Do Most GSurg Programs require 3 or 4 LORs?

[Blitz2006]

I"m seeing threads where ppl are asking about "4th LOR"...I just assumed most programs only required 3? I know there is a 4th slot on ERAS......but how many applicants actually fill it? Most programs require only 3 right?

Here's a dumb question as well. Is it better to have 4 or 3 LORs? As in, will PDs even look at the 4th or just stop at 3?

I'm pretty sure I can get 3 Surgeon LORs...but the 4th LOR might be tough. Would it be better to have 3 Surgeon LORs and 1 Gastroenterology LOR or just leave it at 3 Surgeon LORs?

Cause I will definitley have 1-2 Gastro LORs...

Cheers,

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[ACSurgeon]

I"m seeing threads where ppl are asking about "4th LOR"...I just assumed most programs only required 3? I know there is a 4th slot on ERAS......but how many applicants actually fill it? Most programs require only 3 right?

Here's a dumb question as well. Is it better to have 4 or 3 LORs? As in, will PDs even look at the 4th or just stop at 3?

I'm pretty sure I can get 3 Surgeon LORs...but the 4th LOR might be tough. Would it be better to have 3 Surgeon LORs and 1 Gastroenterology LOR or just leave it at 3 Surgeon LORs?

Cause I will definitley have 1-2 Gastro LORs...

Cheers,

Most programs do require 3 but will accept 4... very few actually require 4. Most programs require a letter from your chairman, which in my case, was through a meeting I had with the chairman (so it's more of a generic letter than one from experience working with me). So, I wanted to send in 4 because I felt like that would be 3 "real" letters plus my chairman letter.

Regarding sending in a GI letter, I would NOT unless this is someone who's known you for a couple of years and can speak to numerous aspects of your candidacy (research, clinical work, personality, etc). Even then, some will tell you not to send it.

Hope this helps.

 

[Blitz2006]

Thanks for that,

BTW, I'm a British IMG...so what exactly is a 'chairman'? And would this chairman requirement to IMGs as well? Or would it be better to just throw in a surgeon LOR that I rotated with?

Most programs do require 3 but will accept 4... very few actually require 4. Most programs require a letter from your chairman, which in my case, was through a meeting I had with the chairman (so it's more of a generic letter than one from experience working with me). So, I wanted to send in 4 because I felt like that would be 3 "real" letters plus my chairman letter.

Regarding sending in a GI letter, I would NOT unless this is someone who's known you for a couple of years and can speak to numerous aspects of your candidacy (research, clinical work, personality, etc). Even then, some will tell you not to send it.

Hope this helps.

 

[ACSurgeon]

Thanks for that,

BTW, I'm a British IMG...so what exactly is a 'chairman'? And would this chairman requirement to IMGs as well? Or would it be better to just throw in a surgeon LOR that I rotated with?

The chairman letter is a letter you get from the chairman of your surgery department. Here, we meet with out chairman in August, and they write a letter based on our application/discussion. Most academic places that I've looked at require it (based on their websites). I'm not sure what their policy is for IMG. You'll have to call/email programs and/or ask a IMG who has been through this before you.

 

[Alex57]

Thanks for that,

BTW, I'm a British IMG...so what exactly is a 'chairman'? And would this chairman requirement to IMGs as well? Or would it be better to just throw in a surgeon LOR that I rotated with?

The chairman is like the head of the department of the surgery. I don't know what the equivalent is called in the UK. I think it can only help you to have a letter of recommendation from that person. Some programs even require it. If you're not sure and it doesn't say on the program website, I would probably just contact the program directly.