ERAS Letters of Rec

[fldoctorgirl]

Hey all! Gonna try and keep this as brief as possible. I'm a current M3 so just trying to start figuring out this stuff. Planning on applying IM more than likely.

1) From my brief google search, it seems like you can just store LoRs in ERAS and don't necessarily have to use them when it comes time to submit apps. Is this correct?
2) How do you sense whether someone will write a "good" letter? I'm wrapping up my first rotation in FM. It was preceptor-based, so I worked really closely with the attending, who is constantly saying how impressed they are with me and what not (to be fair, they say this to the other student I'm with as well, so not sure how meaningful it is). I was thinking of maybe asking for a letter, and just keeping it stored in ERAS so I can determine whether I want to use it or not at a later date. Do I wait until after grades have posted, so I can see what they said about me? Do I just go ahead and ask on the last day, so that I can ask in person and they still remember me well? Do I wait till like March/April of next year to ask? Is it way too early to start gathering these?
3) I see that you can either view your LoR on the portal, or waive your right to view it. What is the general consensus on what to do here?
4) What else do I need to know about this process?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Neopolymath]

1. Yes, when you school emails you your ERAS token it (if they haven't already) that gives you the ability to upload LORs using the system.
2. You are on the right track. Letter strategy varies greatly by specialty. Universally, it is better to have too many and not use them because you get better ones later and it's better to ask in person while they still know you. So, it makes sense to just be aggressive with working hard and soliciting letters. The alternative is not a place you want to be!
3. Always waive your right on the portal. Always!
4. You need to see what the IM people say about required LORs. Let's say next year is normal. That means you will get an IM chair letter from your school as a letter. Usually people get a letter from their IM sub-i as it is proof you will work well in IM and you will be at your best form during med school. Then you have 2 more letters from clinicians or researchers. Being a DO, the advice about getting authors "known" in the field probably isn't going to happen lol so just get letters that say the magic words "performed at level of intern" "will recruit this student to our program". You can start to read the room based on your growing experience and feedback as to who writes letters regularly and thus knows what to put in them.

Hopefully this gets the thread rolling as there are more nuances.

@AlteredScale

 

[Vulf]

1. Yes, when you school emails you your ERAS token it (if they haven't already) that gives you the ability to upload LORs using the system.
2. You are on the right track. Letter strategy varies greatly by specialty. Universally, it is better to have too many and not use them because you get better ones later and it's better to ask in person while they still know you. So, it makes sense to just be aggressive with working hard and soliciting letters. The alternative is not a place you want to be!
3. Always waive your right on the portal. Always!
4. You need to see what the IM people say about required LORs. Let's say next year is normal. That means you will get an IM chair letter from your school as a letter. Usually people get a letter from their IM sub-i as it is proof you will work well in IM and you will be at your best form during med school. Then you have 2 more letters from clinicians or researchers. Being a DO, the advice about getting authors "known" in the field probably isn't going to happen lol so just get letters that say the magic words "performed at level of intern" "will recruit this student to our program". You can start to read the room based on your growing experience and feedback as to who writes letters regularly and thus knows what to put in them.

Agreed.

For 2., I think it's best to ask in-person while they remember you well (within a few weeks of the end of the required rotation). It's never too early to start gathering letters unless you're unsure about what specialty you're going into. Also, be prepared to have a CV, transcript, and basic "about me" bio or PS drafted to give to them so they can write your letter more effectively.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

1. Yes, when you school emails you your ERAS token it (if they haven't already) that gives you the ability to upload LORs using the system.
2. You are on the right track. Letter strategy varies greatly by specialty. Universally, it is better to have too many and not use them because you get better ones later and it's better to ask in person while they still know you. So, it makes sense to just be aggressive with working hard and soliciting letters. The alternative is not a place you want to be!
3. Always waive your right on the portal. Always!
4. You need to see what the IM people say about required LORs. Let's say next year is normal. That means you will get an IM chair letter from your school as a letter. Usually people get a letter from their IM sub-i as it is proof you will work well in IM and you will be at your best form during med school. Then you have 2 more letters from clinicians or researchers. Being a DO, the advice about getting authors "known" in the field probably isn't going to happen lol so just get letters that say the magic words "performed at level of intern" "will recruit this student to our program". You can start to read the room based on your growing experience and feedback as to who writes letters regularly and thus knows what to put in them.

Hopefully this gets the thread rolling as there are more nuances.

@AlteredScale

Do schools usually send these ERAS token in the beginning of 3rd year? Because I haven't heard anything about that at my school.

 

[Vulf]

Do schools usually send these ERAS token in the beginning of 3rd year? Because I haven't anything about that at my school.

Our school has someone in administration that sends those out to us if we email them to ask. Your school probably has someone whose duty it is to send them out.

 

[slowthai]

Is interfolio still the go-to?

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Do schools usually send these ERAS token in the beginning of 3rd year? Because I haven't heard anything about that at my school.

We got ours a few weeks ago, they just came in an email from the ERAS system. No mention about it from our school itself.

