Interested in surgery between Intl. LoR (Surgery) vs. US LoR (IM)

[KH7780]

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Hi!

I am interested in general surgery, I have 2 LoRs from surgeons in the US which I am going to submit. I have another letter from an internal medicine physician in the US. I also have an international LoR from a surgeon back home.

For the 3rd letter, which one is preferred, the international surgical LoR or US IM LoR?


Thanks

 

[aafisahar]

international LORs are going to be worthless for your application

 

[NotAProgDirector]

ERAS allows you to submit 4 letters, so I would just submit all 4. If you're only submitting 3 because you have a 4th coming later from the US, then I would submit the 3 US letters unless the surgeon back home is well known/respected here in the US.

 

[KH7780]

ERAS allows you to submit 4 letters, so I would just submit all 4. If you're only submitting 3 because you have a 4th coming later from the US, then I would submit the 3 US letters unless the surgeon back home is well known/respected here in the US.

Thank you for your reply.

I can submit 2 US letters (surgery) and 2 US letters (IM and Pediatrics). (total 4 lors), is that even better? I worked in surgery with residents and I didn't have enough time to contact with attendings to write strong letter, this is why I have only 2 but I worked directly with IM attending and pediatrician and got good letters so now I don't know what should I do.

 

[KH7780]

UP

 

[NotAProgDirector]

In general, when applying to surgery you should submit surgical letters. IN other fields it may not matter as much. So you submit your 2 US surgical letters for certain. Between US non-surgical letters and non-US surgical letters it's a tough call. If you were a fully trained surgeon back home, then a letter attesting to that might be good. If this is just a standard medical student letter, I'd probably favor the 2 US letters. Others may disagree. There isn't a clear "correct" choice.

WHat is a correct choice is to apply NOW if you're going to apply. Waiting can only hurt you.