Letter from someone you didn't rotate with

[DWB]

First off, big congratulations to those who matched!
Hopefully some of you can answer my question based on your experience.
I have been working with a faculty member (MD) on a community project, but never on a rotation. He is a specialist and most likely I will not be rotating with him in the future.
I have had positive experience working with him, and I think he has been pleased with my involvement in the community service. Would it be wise to ask him for a letter?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[teacherman84]

First off, big congratulations to those who matched!
Hopefully some of you can answer my question based on your experience.
I have been working with a faculty member (MD) on a community project, but never on a rotation. He is a specialist and most likely I will not be rotating with him in the future.
I have had positive experience working with him, and I think he has been pleased with my involvement in the community service. Would it be wise to ask him for a letter?

If he will write a strong letter then I say it cant hurt to get a letter, use it if you need it. If hes in the department you're interested in pursuing from residency then its definitely worth it. I got one from a PD I worked with as a premed and did a little research with during med school even though I never did a rotation with him. I was told it was a strong letter and Im glad I got it.

 

[gutonc]

If this is your 4th or 5th letter, then sure, go for it. If it's going to be one of your 3 core LORs, no.

 

[padastra]

If this is your 4th or 5th letter, then sure, go for it. If it's going to be one of your 3 core LORs, no.

There's a four letter maximum, and most programs require a Chair's letter (which counts towards that four; the Dean's letter does not). That leaves you just three, and most advisers recommended using all of those for clinical rotations. That's what the vast majority of programs care the most about. It also depends on what your "community project" was, and whether objectively it is something that is truly exceptional.

 

[gutonc]

I am completely aware of the 4 LOR max per program as well as the need for a Chair's letter. But you can have as many LORs in ERAS as you want and assign them as you wish.

The only time I can imagine a LOR from something like this is if you're applying to the Social Medicine program at Einstein (and other similar programs) where they'd get massive wood from something like that. Otherwise they should all be clinical.

 

[padastra]

I am completely aware of the 4 LOR max per program as well as the need for a Chair's letter.

Fair enough, but I was informing OP; before July or so I wasn't aware of this limit (and unbelievably several of my advisers weren't either). Was quoting you just to clarify your post.