How/When to ask for LOR?

[VeerTheTIGuy]

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So for the past three summers (including this one), I've been shadowing different docs at my local hospital (I've now complete 2 years out of 6 at a UK medical school). I've worked with one ER doc for all three summers, one ER doc for this summer and last, and neurosurgeon last summer, and 6 Hospitalists (Internal Med) this summer. Because our hospital is not a teaching hospital, all I've been able to do the past few summers is hands-off shadowing, but recently this summer, once the Hospitalists started trusting me, I've been doing some H&Ps, but mainly just the same shadowing.

This is more than likely my last summer working with these docs, since next summer is dedicated to USMLE Step 1, and after that I start my real clinical rotations at the teaching hospital in Manchester. I was wondering, should I ask for letters of recommendation now, or wait until it is time for residency applications? If I get them now, who do I get them from...all 9? or just a handful? Should they address it to me at my house, and then I can hold on to them? Aren't you not supposed to see the letters (which would be defeated if they sent me the letters - unless I kept them sealed for the next 4 years - which I'll doubt I'd do)?

Just need some advice, all input appreciated!🙂

 

[MonkeyRalph]

I don't know how it works over in Europe, but if you're talking about getting letters from shadowing during the summer after first year, I don't think they would be very relevant for residency applications. Unless these are physicians that you'll be working with again during third/fourth year, I wouldn't bother asking them for letters.

 

[VeerTheTIGuy]

Sorry, let me clarify: I'm from the USA, but study in the UK. I'm doing these summer rotations with docs in Southern California, where I live. There's a possibility that I might work with them again during the summers of my clinical years, but I'm not sure; that's why I want to get some letters now (I'm assuming that letters from US docs carry more weight than ones from UK docs during residency apps).

 

[UCLAstudent]

For residency, I was under the impression that you'll want to get letters from people you've done a formal clerkship with.

 

[VeerTheTIGuy]

I figured that, but on so many residency apps for IMGs, it asks for at least 2 LORs from US docs in that field...and since I would barely have time to do an elective before applying (our elective isn't until final year, possibly after time to apply for residencies), I figured that, worst case scenario, I could use these

 

[t33sg1rl]

I think you should ask these docs NOW if you can use them as references. That gives them them the chance to ask you anything they don't already know about you that they would like to know. Tell them that you'll also want a letter when residency apps roll around and give them the choice to write it now or then.

 

[sunshine04]

My BFs aunt works for a Human Resources Firm, and she gave me a ton of good advice about LORs. One of the biggest things she emphasized is getting LORs now, while you're still fresh in the recommender's mind. That way, rather than making general statements about you, it will be easier for them to recall specific examples as to why they are giving the LOR, which strengthens your letter.

 

[efex101]

Also, ask the attending/consultant if they will be willing to write you a "strong" LOR. Good luck.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Is there some sort of letter service that handles residency letters?

 

[lord_jeebus]

Is there some sort of letter service that handles residency letters?

I think most if not all schools have a single administrator in charge of collecting all letters of recommendation. They are then sent to ERAS, which transmits them to programs of your choice along with your application.

 

[SoCuteMD]

I honestly don't think the letters will mean a whole lot unless they are coming from someone you've done a clerkship with. This may mean delaying your application by a year, but it would be well worth it as you will already face a challenge as an IMG.

I already asked for one letter. I had my attending send it directly to my school (I gave her a stamped, addressed envelope) where the dean's office will hold onto it until app time. Lots of

 

[AmoryBlaine]

I honestly don't think the letters will mean a whole lot unless they are coming from someone you've done a clerkship with. This may mean delaying your application by a year, but it would be well worth it as you will already face a challenge as an IMG.

I already asked for one letter. I had my attending send it directly to my school (I gave her a stamped, addressed envelope) where the dean's office will hold onto it until app time. Lots of

I agree, I can't imagine any amount of shadowing is going to be equal to a clerkship where you do H/Ps, present, and interact fully as a provider. If these attendings are not at teaching facilities than their letters will probably be considered useless.

It might help to know what specialty you're going to be shooting for. A letter from a community IM doc might be fine if your an FMG applying to FMG-heavy IM programs. You also mentioned two ER docs, letters from community physicians carry next to no weight in an application to US MD EM programs.

In general I think we are all far too skittish about asking for LORs, just freaking shoot them an email.