Letters of Recommendation

[adkfanatic]

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2 questions:

Do any programs require letters from the chair of your rad onc department?

How important is it to get a LOR from someone high on the pecking order, such as a chairman or residency director? If you worked more with another faculty member (who is at the level of professor, for example) and got to know him/her better and are sure of a stronger LOR from that person, is it ok to use that over one from a higher up?

 

[Thaiger75]

Do any programs require letters from the chair of your rad onc department?

How important is it to get a LOR from someone high on the pecking order, such as a chairman or residency director? If you worked more with another faculty member (who is at the level of professor, for example) and got to know him/her better and are sure of a stronger LOR from that person, is it ok to use that over one from a higher up?

No program requires a LOR from a chairman. If you're able to get a good one from a chairman, then it certainly doesn't hurt. The second question has been addressed many times on this forum I think and the consensus it seems is that it's better to get someone who knows you well that may not be as famous vs. getting one from someone famous but that is lukewarm and general.

 

[uxbridge]

Ok, I'll probably get shot for this but I need someone to confirm it..heh... 😀

I have noticed a decent amount of cancer patients with depression and anxiety seeking help from the cancer centre's psychologists. At such, would a letter from a senior Psychiatrist be a good/bad idea? I have obtained 2 letters from the dept head and assistant head in the Rad Onc Dept and am hunting a 3rd & 4th. The thing is, I was given a 6 week rotation in Psych and was offered a LoR. I've just started IM rotation and due to summer holidays, have been rotated with multiple preceptors for 2 week periods...hmm....dunno if letters from them will be a good idea as contact is rather short.. help....... 😕

 

[Gfunk6]

My thought is that if you were actually offered a LoR, it would be unwise to turn it down. Besides, you have to get at least ONE from a non-radiation oncologist.

 

[Thaiger75]

There's nothing wrong with getting a LOR from Psych...there's no shame in that, particularly if they offered you one. In fact, one of my best recs came from a psych rotation as well. However, it is very important to get a strong LOR from a Med or Surg rotation or anything from the big 4 (peds, ob/gyn), if possible. I would use the psych rec as an extra one if they allow for a 3rd or 4th LOR.

 

[jbernar1]

In general, do programs prefer to get letters from someone they know or from someone who has a big name in Rad Onc?

 

[JTradonc]

1) I got my first choice and 1 of my letters was from a psychiatrist

2) re big names: se the following link: http://radbio.net/index.php?topic=19.0

-Jonathan

 

[Thaiger75]

In general, do programs prefer to get letters from someone they know or from someone who has a big name in Rad Onc?

Both of course 🙂 I don't think you can go wrong either way. Someone with a big name in Rad Onc might get you more interviews across the board. Someone that the interviewer knows personally will, most often than not, get you an interview at that institution. Plus, they can also give a personal phone call to this person. But if they are not as well known, then it might not benefit you at too many places.

 

[uxbridge]

Thank you so much everyone! I'm so relieved to have some bearings with the LoRs! So I take it that if a prog requires 3 letters - give 2 rad onc and 1 IM/surg/peds/o&g. If 4 letters, add in Psych, right?

Hmm, looks like a recipe.. 🙂 Mucho graciez!

 

[adkfanatic]

Is it necessary to submit 2 letters from rad onc up front?

After I submit three LOR's when ERAS opens in sept (one of which would be in rad onc), I am thinking of sending my second rad onc letter after I complete my September away elective, for a total of 4 LOR's.