 

[Neopolymath]

Do schools usually send these ERAS token in the beginning of 3rd year? Because I haven't heard anything about that at my school.

Reach out to your admin. The email comes from ERAS but is unlocked by your school.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

We got ours a few weeks ago, they just came in an email from the ERAS system. No mention about it from our school itself.

I guess I have to wait then. Students have been on rotations since July. Although, I have not started myself because I'm still in my vacation block. Maybe that's why I have not received it. I'll have to ask others to see if they receive theirs.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

4. You need to see what the IM people say about required LORs. Let's say next year is normal. That means you will get an IM chair letter from your school as a letter. Usually people get a letter from their IM sub-i as it is proof you will work well in IM and you will be at your best form during med school. Then you have 2 more letters from clinicians or researchers. Being a DO, the advice about getting authors "known" in the field probably isn't going to happen lol so just get letters that say the magic words "performed at level of intern" "will recruit this student to our program". You can start to read the room based on your growing experience and feedback as to who writes letters regularly and thus knows what to put in them.

This hits what I was curious about. I had the thought that maybe this FM letter would be...kind of a waste? I mean, I've gotten good feedback from the doc but it's also my first rotation so I'm sure I haven't blown expectations out of the water or anything like that. I still have 2 IM rotations and an IM subspecialty rotation later on this year, so those may serve as "better" letters. The only reason I thought about requesting one from this doc is because they seem to like me overall lol. So I'm just iffy on whether I should pull the trigger or not, especially if waiving the right to see it is the way to go, I'm not sure exactly how good the letter will be. Can programs see that you've chosen not to use letters?

It's never too early to start gathering letters unless you're unsure about what specialty you're going into. Also, be prepared to have a CV, transcript, and basic "about me" bio or PS drafted to give to them so they can write your letter more effectively.

I'm not 100% sure as I've just started M3, but heavily leaning towards IM. Also, don't have a PS or anything close to one yet, but I guess I could draft up a quick about me. Thanks!

 

[Neopolymath]

Is interfolio still the go-to?

Lol I wish. ERAS is the interfolio of residency apps.

 

[Neopolymath]

This hits what I was curious about. I had the thought that maybe this FM letter would be...kind of a waste? I mean, I've gotten good feedback from the doc but it's also my first rotation so I'm sure I haven't blown expectations out of the water or anything like that. I still have 2 IM rotations and an IM subspecialty rotation later on this year, so those may serve as "better" letters. The only reason I thought about requesting one from this doc is because they seem to like me overall lol. So I'm just iffy on whether I should pull the trigger or not, especially if waiving the right to see it is the way to go, I'm not sure exactly how good the letter will be. Can programs see that you've chosen not to use letters?


I'm not 100% sure as I've just started M3, but heavily leaning towards IM. Also, don't have a PS or anything close to one yet, but I guess I could draft up a quick about me. Thanks!

Programs cannot see anything but the letters you specifically assign to their program. You can send other letters to other programs.

 

[slowthai]

Lol I wish. ERAS is the interfolio of residency apps.

Dang, so then how do you store your letters before you receive your token?

 

[Neopolymath]

Dang, so then how do you store your letters before you receive your token?

You will receive your token at the start of or very, very early third year. It will be fine. Worst case you tell your attending that you will be requesting one when you are able to do so and then keep in loose contact with them. No biggie. It's not like undergrad. These people know the deal.

 

[Vulf]

This hits what I was curious about. I had the thought that maybe this FM letter would be...kind of a waste? I mean, I've gotten good feedback from the doc but it's also my first rotation so I'm sure I haven't blown expectations out of the water or anything like that. I still have 2 IM rotations and an IM subspecialty rotation later on this year, so those may serve as "better" letters. The only reason I thought about requesting one from this doc is because they seem to like me overall lol. So I'm just iffy on whether I should pull the trigger or not, especially if waiving the right to see it is the way to go, I'm not sure exactly how good the letter will be. Can programs see that you've chosen not to use letters?

Programs can only see what letters you've sent them. Your concerns are valid that it's an MS3 letter on your first rotation so you may not have shown what you truly will be capable of later on. But I'd rather have the letter anyways, especially if they like you (someone that likes you will go to bat harder for you on the letter) - you can change your mind about using it or not later on.

Waiving your right to seeing the letter is the expectation for all LORs for residency so don't feel bad about it.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You all get tokens at the beginning of 3rd year? I thought they didn't come out until the beginning of 4th year. Usually you start ERAS in June of your 3rd year (i.e. the very end), with application season opening mid Sept (the timeline is all wonky this year due to COVID). But maybe it's different now, I don't usually follow what happens on the UME side of things.

If you don't have ERAS, you can always just ask someone to write a letter and hold onto it. You can then upload it later.

You don't get to look at your letters to see which is the best. You waive your right to see them. You don't get to see them. (It's more complicated than this but you shouldn't ask).

