How many letters to send?

[wonderboy00]

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I apologize if this has already been asked, but I couldn't find anything on this forum.
How many letters of recs are you guys sending to each program? I'm assuming four...but I'm starting to realize that some programs may have different specific requirements (i.e 3 max, etc). Is there another option of finding out this info besides having to go to each individual program's website?

thanks!

 

[TMP-SMX]

Most require 3 and no more. Some require 4. Some require at least 2 derm letters. Look at their website or FREIDA.

 

[asmallchild]

I apologize if this has already been asked, but I couldn't find anything on this forum.
How many letters of recs are you guys sending to each program? I'm assuming four...but I'm starting to realize that some programs may have different specific requirements (i.e 3 max, etc). Is there another option of finding out this info besides having to go to each individual program's website?

thanks!

Unfortunately you'll have to go to each individual site to find out.

As a general rule of thumb, I'd recommend

1. A letter from your department chair

2. A letter from your program director

3. A letter from a dermatology attending who knows you very well

4. And if the program accepts 4 letters, perhaps a letter from a non-dermatology attending who knows you very well

 

[DERMROX]

The majority actually either want 4 or say three on the website but don't specify if you can send more. A few say maximum 4. There was no website that I came across that said maximum 3.

I would send 4.

 

[dermathalon]

Good luck to all with the upcoming application cycle! I do not envy you but hang in there and I wish you all the best.

To derm programs, I only sent derm letters (I had four derm letters). I only sent non-derm letters to transitionals and prelims.

I sent a letter from my chairman, a chairman from a program that I rotated at, and two mentors (who both knew me very very well). I also had a fifth letter from a prof at one of the derm programs where I rotated and sent that letter to some of the programs....so I had five letters to choose from.

Most places ask for four and a few ask for three and I just checked each program individually when I applied...

Hope that helps...

 

[DocLan]

For the chairman letter or program director letters NOT from your home institution, did you guys get a chance to work with these individuals in clinic?

 

[dermathalon]

For the chairman letter or program director letters NOT from your home institution, did you guys get a chance to work with these individuals in clinic?

Yes. Also, it's important when you rotate to set up a meeting with the PD/chair to let them know that you are interested in derm and to be ready to talk about what particular interests you in derm. In truth, this is a chance to get an interview with the decision makers without having to call it an outright interview...and you are away from the clinic setting and face to face. You need to be confident but not arrogant...

I even set up face time with a PD at one of the institutions where the PD started acting uninterested when I started the conversation but by the end the PD was interested after all...remember to stay confident and be genuine in your interest. Needless to say, I did not rank this program high because if it's one thing I can't stand, it's programs that think they are too good...first impression are huge for me, especially in how programs initially react to residents or prospective residents. I have yet to meet a program that's as good as they think they are but I've seen programs that are better than they think they are.

That said, you always want to stay positive and never show an ounce of distaste or disinterest on your face....med students rotating for derm surprise me with this one all the time. We just had a couple students rotate where some were great and some seemed so disinterested...not a good move if you're trying to get a letter from the chair/PD...many check in with the residents when assessing a prospective candidate and safe for it to say that it's not good to have a resident say that the candidate seemed "disinterested."

 

[pupster]

...many check in with the residents when assessing a prospective candidate and safe for it to say that it's not good to have a resident say that the candidate seemed "disinterested."

Aye...ditto for how it works here...an email goes out where they ask what we thought of so and so rotator....

 

[DocLan]

How many clinics do you have with these guys? We get half a day this entire month. I'm wondering if it's better to get a LOR from a more junior faculty member who I might have been able to work with more at the away or just use only home letters.

 

[dermathalon]

How many clinics do you have with these guys? We get half a day this entire month. I'm wondering if it's better to get a LOR from a more junior faculty member who I might have been able to work with more at the away or just use only home letters.

I think getting a strong letter from junior faculty would be wonderful. They tend to be heartfelt and can really be an asset if written well. A letter from an away is quite valuable, so if you can, don't just sent letters from your home institution. It can actually be a red flag if no one at an away was willing to write you a letter of support.

 

[eddie13231]

Many programs say "3 letters required". Did you guys just send 3 in this case or send 4?

 

[jmw38]

Many programs say "3 letters required". Did you guys just send 3 in this case or send 4?

I second this question.

A lot of programs say "3 letters of recommendation." I have 3 derm letters, so I originally thought I'd just send the 3 derm letters. But if everyone else goes ahead and sends 4 letters, I thought it might benefit me to send my fourth (non-derm) letter as well. So do programs that say 3 (and don't specify whether more is ok) really only want 3 or will they look at 4?

I just don't want to give an extra letter if they're only going to look at 3 because I want to be sure they look at the 3 I want them to, if that makes any sense. 😳

 

[dermathalon]

I second this question.

A lot of programs say "3 letters of recommendation." I have 3 derm letters, so I originally thought I'd just send the 3 derm letters. But if everyone else goes ahead and sends 4 letters, I thought it might benefit me to send my fourth (non-derm) letter as well. So do programs that say 3 (and don't specify whether more is ok) really only want 3 or will they look at 4?

I just don't want to give an extra letter if they're only going to look at 3 because I want to be sure they look at the 3 I want them to, if that makes any sense. 😳

If they ask for 3, and you have three strong derm letters, then send 3. If you have 3 letters that you are happy with, then it's not going to matter much about that 4th one (especially if it's non-derm). Yes, you'll get a lot of people that tell you that it's nice to get a non-derm letter but, honestly, derm letters carry much more weight in the derm world...I speak from personal experience. Not one derm interviewer asked me if I had a non-derm letter and I probably had close to 200 separate interviewers during my intereviews.