letters of rec for fellowship

[GasDaddy]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am most likely going to apply for a cardiac fellowship. Was wondering what the consensus is on who to get letters from? Most programs want chairman and or PD + one or more attendings that know you very well. That being said, how important is it to get letters from cardiac people? I actually don't know the cardiac people that well, and personally don't like them that much....haha, even though I want to do cardiac. I'm gonna bypass (no pun intended) getting a letter from a cardiac attending. What do you guys think?

 

[proman]

It'll be a big deal. My only cardiac letter was from someone very well known in cardiac, but a little less active clinically because his research had taken off. He was someone I turned to for career advice and wrote a good letter. I was still asked if I had worked with him in cardiac (I had) and if he was still doing current cardiac clinical work. It's a small field, and will look suspect if you don't have any cardiac letter (even just 1).

 

[SleepIsGood]

its all about one thing....a good letter.

It's not always who wrote the letter...it's the content as well. I can tell you on the interview trail that's what they care about to a great deal.

Dont get me wrong...someone huge...like Barash or someone writng a letter probably helps..

 

[GasDaddy]

Are we allowed to ask to see the letters after they are written? Aren't they supposed to be "confidential" like the whole ERAS b.s.?

We don't have anyone well known in cardiac at my program, so I don't think it is going to make a difference. In fact, I would not feel comfortable asking any of the cardiac guys to see the letter before I send it.

I agree, I think content is more important... people who can do an honest characterization. The main cardiac people at my program are annoying, they don't teach for s*hit, I don't feel they are good people and to top it off I don't think they like me that much to write a great letter. That being said, I can get good letters from PD, associate PD, chairman. Wierd huh?