Importance of a letter on an away rotation?

[johndoe3344]

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Just a quick question to see what some of you more experienced people think. I think word of mouth among the medical students here at my school is that it's a "red flag" if you don't get a LOR from the place that you did your away rotation.

I did a consult month at a top academic hospital, and for whatever reason, it was just unseasonably quiet during the month I was there. We'd get like 1-2 consults a week, if that, and even though me and the fellow would try to discuss various academic topics/give some medical student presentations, I feel like I just didn't get a lot of interaction with the attending.

The attending ended up agreeing to write one for me, but I'm not sure how strong it will be. I honored the consult rotation, if that matters. Should I take this letter, or pick another letter from my home school that will most likely be stronger?

Thanks.

 

[jerseytrash]

It may or may not help you. Plenty of people matched their top 1 without getting a letter from doing their away there. Many people didn't even get invited on interviews to their aways and some programs are notorious for doing this (UCSF comes to mind).

The good letter may be helpful for any place you want to go, esp if it's well known faculty.

 

[johndoe3344]

It may or may not help you. Plenty of people matched their top 1 without getting a letter from doing their away there. Many people didn't even get invited on interviews to their aways and some programs are notorious for doing this (UCSF comes to mind).

The good letter may be helpful for any place you want to go, esp if it's well known faculty.

So I guess what you're saying is ... if it's strong, use it. If it's not that strong, use a stronger one?