letters of recs for residency?

[2007er]

for residency LORs, how much does it matter that the person writting letter has a full professor title? besides chair's letter which is just cosigned by a head of dept, I don't think any of my recommenders will be "professors"...probably an 'associate prof' that's pretty well known in his field and the rest are 'assistant prof' who aren't into research. waht's everyone's take?

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[cialis]

Hi Everyone,
My questions is the same as the OP. Does it also matter whether everyone comments on your choice of specialty (besides those specialists themselves)?
Thanks,
Cialis

for residency LORs, how much does it matter that the person writting letter has a full professor title? besides chair's letter which is just cosigned by a head of dept, I don't think any of my recommenders will be "professors"...probably an 'associate prof' that's pretty well known in his field and the rest are 'assistant prof' who aren't into research. waht's everyone's take?

 

[Winged Scapula]

LIke most things, the difference is probably not significant. While having a letter from a full professor, international superstar is best (makes your application "shine"), if in fact that person doesn't know you as well as someone less ranked, then the letter is rather worthless.

Believe me, there are a lot of average letters out there and most of them come from these "superstars" who don't really know the applicant. I don't care if the letter is signed by Halstead if it seems apparent he doesn't know John Q. Applicant from a hole in the ground.

Plenty of letters are from associate or assistant professors and it doesn't really matter; the content matters. Of course, this does not translate to it being ok to have a resident or non-medical person (ie, clergy) write you a LOR.

As for letters from outside your field of choice, again, it doesn't really matter if they specify your field or just say House Officer. After all, does a Internist really know what it takes to be a Surgical resident, and vice versa?

 

[cialis]

Hi Kimberli,
That was really helpful. Thank you so much. Does it matter whether letters come from 3rd year attendings (such as Peds attending who was covering service for 2 weeks, as most of the services at my hospital, but whom you worked very closely with) -or- attendings from early 4th year electives with whom you spent some more time (closer to 3-4 weeks)?
Thanks,
Cialis

LIke most things, the difference is probably not significant. While having a letter from a full professor, international superstar is best (makes your application "shine"), if in fact that person doesn't know you as well as someone less ranked, then the letter is rather worthless.

Believe me, there are a lot of average letters out there and most of them come from these "superstars" who don't really know the applicant. I don't care if the letter is signed by Halstead if it seems apparent he doesn't know John Q. Applicant from a hole in the ground.

Plenty of letters are from associate or assistant professors and it doesn't really matter; the content matters. Of course, this does not translate to it being ok to have a resident or non-medical person (ie, clergy) write you a LOR.

As for letters from outside your field of choice, again, it doesn't really matter if they specify your field or just say House Officer. After all, does a Internist really know what it takes to be a Surgical resident, and vice versa?

 

[gutonc]

Hi Kimberli,
That was really helpful. Thank you so much. Does it matter whether letters come from 3rd year attendings (such as Peds attending who was covering service for 2 weeks, as most of the services at my hospital, but whom you worked very closely with) -or- attendings from early 4th year electives with whom you spent some more time (closer to 3-4 weeks)?
Thanks,
Cialis

The conventional wisdom is that your LoRs should come from SubI and elective attendings in the field you want to go into. That said, if you got along really well with an attending in one of your core clerkships and you really kicked a$$ in it then it's probably okay to ask them to write a letter. The main reason to get letters from later on in your med school days is that you're less likely to be running around like a chicken with your head cut off than you are in your clerkships. Also, not having to study for a shelf exam gives you time to read more about your patients and really shine on rounds.

 

[fzwarrior]

Anyone ever ask for a LOR from an attending you have worked with in the past via email? Just curious if this would be a breach in etiquette because my schedule is keeping me from being able to ask in person.

 

[gutonc]

Anyone ever ask for a LOR from an attending you have worked with in the past via email? Just curious if this would be a breach in etiquette because my schedule is keeping me from being able to ask in person.

Only about 90% of people ask for LORs this way.

Also, solid necrobump bro.