Cover Letters

[Aspiring DO]

Hello! Does anyone have any samples or information on how to write a MSIII cover letter? I have heard that some preceptors ask for these when writing a letter of rec. Thanks in advance!

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[pincheeric]

Maybe others will feel differently about this but I don't think there's any reason to be getting letters of rec in your 3rd year (UNLESS they are for some sort of scholarship or other similar thing). When you get your LoRs for ERAS you need to have your AAMC number in the letter, which won't be assigned to you until around July of your MSIV year. If you really think you have found someone you want to write you a letter tell them that and let them know you will continue to check in with them regularly to update them on your progress in medical school. Then you send them an email every 2 months reminding them you're alive until it's actually time to get the letter.

 

[Law2Doc]

Maybe others will feel differently about this but I don't think there's any reason to be getting letters of rec in your 3rd year (UNLESS they are for some sort of scholarship or other similar thing). When you get your LoRs for ERAS you need to have your AAMC number in the letter, which won't be assigned to you until around July of your MSIV year. If you really think you have found someone you want to write you a letter tell them that and let them know you will continue to check in with them regularly to update them on your progress in medical school. Then you send them an email every 2 months reminding them you're alive until it's actually time to get the letter.

Actually you already have your AAMC number from when you took the MCAT, if you kept records of it. Asking for letters while folks still remember you is actually a really good idea. Many people found it much harder to go back and get strong letters from folks from third year rotations once many months have gone by and the attendings can't recall exactly what they liked about you -- the letters become much more generic the longer you wait. At a minimum you might want to ask folks if it's okay to come back to them for a letter down the road, so that they can make better notes.

 

[Taus]

-I also think that it's much better to ask for a LOR directly after the rotation that you want to get it from...even if its in 3rd year.

-You can use the official ERAS cover letter and just put "not yet available" for the AAMC number if you don't have it/can't find it. When you sign up for ERAS as a 4th year it will tell you your number.

-Most want this cover letter b/c it includes the option to waive (or not to waive) your rights to see the letter. I was going to attach a copy of it here for you, but the one I have has PCOM's address on the PDF file. You can probably ask your student affairs office for it...or maybe some current 4th years at your school.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

-I also think that it's much better to ask for a LOR directly after the rotation that you want to get it from...even if its in 3rd year.

-You can use the official ERAS cover letter and just put "not yet available" for the AAMC number if you don't have it/can't find it. When you sign up for ERAS as a 4th year it will tell you your number.

-Most want this cover letter b/c it includes the option to waive (or not to waive) your rights to see the letter. I was going to attach a copy of it here for you, but the one I have has PCOM's address on the PDF file. You can probably ask your student affairs office for it...or maybe some current 4th years at your school.

Agreed.

I collected my LORs during 3rd year. I'd wait until the beginning of my last week of the rotation and then ask them for the letter. That way the attending had a week to observe me closely and to ask me for any additional documents.

By application time I had my Medicine, Surgery and 2 Ophtho letters in hand! No waiting or last minute scrambling for letters.

 

[Law2Doc]

-You can use the official ERAS cover letter and just put "not yet available" for the AAMC number if you don't have it/can't find it. When you sign up for ERAS as a 4th year it will tell you your number.

Again, you already have an AAMC number. Just dig up your old AMCAS/MCAT records and you will find it. You don't have to wait until you sign up for ERAS if you kept records.

 

[pincheeric]

Another thing to consider is that you may change your mind about what you plan to apply to during your 3rd year. While it's not the end of the world to have too many letters, you may end up with some peeved letter writers when they find out they wrote you a letter for nothing. It might not matter if you go from Peds to Ortho, but it might matter if you go from G Surg to Ortho since those people may talk. Again, it probably won't matter, but just something to consider.

FYI the ERAS cover letter is here:
http://www.aamc.org/students/eras/resources/downloads/2009lorcoverus.pdf