drilled on not having a LOR from ECs

[Dr. Czech]

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I've been fortunate to have had good interviews. Never had anyone questioned my LOR, until my last interview when the dean called me into his office. He wanted to know who I asked for LORs, so I told him. He then asks me in a suspicious tone as why I didn't get a letter from a ER and another hospital I I volunteered in. Well, I don't know about you guys' experience volunteering in trauma-one ERs, especially in an urban area, but much of what you do is scut and since everyone is so busy you're never under direct supervision; so naturally I didn't bother to worry about a LOR from this experience as well as another experience at a similiar hospial.

He then proceeds to ask me about details from this volunteer experiences. HE THOUGHT I HAD MADE THEM UP OR SOMETHING! I don't know if I went out of line, but I interjected that he was welcommed to phone my contacts from those ECs since my hours had been logged. He didn't stop there, he went on to say that he thought it was weird that I went to school in X but said I worked at Y since they were so far from each other. Turns out he use to live in the area so he thought he had some insider perspective on my application. I was like, it only takes 20-30 minutes on the freeway. In short, I was offended that I'm considering withdrawing my application. I made sure to tell him that he was welcomed to phone my contacts.

Anyone had any similiar experiences?

 

[nochaser]

Wow! Do you think that perhaps this was the interviewer's way of trying to pull off the infamous "stress" interview? If not, then maybe there was a situation this cycle that involved some bogus apps and they're overrreacting as a result? Maybe the interviewer was just having a really crappy day, or had a bad interviewee before you. I can't answer for the ER LOR situation, but I can understand what you mean about not really working close enough with one person that would be capable of writing a strong LOR under the circumstances. I would not withdraw the app if I were you. In fact, this guy may just take you up on verifying the EC's, and cast a vote in your favor. Good luck!