Letter of Recommendation for Residency?

[GonefromTX]

Hi, I'm still a second year and residency is still some time away, but I'm clueless as to how recommendations work.

Basically, my research faculty (hes an anesthesiologist attending) told me today that I did a good job on the project and he'd love to recommend me if I need any help for applying to residency. I'm not sure how this works. Does he write me a letter on Interfolio like med school applications? Or does he need to make phone calls for me?

Also, I'm pretty sure I want to do something surgical like ortho. So would he (an anesthesiologist) be any help as long as residency applications go?

Thanks in advance!

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[Ismet]

It's a letter that gets uploaded to ERAS (the residency application service, similar to AMCAS).

You can only send a maximum of 4 letters of recommendation to each program, and most programs require at least 3 (at least in my field). Is this faculty member someone you'll continue to work with on research throughout medical school? If so, then that may be a worthwhile recommendation to have. Otherwise you'll likely get your letters from clinical faculty from your rotations.

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

Try and do a rotation with this attending during your third year that way he can comment on your clinical performance as well. If nothing else, stay involved with research projects with him over the next year or so to help make his letter stronger should you choose to use it when you apply.

I would only use a research letter instead of 4 clinical letters if you have significant contact with him (ie, more than just one summer's worth of projects).

If you do use this letter, you'll ask him formally to write for you in ~June before your fourth year when ERAS opens.

 

[Donald Juan]

Just FYI, surgical subspecialties like ortho essentially require all LORs to be from academic faculty in the specialty you're applying to. You get these letters during 4th year when you do a sub-I and away rotations.

Many other specialties will just recommend you get the best letters possible and say it is ok if they are from another specialty. It is assumed they are typically from clinical faculty (or I would at least recommend 3/4 from clinical faculty).