How do you get a director to write you a letter ? ?

[SleepyTime]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I work extremely hard, but am a little shy sometimes. What is it you do to get the PD to write you a letter ? I am willing to try anything.

 

[CambieMD]

I work extremely hard, but am a little shy sometimes. What is it you do to get the PD to write you a letter ? I am willing to try anything.

make an appointment to meet with your pd.

CambieMD

 

[OldManDave]

I work extremely hard, but am a little shy sometimes. What is it you do to get the PD to write you a letter ? I am willing to try anything.

I am unclear exactly what you are trying to achieve; however, as the above poster points out - make it known to your PD that you are seeking an LoR by making an appt. This way he/she will pay special attention to you & be able to write a thorough & objective LoR.

IOW, you have to ask them...

 

[powermd]

I work extremely hard, but am a little shy sometimes. What is it you do to get the PD to write you a letter ? I am willing to try anything.

Are you willing to try simply asking? It's not complicated, they know you need letters.

 

[chicamedica]

Do you ask them at the BEGINNING of the rotation or at the END?

 

[OldManDave]

Do you ask them at the BEGINNING of the rotation or at the END?

Beginning - that makes certain that the PD is paying attention to you & able to write a more honest & objective LoR. He/She may consent to write one w/o really knowing or having paid attention to you - but this will be blatantly obvious to those who read it. Besides, asking at the beginning forces a level of committment to excellence on your own part...put your money where your mouth is, so to speak.

 

[Skip Intro]

I couldn't agree more that you should let them know at the beginning. A lot of PD's will take an extra interest in you if you tell them you are really interested in anesthesiology. You might not always get the chance to be with them in the OR, therefore they may not be able to see your abilities. If you tell them up front, then they are more likely to make an effort to give you a little extra attention during the rotation.

I did this during one of my gas rotations. Because he was so busy, though, I only got to be in the OR with him on two occassions. Still, at the end of the rotation, we sat down and talked. I got the chance to ask questions, clarify some things, and he did the same for me. It was great practice and, in fact, turned out to be a lot like what I would experience on the interview trail. There was no awkwardness because he knew I was there under the guise of asking for an LoR. And, I even asked if I could see a draft. No matter what anyone else tells you, always ask if you can see a draft! You want to know exactly what someone is saying about you. It may be harder to ask for a draft copy, but you don't want any surprises.

In my case, this PD not only wrote me a great letter, but later also offered me a pre-match spot. The only part that was awkward was when I turned it down. But, by that point, the letter was written and sent into ERAS. I'm also sure that this letter was, in large part, the primary reason why I got so many interviews.

So, have some guts and ask. You are going to be a doctor. Shyness is something that is, generally speaking, incompatible with being a great physician. Although, I don't think this is about shyness, but more about fear of rejection or him/her saying "no". So long as you can go into asking the PD for a letter knowing this is already a possibility, what's the worst that can happen?

So, just go for it. But, if they do say "no", then you should immediately follow-up with "why?" This is how you get an outsider's view on what may be deficiencies that you're not aware of yourself. Then (remembering I said this process is a lot like interviewing) you can work on these perceived deficiencies, if they are legitimate, and you won't make the same mistakes on the interview trail. In other words, the only way you can truly lose is if you don't ask.

-Skip

 

[fishtolive]

i have heard mixed things about needing a chairman's letter for my application. i will be getting a lor by the pd at my school but have not even worked with our chairman...anybody know the rule about this sort of thing?

 

[mcgillmed]

i have heard mixed things about needing a chairman's letter for my application. i will be getting a lor by the pd at my school but have not even worked with our chairman...anybody know the rule about this sort of thing?

I matched at my first choice program without ANY gas letters, let alone one from a PD/Chairman, so I suppose if there is a rule, I'm the exception.

 

[chillindrdude]

i got a chairman's letter as one of my recs. did it help me? who knows...it obviously didn't hurt me, as i matched at my number one choice.

make sure when you ask the chair...you ask if he/she can write you a STRONG letter of recommendation. if they say no, then move on.

make sure you keep on top of your recs. 😉

 

[MAC10]

I matched at my first choice program without ANY gas letters, let alone one from a PD/Chairman, so I suppose if there is a rule, I'm the exception.