When applying to any field, you will want, in general, at least 3 of your 4 letters to come from that field. For surgical fields it's 4 of 4 letters, with exceptions if you have a major research mentor who is not a surgeon.

In IM, you'll want one letter each from your 3rd year clerkship and 4th year SubI if possible. If you won't have a SubI in time, then a second letter from your clerkship. That's 2. If you're at a USMD school, most will write a department letter -- that's a summary letter of all your IM experience. That's 3. You have one left -- it can be anything.

In general, I wouldn't ask for a letter from your FM preceptor if it's your first rotation unless you think you're applying to FM.

 

[Neopolymath]

You all get tokens at the beginning of 3rd year? I thought they didn't come out until the beginning of 4th year. Usually you start ERAS in June of your 3rd year (i.e. the very end), with application season opening mid Sept (the timeline is all wonky this year due to COVID). But maybe it's different now, I don't usually follow what happens on the UME side of things.

If you don't have ERAS, you can always just ask someone to write a letter and hold onto it. You can then upload it later.

You don't get to look at your letters to see which is the best. You waive your right to see them. You don't get to see them. (It's more complicated than this but you shouldn't ask).

When applying to any field, you will want, in general, at least 3 of your 4 letters to come from that field. For surgical fields it's 4 of 4 letters, with exceptions if you have a major research mentor who is not a surgeon.

In IM, you'll want one letter each from your 3rd year clerkship and 4th year SubI if possible. If you won't have a SubI in time, then a second letter from your clerkship. That's 2. If you're at a USMD school, most will write a department letter -- that's a summary letter of all your IM experience. That's 3. You have one left -- it can be anything.

In general, I wouldn't ask for a letter from your FM preceptor if it's your first rotation unless you think you're applying to FM.

The only thing available to third year students on ERAS is the letter function. The rest is unlocked later as you mention.

 

[ciestar]

You all get tokens at the beginning of 3rd year? I thought they didn't come out until the beginning of 4th year. Usually you start ERAS in June of your 3rd year (i.e. the very end), with application season opening mid Sept (the timeline is all wonky this year due to COVID). But maybe it's different now, I don't usually follow what happens on the UME side of things.

If you don't have ERAS, you can always just ask someone to write a letter and hold onto it. You can then upload it later.

You don't get to look at your letters to see which is the best. You waive your right to see them. You don't get to see them. (It's more complicated than this but you shouldn't ask).

When applying to any field, you will want, in general, at least 3 of your 4 letters to come from that field. For surgical fields it's 4 of 4 letters, with exceptions if you have a major research mentor who is not a surgeon.

In IM, you'll want one letter each from your 3rd year clerkship and 4th year SubI if possible. If you won't have a SubI in time, then a second letter from your clerkship. That's 2. If you're at a USMD school, most will write a department letter -- that's a summary letter of all your IM experience. That's 3. You have one left -- it can be anything.

In general, I wouldn't ask for a letter from your FM preceptor if it's your first rotation unless you think you're applying to FM.

Just as an aside, for FM, you definitely dont need all of your letters to be FM. In fact, only one of my three was FM.

FM has a lot of exceptions though lol

and yes, i got access to ERAS early into my third year for letters

 

[fldoctorgirl]

You all get tokens at the beginning of 3rd year? I thought they didn't come out until the beginning of 4th year. Usually you start ERAS in June of your 3rd year (i.e. the very end), with application season opening mid Sept (the timeline is all wonky this year due to COVID). But maybe it's different now, I don't usually follow what happens on the UME side of things.

If you don't have ERAS, you can always just ask someone to write a letter and hold onto it. You can then upload it later.

You don't get to look at your letters to see which is the best. You waive your right to see them. You don't get to see them. (It's more complicated than this but you shouldn't ask).

When applying to any field, you will want, in general, at least 3 of your 4 letters to come from that field. For surgical fields it's 4 of 4 letters, with exceptions if you have a major research mentor who is not a surgeon.

In IM, you'll want one letter each from your 3rd year clerkship and 4th year SubI if possible. If you won't have a SubI in time, then a second letter from your clerkship. That's 2. If you're at a USMD school, most will write a department letter -- that's a summary letter of all your IM experience. That's 3. You have one left -- it can be anything.

In general, I wouldn't ask for a letter from your FM preceptor if it's your first rotation unless you think you're applying to FM.

Thank you for this, it's really helpful! And yeah, we got ours when we started third year.

 

[hungrydoc710]

Applying IM.

Is it ok for my first letter to be OB/GYN?
I feel like I don't want to miss a chance on this preceptor that is superrrr nice.

 

[risperdoll]

Applying IM.

Is it ok for my first letter to be OB/GYN?
I feel like I don't want to miss a chance on this preceptor that is superrrr nice.

As others have said in this thread - if you have the chance to get a letter, go ahead and grab it. You never know what may happen, as I’m sure many current fourth years who were counting on letters from auditions that have been canceled due to COVID can tell you. I know this year programs are being more lenient on what specialty your letters come from, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case again next year.