LOR and PS question

[tig3r]

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Is there a disadvantage to having a private practice pathologist write a strong LOR or is it better to have an LOR from an academic pathologist? I ask because I've been rotating at a community hospital and so far it's been a great experience with this pathology group and I wanted to ask a pathologist here for a letter.
Also, should a personal statement be no longer than 1 page typed, single spaced?

Thanks for your help.

 

[yaah]

Can't you have both?

If it's going to be a good letter, it never hurts to have it. It is nice to have at least one letter from an academic pathologist, however. They generally know better what to put in letters, what is important, etc.

I wouldn't go much over 1 page with a personal statement, but no one really keeps track unless it's way too long. I don't know how much space they give you nowadays.

 

[Arctic Char]

Can't you have both?

If it's going to be a good letter, it never hurts to have it. It is nice to have at least one letter from an academic pathologist, however. They generally know better what to put in letters, what is important, etc.

I wouldn't go much over 1 page with a personal statement, but no one really keeps track unless it's way too long. I don't know how much space they give you nowadays.

they give you a ridiculous amount of space, as a matter of fact. 28,000 characters . . .

i thought of just writing something like "Dear PD-X, I really really really really . . . ( x 1,000) . . . really really want to go to your program."

 

[deschutes]

Depends on the nature of this private practice pathologist. 2 of my 3 fellowship application LORs were from private practice pathologists who had previously been staff for many years at Mayo (though not even close to being in any of my favoured subspecialties). I would say get one from each. Also make sure at least one strong letter comes from a minority female, and that the letter-writers span a large age range.... 😉 I keeed, I keeed.

Re: the personal statement - if you had hundreds of applications to screen, you'd value the brevity of the one-page personal statement too. The PS is scanned, not scrutinized.