Letter of Rec. OR Elective in Residency Program

[medinah]

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I will be applying to Pathology programs and am in the process of scheduling a Pathology rotation. I can rotate in a hospital that doesn't have a residency program for Pathology but I'm pretty sure I can get a great letter of recommendation. Or I can rotate in a hospital that does have a residency program in Pathology but I'm pretty sure I'll get a mediocre letter of recommendation from there. Which road should I take? Thanks guys.

 

[MushieCookie]

Rotate at a hospital with a residency program AND get a great letter of recommendation. Why can't you get a great LOR from a place with a residency program?

 

[TUCOMSam]

If you REALLY have to choose between the "great" letter and a mediocre one, and you really think you can't get one at the residency hospital, I'd go with the great letter first. May be specialty dependent, and I'm not familiar with the ways of pathology. I was in a similar situation and I went with the strong letter and it has served me very well since the physician was well-known and respected in the specialty.