Letter of Interest to residencies

[WhatIsGoingOn219]

I'd like to send an email/ Letter of Interest to my top 6-8 programs once ERAS opens... to get on their radar with the hope of getting an interview
When is a good time to do this? Do I have to wait a week after ERAS opens on Sept 29th? I prefer to send it the morning of the 29th but will that be frowned upon?

Thank you! Can't find much info anywhere else on this. In case, it's important am applying Family Medicine

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[7331poas]

I'd like to send an email/ Letter of Interest to my top 6-8 programs once ERAS opens... to get on their radar with the hope of getting an interview
When is a good time to do this? Do I have to wait a week after ERAS opens on Sept 29th? I prefer to send it the morning of the 29th but will that be frowned upon?

Thank you! Can't find much info anywhere else on this. In case, it's important am applying Family Medicine

Top 8 seems excessive and impersonal. Maybe top 1 or 2, I will probably email my top choice the week after eras submission

Just my 2c.

 

[xffan624]

I'd like to send an email/ Letter of Interest to my top 6-8 programs once ERAS opens... to get on their radar with the hope of getting an interview
When is a good time to do this? Do I have to wait a week after ERAS opens on Sept 29th? I prefer to send it the morning of the 29th but will that be frowned upon?

Thank you! Can't find much info anywhere else on this. In case, it's important am applying Family Medicine

Don't sent it on the morning of the 29th. That might actually have the opposite effect you desire. If there is a specific program that you're interested in and the reason is not evident on your application (ie it's outside the area of your hometown or current residence) then maybe an e-mail mid-Oct explaining your sincere desire (and specific reason for) attending a program that might on paper look to be a throwaway or back up application would be warranted. Outside of this specific scenario I think any pre-decision communication would be deleterious to your application, especially in as non-competitive a residency as FM. Remember in medical school you were the seller in a buyer's market. In residency, the transaction is a bit more equivalent.

 

[mrbreakfast]

I would think that any letter of interest (LOI) sent in September would be met with an eye roll. These letters are typically sent to programs where you'd like to interview and did not receive a first-wave invite.

You can do what you want, but most letters seem to be sent about a month after ERAS.

 

[WhatIsGoingOn219]

All great points. Thank you for your help! It seems like it's best to wait a few weeks after ERAS.

 

[aldol16]

Uhhh the best time was probably 4 months ago when PDs weren't already getting tons of emails from prospective applicants. I think you can send the email before you send in the app to get on their radar but you have to cleverly disguise it in the sense that you want to convey your genuine interest in the program and the explicit ask shouldn't just be "can I has an interview?"

 

[Chelsea FC]

I'd like to send an email/ Letter of Interest to my top 6-8 programs once ERAS opens... to get on their radar with the hope of getting an interview
When is a good time to do this? Do I have to wait a week after ERAS opens on Sept 29th? I prefer to send it the morning of the 29th but will that be frowned upon?

Thank you! Can't find much info anywhere else on this. In case, it's important am applying Family Medicine

Best thing u can do is check if you have any connections to the programs. Either reach out to residents or ask attending to make calls for you.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

If you have no connection to the program, no connection to the region and are only regurgitating info on their website, then you don’t really have a strong interest. PDs get these all the time. Unless there is a genuine reason for them to think you’re not blowing smoke up their butts, it adds no value.

For instance, one of my classmates found out the last week in September that her fiancé got a dream job across the country. She emailed those PDs in that city and explained the situation and got interviews at those programs. Her scores were solid but nothing exceptional. Overall, PDs want to know that the candidate may actually commit.

 

[Redpancreas]

If you have no connection to the program, no connection to the region and are only regurgitating info on their website, then you don’t really have a strong interest. PDs get these all the time. Unless there is a genuine reason for them to think you’re not blowing smoke up their butts, it adds no value.

For instance, one of my classmates found out the last week in September that her fiancé got a dream job across the country. She emailed those PDs in that city and explained the situation and got interviews at those programs. Her scores were solid but nothing exceptional. Overall, PDs want to know that the candidate may actually commit.

This exactly OP. PDs get letters regurgitating points on the website as much as women probably get lame pick up lines on dating apps. It only really works if it’s genuine. OTOH, it can’t hurt and may have a 1/1000 chance of landing you an extra interview so if you’re motivated to work for that diminishing benefit, go for it!

 

[goatmed]

Don't sent it on the morning of the 29th. That might actually have the opposite effect you desire. If there is a specific program that you're interested in and the reason is not evident on your application (ie it's outside the area of your hometown or current residence) then maybe an e-mail mid-Oct explaining your sincere desire (and specific reason for) attending a program that might on paper look to be a throwaway or back up application would be warranted. Outside of this specific scenario I think any pre-decision communication would be deleterious to your application, especially in as non-competitive a residency as FM. Remember in medical school you were the seller in a buyer's market. In residency, the transaction is a bit more equivalent.

In this vein, what is a nice way of saying "I really am considering your program and you're not just a backup" to a program that might think an applicant is suspect for listing them as a backup and ranking them low? I have started drafting a letter about this and feel like I keep beating around the bush.

 

[snooper]

Ask a genuine question about the PD, their work, and/or the program the answer/s to which are not easy to google. And relate it to your interest/background.