Elective or go for recommendation?

[turkdlit]

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Hello all,

I'm a 3rd year osteopathic student. Decent numbers, but not stellar, applying for 2009 match. I've set up electives in NY, Philly and Pittsburgh and have August '08 open at the moment. How should I use that month?

a) Elective at NY program which I'm interested in
b) Month long research elective with "big-wig" contact at Wilmer, which would likely lead to a good LOR

At the moment, I have a LOR from a general surgery attending and an attending from BPEI. I was thinking the third LOR from the Wilmer faculty would be great, but am worried I would secure it at the earliest in September, which is a little late to be submitting my CAS...

Any suggestions/opinions would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Turk.

 

[turkdlit]

Anybody? Bumpity-bump...

Hello all,

I'm a 3rd year osteopathic student. Decent numbers, but not stellar, applying for 2009 match. I've set up electives in NY, Philly and Pittsburgh and have August '08 open at the moment. How should I use that month?

a) Elective at NY program which I'm interested in
b) Month long research elective with "big-wig" contact at Wilmer, which would likely lead to a good LOR

At the moment, I have a LOR from a general surgery attending and an attending from BPEI. I was thinking the third LOR from the Wilmer faculty would be great, but am worried I wouldn secure it at the earliest in September, which is a little late to be submitting my CAS...

Any suggestions/opinions would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Turk.

 

[alleyesonme]

Relax and enjoy 4th year! You already have 3 away electives set up at NY, Philly, and Pittsburgh, work on getting a LOR from one of the attendings there (not sure what programs you are going to, but I bet there are a few "big wigs" in the mix if that is what you are striving for). In regards to research, do it only if you are truly interested in research. It is cutting it close for a letter, but not impossible. Don't drive yourself crazy over-analyzing what programs want in a candidate, rather pursue your own interests, whether that means research, international work, teaching, etc.