letters of rec question

[mousy93]

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[asmallchild]

Hi everyone,

I have a question on LOR for dermatology match. I currently have:

1 - home derm chair's letter (will be succinct, shorter than other letters, but well-written and obviously necessary) - must keep this letter
2 - home PD letter (unfortunately haven't had too much direct interaction with the PD)
3 - research mentor/clinical letter from big name research mentor who is also dermatologist who I've worked with for 1 year - must keep this letter
4- research mentor/clinical letter who is also a dermatologist who I've worked with for 1 year but who isn't well known but I have great relationship with - would like to keep this letter if possible

I'm also going to be doing 2 away rotations and plan on picking up letters from those. My question is, how important is it that the letter writer be your program director who you might not know that well vs. a lesser known dermatologist whose letter you know will be very positive vs. letters from away rotations showing that you are geographically flexible etc? I'm just having a bit of a dilemma over which to choose... Thanks in advance.

I agree you have to keep letters 1 and 3. Many programs will think it odd if your home PD does not write a letter in support of your application, 2 may be a must-keep for certain programs.

The lesser known dermatologist (no matter how great the letter) is probably going to be the one to remove

If you are applying to programs in the general area of your aways, that is a letter I would probably include as well for those particular programs.

 

[mousy93]

And what's your opinion on non-derm letters? I plan to use a medicine one for prelim year, but it looks like using a non-derm letter is pretty much optional for the dermatology match itself... Thanks!

 

[MilkIsGood]

I agree you have to keep letters 1 and 3. Many programs will think it odd if your home PD does not write a letter in support of your application, 2 may be a must-keep for certain programs.

The lesser known dermatologist (no matter how great the letter) is probably going to be the one to remove

If you are applying to programs in the general area of your aways, that is a letter I would probably include as well for those particular programs.

really? my PD is a peds derm and we dont rotate in peds derm during the month long elective

 

[asmallchild]

And what's your opinion on non-derm letters? I plan to use a medicine one for prelim year, but it looks like using a non-derm letter is pretty much optional for the dermatology match itself... Thanks!

Exactly, I'd use it for the prelim year but derm letters will carry much more weight for the dermatology match itself

 

[asmallchild]

really? my PD is a peds derm and we dont rotate in peds derm during the month long elective

You'll want to check the website of the programs you are applying to to see who they want letters from. I didn't even meet my PD until the last day of the elective and was still urged to get one of my letters from her.