Help! PROGRAM DIRECTOR refers to me as the WRONG GENDER in LOR!

[Blue Cabbage]

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I just got a notice from ERAS that the program director I requested an LOR from (in the department I'm applying to) referred to me as the wrong gender in one line of the LOR!

ERAS is asking me if I want the letter to be uploaded to residency programs as is or if I want to request the Program Director to make the correction and upload the letter after the correction.

Of course, I would want the correction to be made, however, I suspect that getting this correction to be made by the Program Director would delay this important LOR from being uploaded to residencies for a long time (especially considering how long it takes ERAS to upload even after the corrected LOR would finally arrive).

What should I do?

I'd rather get this LOR uploaded right away, but if the gender mistake on one line is going to do more harm than good, then I'll go through the process of requesting the correction (and the delay of this LOR being sent to residency programs).

Thank you for your help.

 

[hot sauce]

I just got a notice from ERAS that the program director I requested an LOR from (in the department I'm applying to) referred to me as the wrong gender in one line of the LOR!

ERAS is asking me if I want the letter to be uploaded to residency programs as is or if I want to request the Program Director to make the correction and upload the letter after the correction.

Of course, I would want the correction to be made, however, I suspect that getting this correction to be made by the Program Director would delay this important LOR from being uploaded to residencies for a long time (especially considering how long it takes ERAS to upload even after the corrected LOR would finally arrive).

What should I do?

I'd rather get this LOR uploaded right away, but if the gender mistake on one line is going to do more harm than good, then I'll go through the process of requesting the correction (and the delay of this LOR being sent to residency programs).

Thank you for your help.

If it is just one shot than I don't think it is a very big deal. It could suggest the program director doesn't really know who you are or people may figure your program director just made a typo.

Why would it be a long time to get it fixed? It would seem like the program director could fix it in a few minutes and send it to the dean's office where they could upload it. To be honest I'm surprised your dean's office didn't catch this.

Also depends on what residency you applying for. Some don't really process applications until after the dean's letter on November 1 in which case you have time. Others are faster. If you feel you really need the letter quickly I'd say go ahead and upload but I'm just another 4th year.

 

[metallo]

I just got a notice from ERAS that the program director I requested an LOR from (in the department I'm applying to) referred to me as the wrong gender in one line of the LOR!

ERAS is asking me if I want the letter to be uploaded to residency programs as is or if I want to request the Program Director to make the correction and upload the letter after the correction.

Of course, I would want the correction to be made, however, I suspect that getting this correction to be made by the Program Director would delay this important LOR from being uploaded to residencies for a long time (especially considering how long it takes ERAS to upload even after the corrected LOR would finally arrive).

What should I do?

I'd rather get this LOR uploaded right away, but if the gender mistake on one line is going to do more harm than good, then I'll go through the process of requesting the correction (and the delay of this LOR being sent to residency programs).

Thank you for your help.

Assuming you're a U.S. student, the whole process could theoretically be handled pretty quickly. I would notify your program director of the message you received, explain the time crunch, and see if he (or she 😀) could submit a corrected letter in the next couple of days. Once that happens, even if your dean's office is currently overwhelmed with letters to be uploaded and there is a long queue, you could explain what happened, and I'm sure the letter would be bumped to the front of the line.

On the other hand, if you're an IMG, I'm guessing the process could be much longer. From what I've read from other posters here, the ECFMG takes MUCH longer than U.S. school dean's offices to complete these requests, so I probably wouldn't worry about it.

That was a big mistake on the PD's part... if it's noticed, it makes it look like your letter was just copied from a template that was last used for a student of the other gender. I would get it corrected if possible, but not if you think it will take more than a week or so.

 

[Blue Cabbage]

A
That was a big mistake on the PD's part... if it's noticed, it makes it look like your letter was just copied from a template that was last used for a student of the other gender. I would get it corrected if possible, but not if you think it will take more than a week or so.

My fear, exactly. However, I've been receiving responses from programs already, and I'm really concerned about the delay of this letter, since it could potentially sway programs to interview me. Then again, I don't know if this gender mistake will actually hurt my application..!

I do suspect it would take more than a week, because I am corresponding long-distance with this program, and surely they are flooded with all sorts of other matters right now...not to mention that I might get stuck at the end of the upload line.

Gah..! I'm torn as to what to do. Thanks for the input so far...would gladly welcome any additional input from anyone else. Much appreciated.

 

[mcl]

I don't think this is going to be much of a problem for you. Most reviewers will assume it's either a typo or a typeover (most attendings who write a lot of letters have a standard format within which they change various elements--secretaries save time by typing over previous letters and it's not unusual to miss "she" vs. "he").

You could go ahead and have the letter downloaded so that programs have access to it, then have the corrected letter redownloaded when the PD makes the change. I have several strong applicants that are only missing one required letter, but I can't send their application to the selection committee until that letter arrives. I honestly wouldn't care how many typos the letter had if it meant I could send the application for full review.

Far more damaging than a mistake in gender is mistake in specialty. When that happens, I have to determine whether the error was the fault of the secretary typing over someone else's letter and not changing a key word, or whether the candidate is applying to multiple specialties and not all that serious about mine.

 

[Blue Cabbage]

I don't think this is going to be much of a problem for you. Most reviewers will assume it's either a typo or a typeover (most attendings who write a lot of letters have a standard format within which they change various elements--secretaries save time by typing over previous letters and it's not unusual to miss "she" vs. "he").

You could go ahead and have the letter downloaded so that programs have access to it, then have the corrected letter redownloaded when the PD makes the change. I have several strong applicants that are only missing one required letter, but I can't send their application to the selection committee until that letter arrives. I honestly wouldn't care how many typos the letter had if it meant I could send the application for full review.

Far more damaging than a mistake in gender is mistake in specialty. When that happens, I have to determine whether the error was the fault of the secretary typing over someone else's letter and not changing a key word, or whether the candidate is applying to multiple specialties and not all that serious about mine.

This is extremely helpful to hear, thank you. I just requested your recommendation (uploading of the current letter with request to upload the corrected version when it arrives). This message board is a life-saver for decisions like this--thank you all.

 

[HCE]

A gender error was inevitable, given your name Blue Cabbage.