fellowship application/LOR question

[4424]

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thinking a bit ahead but from those who have applied for fellowship, i notice that some programs have additional requirements beyond the CAS appl and letters through sfmatch. Is it best to just go to each site you applied to and find out what else they want, or will they contact you after they receive the application for anything else they want (i.e. okaps, med school transcripts, etc).

second question is in terms of letters of rec. i know 3 are required. is it a requirement that one be from your chairman or can you just choose the 3 best LOR? (i plan on applying for surgical retina if it makes a difference)

thank you!

 

[MstaKing10]

Doesn't hurt to start getting some things together prior to the application process including OKAP scores, medical school transcripts, USMLE step score reports, CV, etc. Not all programs will ask for this stuff but having it ready will make the process go by easier. I had all of this scanned and in electronic format for easier emailing vs. snail mail. Most program websites have their requirements listed. They are also listed on the sfmatch website in the program directory. Only a few places email with these requirements so do your research.

All programs will ask that one of your letters be from your chairman. A few may also ask that one be from your program director. Others still will ask for a fourth letter.

Best of luck.

 

[bmk579]

Most programs list their additional requirements when you click on the link for additional program information on the SFMatch site. However, I would still check the program's own website, because I sometimes noticed some differences or additional information on the program's website vs. SFMatch's website when I was applying.

Some of the programs differed on whether it was ok to send electronic versions via email, or whether they wanted hard copies via snail mail, and some even wanted official copies of transcripts, etc. So, I contacted programs if I had any questions or it wasn't clear based on what they listed.