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[8741empls]

So I am applying EM and just finishing up my second rotation (one home, one away) at reputable programs that I will be getting SLOEs from. I also will be doing a Tox rotation in September/October that I could get a subspecialty SLOE from. In addition, I have an EM doc I worked with about once every 2 weeks Spring of my third year that I am considering asking a letter from. I was wondering if getting an individual LOR (that likely won't be in the SLOE format) can hurt in any way? I know SLOEs are the main thing programs look for and individual letters are much lower on the list, but I feel this doctor can speak well to a lot of things about me. I don't care if some programs don't care or read it (as I have heard some do that with individual letters), but I just want to make sure that it in no way can hurt me. Like they think I am trying to make up for something I am lacking with an individual letter.

You are overthinking this. Lots of people add a third letter just to have a “complete” app for programs that require three. I actually had a few comments on mine. I don’t see how it could hurt as long as you know it will be positive.

 

[Champagne_Tap]

Typically, applicants enlist the personal SLOE as an alternate to the departmental SLOE when they don't have enough letters before it's time to submit ERAS. It might be overkill to assign the personal SLOE on top of your 3 SLOEs, but if you feel strongly about the content of the SLOE (i.e. you're going to get good comments, etc.), then assign it and forget about it.

There's no way a letter of recommendation (be it departmental, personal, or otherwise) can hurt you unless the content of that SLOE is *bad*. So, as long as you didn't suck, you will be fine!!

Echo'ing what was said above, don't overthink^
-current EM intern

 

[gamerEMdoc]

You need 2 sloes. What you choose to do with your other 1-2 letters you submit is up to you. Plenty of people submit regular LORs. The key is not submitting regular LORs instead of submitting SLOEs. Once you have 2 sloes, the other 1-2 LORs can be whatever you want.