For the past three months, I have been super keen on anesthesia for exactly the reasons posted by woundvac. I wanted a life outside medicine, and if it meant that I had to actually do something that I didn't exactly love on a day-to-day basis to gain that lifestyle, so be it. Then I started my surgery rotation. And I started to realize that I would prefer doing something I love for 80 hours a week than something I don't love for 50 hours a week. Because when all is said and done, you're still going to have to wake up and go to work every day for the next 30-40 years and if you don't enjoy doing what you're doing, those 50 hours a week are going to seem pretty darn long.

My final moment of inspiration came a few weeks ago, when I was scrubbed in for a CABG + AVR. Now hearts are supposed to be among the most interesting cases for anesthesiologists. Midway through the case, I look over to see the anesthesiologist with a pair of pickups, pulling out his leg hairs one by one. 50-hour work week be damned, I'll take surgery any day!!

Thats funny I guess gas aint so bad afterall. And congrats on your first choice gas spot without any gas letters 🙄

 

[asdash]

Wow, nice burn.

On a related note, when is the latest one can do an audition rotation and still be able to get a letter before interview season? October? I'm taking my first month of 4th year off and can't decide whether to do an away in September (after doing a gas elective at my home institution in August), or to do ICU in September and then audition in October. Thanks in advance for any advice!

In response to fishtolive's question, my institution's student handbook mentions something about there being processes in place for getting chairmen's letters and how you don't necessarily even have to have met the chair of your department. Hope that helps.

 

[Skip Intro]

Thats funny I guess gas aint so bad afterall. And congrats on your first choice gas spot without any gas letters 🙄

👍

-Skip

 

[mcgillmed]

Thats funny I guess gas aint so bad afterall. And congrats on your first choice gas spot without any gas letters 🙄

Nice sleuthin' MacGyver! But why do you have to be hating on someone for seeing the light? Ohhh, I see. You fell down to number 4 on your rank list with a "solid application?" Now I get it. As eloquently stated by ashbash, "nice burn" indeed.

 

[MAC10]

Nice sleuthin' MacGyver! .

Whos MacGyver?

But why do you have to be hating on someone for seeing the light? Ohhh, I see. You fell down to number 4 on your rank list with a "solid application?" .

So what? Damn proud too, at least im honest, how bout you?

As eloquently stated by ashbash, "nice burn" indeed.

Couldnt agree more

 

[Induc(junc)tion]

Do you really need a letter from a PD? Assuming you can get a letter from a plain old attending, that speaks well of you, and is fairly personal, does it really matter? I dont think I will be able to work witht he PD at any time.

 

[DCBigBAPS]

I think it's a good idea to get a letter from your PD regardless. PD's around the country know each other. Some may find it weird if you don't get one. That being said, most PD's know that you need a letter. I agree with the above, just schedule a meeting, be sincere and show enthusiasm!

I myself have a question along the same lines. I should have 2 SOLID letters from my PD and the attending in charge of the medical student rotation. I was wondering for a third, should I get one from 1) a peds anesthesia attending who I've worked with and get along well with, 2) the director of anesthesia who I have never even met, 3) an attending at an away institution (i.e. later this year)

Also, do I need a medicine letter? What about if you apply to prelim year? Thanks.

 

[jennyboo]

You do not NEED a program director or chair's letter of recommendation. Whether you get a PD or chair's letter is arbitrarily dependent upon whether you were fortunate to spend enough time with them to build a real relationship. Most people don't have the opportunity to obtain one, or don't get enough contact with that person to comfortably ask for a letter. That is, believe it or not, perfectly okay. I certainly didn't get one, and I did fine in the match.

It's no different from getting any other letter. You build a relationship with them, let them know you're interested, and ask if they would be comfortable doing it. Then you need to print out the ERAS LOR FORM and fill it in with your name and ERAS number (which your school gives you), and give it to the writer. Some writers ask for more, such as a copy of your CV and/or transcript. Offer the CV, and provide the transcript if they ask for it.

FOLLOW UP PROMPTLY with your school's deans office (like, within a month) to make sure they received the letter. You may need to do some chasing-up if they haven't received it (or if, like my school, they somehow "lose" 70% of the letters the first time).

When you confirm with the dean's office that the LOR has been received, WRITE THEM A THANK-YOU LETTER immediately. Use the opportunity to re-iterate how much you want to come to this program.

