Joint Letter of Recommendation

[failedatlife]

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Has anyone ever asked for a joint letter of recommendation from two attendings. I ask because I have been performing research primarily with a surgeon who is sort of known in the field. However, the chair of the department has also been on all my papers and he and I joke around all the time (good guy). He is extremely well known in the field. The problem is that I want his signature on the letter, but the other surgeon knows me a bit better from an academic standpoint and can write the stronger letter. Can both them sign the letter????

Two separate letters would not work out in this case (already have the others planned out). This is my designated "research" and some clinical letter.

 

[bannie22]

What specialty are you applying to?

You should use your Chair letter, especially if its NSG or ENT based on your posts. You can have your school forward your PI's letter directly to the programs.

 

[Lexicon0]

I would opt for a stand-alone chair letter from your home program, especially if you're applying into ENT. I would try to get the research letter separately and whatever other letters you have planned out will have to be less of a priority IMO.

 

[aalamruad]

Has anyone ever asked for a joint letter of recommendation from two attendings. I ask because I have been performing research primarily with a surgeon who is sort of known in the field. However, the chair of the department has also been on all my papers and he and I joke around all the time (good guy). He is extremely well known in the field. The problem is that I want his signature on the letter, but the other surgeon knows me a bit better from an academic standpoint and can write the stronger letter. Can both them sign the letter????

Two separate letters would not work out in this case (already have the others planned out). This is my designated "research" and some clinical letter.

Depends, what's your Step score?

 

[795722]

Depends, what's your Step score?

Lol looks like his step score keeps haunting him. If I were OP I would choose a better name like proudofmyself. Failedatlife is a very depressing name.

 

[failedatlife]

What specialty are you applying to?

You should use your Chair letter, especially if its NSG or ENT based on your posts. You can have your school forward your PI's letter directly to the programs.

ENT. And these are different chairs, I already am getting a letter from the chair of my home program. This is the chair of the department at a different hospital (still associated with my school)...just not the chair of my home program. It's complicated.

 

[ProfMD]

I know of programs that routinely send letters that a co-signed by the chair and PD.

 

[mw18]

ENT. And these are different chairs, I already am getting a letter from the chair of my home program. This is the chair of the department at a different hospital (still associated with my school)...just not the chair of my home program. It's complicated.

I may not understand completely what's going on, but you want a co-letter from people at two different hospitals, or a co-letter signed by two people that aren't the chair of your actual home program but a chair of a program and a research guy at that program? If it's the latter, will you also have a letter from your actual home program chair or PD?

 

[Psai]

I've heard of people co-signing letters.

 

[Redpancreas]

Has anyone ever asked for a joint letter of recommendation from two attendings. I ask because I have been performing research primarily with a surgeon who is sort of known in the field. However, the chair of the department has also been on all my papers and he and I joke around all the time (good guy). He is extremely well known in the field. The problem is that I want his signature on the letter, but the other surgeon knows me a bit better from an academic standpoint and can write the stronger letter. Can both them sign the letter????

Two separate letters would not work out in this case (already have the others planned out). This is my designated "research" and some clinical letter.

This is both appropriate and a smart idea. Best of luck to you. I'm sure you'll match ENT.


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[Mad Jack]

Lol looks like his step score keeps haunting him. If I were OP I would choose a better name like proudofmyself. Failedatlife is a very depressing name.

You clearly haven't read through his post history. His low step score is his identity, without it I don't think he'd even know who he is.

 

[Mad Jack]

Is this your third or fourth letter?

 

[ACSurgeon]

Has anyone ever asked for a joint letter of recommendation from two attendings. I ask because I have been performing research primarily with a surgeon who is sort of known in the field. However, the chair of the department has also been on all my papers and he and I joke around all the time (good guy). He is extremely well known in the field. The problem is that I want his signature on the letter, but the other surgeon knows me a bit better from an academic standpoint and can write the stronger letter. Can both them sign the letter????

Two separate letters would not work out in this case (already have the others planned out). This is my designated "research" and some clinical letter.

Try to feel things out, but you might be able to get a letter written from the person who knows you better but signed by the chair. Ask them if they can write a joint letter, but perhaps only the chair signs it... You shouldn't have to be that specific when you ask, but if you're lucky they'd offer you something like that

 

[Mad Jack]

Try to feel things out, but you might be able to get a letter written from the person who knows you better but signed by the chair. Ask them if they can write a joint letter, but perhaps only the chair signs it... You shouldn't have to be that specific when you ask, but if you're lucky they'd offer you something like that

The letter could have something along the lines of "He has done extensive work with the research faculty in my department" and elaborate from there with a few sentences based on the researcher's evaluation of him. They can collaborate without both needing to sign it, just by sharing their thoughts with one another and having the chair condense things into one letter.

 

[failedatlife]

Thank you guys. @Backtothebasics8 that's the kindest thing anyone has every said to me on this forum, thank you.

Yeah, these guys are totally cool and I've been doing a lot of work for their department over the years. I'm going to ask for a joint letter and see if the chair (again not my home program chair, whom I'm also getting a letter from) can just sign the letter. He basically knows everyone in the field so I feel that would be more helpful than other the surgeon's in this case.

Thank you all. I think my question has been answered. Mods you can close it up when you get a chance.

 

[Redpancreas]

Please apply to a back up specialities though! It won't look bad and if you're ever asked if you did, you tell the obvious truth. No one will question your dedication to ENT given your vast amounts of research and networking and it will come off as pragmatic. I recommend IM.


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[bannie22]

I looked back into his post history. Gonna be a stretch. Didn't u wish you applied this cycle with those 10+ unmatched spots. wow.

 

[ortnakas]

You clearly haven't read through his post history. His low step score is his identity, without it I don't think he'd even know who he is.

And it's not even that low.

 

[Mad Jack]

And it's not even that low.

Let me rephrase.

His "low" step score.