Letters of Recommendation

[thepoopologist]

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I've just finished two brutal months of surgery rotation where I've been constantly hammered on my basic science weaknesses and been outshined by a more aggressive classmate who didn't think twice at trying to take control. It's dawned on me that I need to start asking for letters of recommendation throughout the year to apply to either a Family Medicine or Internal Medicine residency. I need three, correct?

The last two months of rounding, I've tried my best at getting to know the patients, which I've done okay in +/- some screwups where I've missed important details, and as far as presenting the patients, I've stumbled in that I'm not as eloquent in describing the case succinctly.

My schedule the next four months is 2 months of Peds, 2 months of FM. This month is Peds ER, and I think I'm going to spend it catching up on basic pathophysiology and going over the Kaplan Peds videos in preparation for next month, when I'm going to ask for a LOR.

Any tips on how to look better in front of the attending? Presentation-wise or other?

Thanks

 

[Dirt]

I assume you are an M3.

If that is the case, you are way ahead of the game on LORs. Most people get almost all of their letters from 4th year. If people do get 3rd year letters they are usually from rotations at the very end of the year.

Why you might ask?

Because everyone pretty much sucks at the beginning of 3rd year. The way you look better in front of attendings is by continuing to present patients and learn to suck less and less as the year goes on.

My advice. Don't ask for letters 3rd year just to ask for letters. If you know, and I do mean know, that a particular attending absolutely loves you, ask them for a letter. If they offer you a letter unprovoked, accept it. Otherwise just wait until 4th year when they all know you need a letter from the word go, and will try to look for your upside.

Trust me when I tell you that you will not have trouble getting 3 letters. Especially in family or medicine where you can draw from a bunch of specialties.

 

[cpcc]

no real time is the best. Who ever you click with is the best. its all about networking. See who the attending knows and in which programs. The phone call gets you in. The rest is a formality.