I've had some very kind attendings and LOR writers offer to call programs to put in a good word for me at places I'm interested in. I'm well aware that it's worth it when the attending knows the director or other attendings at the program, but is it worth it even if they don't know anyone there? Or would it just carry the same weight as a LOR?
Is it worth it to have attendings/LOR writers call programs on your behalf?
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I am aware of one program which does not appreciate having "good words" put in for applicants beyond what is in the LORs.
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That is surprising. My letter writers have been very enthusiastic about this; my home PD says he will make "one call" for us at the end of interview season; and at several of the programs I've interviewed at the chairs have said something along the lines of "if you're serious about our program have so and so call me".
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Yep, thats the usual I think. But I went on one interview where the PD asked very indirectly about the call. I talked to the caller later on and they said that the PD told them that that I am "on the list..." and that they dont appreciate "outside calls".
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Interesting. However, I think if there is "the one" program you really want to go to, having someone make a call cannot hurt. If it does hurt, that just sucks. But you have to give it a shot. A good thing to do is also to find out from any friends/current residents (discreetly) if they know the program policy about outside calls. Then you could avoid getting burned 😉.
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I think it is a good idea to have someone call. For the IM match process, I found this wasn't necessary. For cardiology, I found it was practically obligatory to do something extra...at least at your top 1 or 2 programs. I would suspect it may be similar for other competitive specialties.
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Mid to late January - technically rank lists are due in February, but most programs will hold their final rank meeting before that, and you want to have the call made before that meeting takes place.
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Someone can make a call for you. It may not do much. Programs are going to rank the applicants how they like just as you rank the programs as you like. I was told by one PD that while they appreciate applicants showing interest with phone calls from important people at your institution and such... it does not affect prognosis as they rank how they like.
Bottom line: It would not hurt to have someone call on your behalf, but it may not do much depending on the program. Don't plan where you are moving to until match day.
Bottom line: It would not hurt to have someone call on your behalf, but it may not do much depending on the program. Don't plan where you are moving to until match day.
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What about sending an additional LOR. I have one I had to cut to put a chairman's letter in, but the content of this rec would be something I would really like one specific program to read. Kosher?
If you send another LoR, I'd recommending emailing the PC to let him/her know that it's coming and that you'd like the PD to see it. I'm no longer downloading from the ERAS post office regularly--and when I do download the only thing I'm really looking for is updated Step 2 scores for applicants we interviewed whose results were still pending. If someone sent another LoR at this point I wouldn't automatically refer it to the PD.
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Thanks for the reply. So, in terms of logistics, I send the extra LOR through ERAS and not just in the mail? If I already have four listed under that program, is it possible to send the extra lor through ERAS?
You could certainly mail or fax it to your program--or have the writer's office mail or fax it, really. But the PC should still be advised that it's coming and that you'd like the PD to see it.
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You can deselect an LoR and select another - the program has already downloaded the 4 LoRs you assigned; so it will get a 5th..do inform the PC/PD that you are doing this and the reason behind it - so that you dont come across as a gunner.
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Agreed. My home PD offered the same thing when I was a med student.
Phone calls from prominent physicians / people can certainly help, especially if the two are acquainted. I don't know how heavy the phone calls have in general, but they can't really hurt.
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It's very nice for the PD, chair or LOR writers to offer this. I wonder if they don't offer, whether I should ask. I know my chair wants me to stay, so it feels kind of weird asking...like hurting their feelings. My PD doesn't know me as well.
I really really hope the phone call is not going to matter so much, because in my case, I probably won't have anyone call on my behalf.
Can someone tell me how regular it is for PDs/chairs of home programs be making phone calls on behalf of applicants? My chair actually wrote a really stellar LOR on my behalf (or so I've heard from my interviewers), but I don't particularly feel comfortable asking him to make a phone call on my behalf.
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How many calls can you ask for? There's one program which I think the doctor calling on my behalf might have some pull... and then theres my #1 program. Would it be bad for me to ask him to make two phone calls?
I think two calls are fine, probably even three- as long as he ONLY tells your #1 that that is your #1, and the others that you are ranking them very highly.
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