Don't forget that if the PD or chair writes you a LOR, your chances of matching at THAT program may increase tremendously. Yes, it might help your application for other residencies as well, but a PD writing you a letter usually means s/he wants you to come to their residency. So don't take it lightly.

 

[jennyboo]

I myself have a question along the same lines. I should have 2 SOLID letters from my PD and the attending in charge of the medical student rotation. I was wondering for a third, should I get one from 1) a peds anesthesia attending who I've worked with and get along well with, 2) the director of anesthesia who I have never even met, 3) an attending at an away institution (i.e. later this year)

Don't ask for a letter from someone you've never met.

It does help to diversify your letters by getting one from outside. Three letters from the same institution will *drumroll* just increase your chances of matching at that institution. Nothing more. If you want to go there for residency, great; if it's your home school and it's really your "safety" I wouldn't bother.

Also, do I need a medicine letter? What about if you apply to prelim year? Thanks.

I did not have a medicine letter. You don't precisely need one. However, some bigger, more academic medicine residencies (for your prelim) require medicine letters or medicine chair letters in the application. No letter, no interview. But I didn't have one, I got interviewed, and I got the prelim I wanted anyway. It's a bonus if you have one, but don't worry if you don't -- you will still have no problem getting a medicine prelim or transitional year without a medicine letter.

 

[Induc(junc)tion]

You do not NEED a program director or chair's letter of recommendation. Whether you get a PD or chair's letter is arbitrarily dependent upon whether you were fortunate to spend enough time with them to build a real relationship. Most people don't have the opportunity to obtain one, or don't get enough contact with that person to comfortably ask for a letter. That is, believe it or not, perfectly okay. I certainly didn't get one, and I did fine in the match.

It's no different from getting any other letter. You build a relationship with them, let them know you're interested, and ask if they would be comfortable doing it. Then you need to print out the ERAS LOR FORM and fill it in with your name and ERAS number (which your school gives you), and give it to the writer. Some writers ask for more, such as a copy of your CV and/or transcript. Offer the CV, and provide the transcript if they ask for it.

FOLLOW UP PROMPTLY with your school's deans office (like, within a month) to make sure they received the letter. You may need to do some chasing-up if they haven't received it (or if, like my school, they somehow "lose" 70% of the letters the first time).

When you confirm with the dean's office that the LOR has been received, WRITE THEM A THANK-YOU LETTER immediately. Use the opportunity to re-iterate how much you want to come to this program.

Don't forget that if the PD or chair writes you a LOR, your chances of matching at THAT program may increase tremendously. Yes, it might help your application for other residencies as well, but a PD writing you a letter usually means s/he wants you to come to their residency. So don't take it lightly.

Do LOR's really need to be printed on a designated form? If so, Im in trouble. All of mine are on physician or hospital or practice letterhead. Ive never heard of this.

 

[jennyboo]

Do LOR's really need to be printed on a designated form? If so, Im in trouble. All of mine are on physician or hospital or practice letterhead. Ive never heard of this.

It's not a form for printing the letter on -- it's a form that tells the writer where to submit the letter to and what your ERAS number is. You just have to put your name and signature on it.

You can complete the form afterward if you didn't do it before the writer wrote your LOR.

 

[Sugar72]

Do you really need a letter from a PD? Assuming you can get a letter from a plain old attending, that speaks well of you, and is fairly personal, does it really matter? I dont think I will be able to work witht he PD at any time.

OK, I couldn't resist sharing with all of you how totally lame my lor's were. I had 2 anesthesiology rotations scheduled in New Orleans starting the day hurricane Katrina struck - obviously I didn't do them. I was counting on getting letters from the PD of the first one. No anesthesiology rotation = no PD letter. So I had the mom of a friend of mine who is an anesthesiologist write my anesthesiology letter. I had a letter from a cardiologist and an intensivist also. I got my first choice for anesthesiology and one of the PD's at one of the places I interviewed at had done her residency with my friend's mom and was so excited to hear the gossip about her family.

 

[Induc(junc)tion]

Is it ok to contact the PD by email, in order to ask for an appointment and subsequent letter? I finished up my rotation about a week ago, and was never able to ask because he was on vacation the last week I was there. I was able to work with him once, and I can have many attendings there vouch for me as well as to my work ethic, etc.