getting LORs from non-optho attendings

[bananarama123]

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I've asked a couple non-ophtho attendings (who I've interacted with a moderate amount and seem to like me I think) and the conversation always goes something like:

Doc: "yeah definitely, but subspecialties like ophtho probably require ophtho-specific letters, and I'm Gen Surg. Mine won't mean much to them"
Me: "Yeah but usually in ophtho they recommend having 1 IM/GS letter"
Doc: "Oh I see, well why don't you talk to your ophtho advisor and if he/she says my letter would help then I'd be happy to"

Not sure if this is a polite way of saying No or if they're just unaware of the ophtho requirement. I'm thinking the latter because most surgical subspecialties usually require field-specific LORs.

Did any of you get responses like this? What did you say? Should I steer clear of these writers?

 

[DrZeke]

I've asked a couple non-ophtho attendings (who I've interacted with a moderate amount and seem to like me I think) and the conversation always goes something like:

Doc: "yeah definitely, but subspecialties like ophtho probably require ophtho-specific letters, and I'm Gen Surg. Mine won't mean much to them"
Me: "Yeah but usually in ophtho they recommend having 1 IM/GS letter"
Doc: "Oh I see, well why don't you talk to your ophtho advisor and if he/she says my letter would help then I'd be happy to"

Not sure if this is a polite way of saying No or if they're just unaware of the ophtho requirement. I'm thinking the latter because most surgical subspecialties usually require field-specific LORs.

Did any of you get responses like this? What did you say? Should I steer clear of these writers?

Hmmm...

I had no problem getting non-ophtho letters, once I mentioned that it's ok to have non-ophtho letters nobody asked me to consult an advisor. My thoughts are:

1) Your school has faculty on a tight leash when it comes to advising outside their field and nobody wants to sway you the wrong way.

2) Is it possible that you yourself sounds unsure when prompting these faculty members? If you sound unsure, then they will feel like maybe you need more guidance.

3) It doesn't sound like they are trying to blow you off, but I think you need to use your judgment.