who requests their LOR's super early

^This is paramount. I can't emphasize it enough. In fact during your M3 rotation, you should ask a letter to any attending with whom you have a good vibe. Ask more attendings that you need to. I am glad I did because one of the letter didn't come on time, but since I had back ups then I was able to submit early. Not to mention the psychological nightmare this spared me.

So start early, have back ups. You will be OK.

 

[rads22222]

^This is paramount. I can't emphasize it enough. In fact during your M3 rotation, you should ask a letter to any attending with whom you have a good vibe. Ask more attendings that you need to. I am glad I did because one of the letter didn't come on time, but since I had back ups then I was able to submit early. Not to mention the psychological nightmare this spared me.

So start early, have back ups. You will be OK.

I had two medicine letters and one rads letter. Seemed to work out fine. I agree with above to ask early

 

[Radsandstuff]

I had two medicine letters and one rads letter. Seemed to work out fine. I agree with above to ask early

Also support. The stress of having to pick between letters was definitely better than the stress my friends experienced having to ask late. I got all but one in M3, and the last one was the first rotation of M4. Just go into rotations with the mindset that it might be a future letter. I def found letter writers in surprising places