LOR as a transfering resident?

[lost777]

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I'm currently a PGY 1...I'm applying to another residency, different specialty... I will of course get a LOR from my current program director. That is my only letter thus far.

I have no LOR from my current program in the specialty that I'm applying to simply because I have had no exposure to it.

Would LOR from when I was a medical student suffice? Im worried they will not remember me, and also they are all across the country...

Any advice? Thanks 🙂

 

[NotAProgDirector]

If you're applying in ERAS, and only have 1 letter now, you're already very, very late. You can try to get letters from med school, but you've already outlined the problems -- they are old, and they may not remember you. Best would have been new specialty specific letters, but that's not an option per your post. So, second best are other letters from your current program. Then, try to schedule time getting exposure to your new specialty, such that later in the season you can update. Or, if you end up in SOAP, you have some specialty specific letters then. We can help more if we knew what field you were switching from and to.

EDIT: Looking at your posting history, it appears you're IM -> Path. That's reasonably good, since path isn't terribly competitive and you're switching from a more to less clinical specialty. My advice is still the same -- try to set up a path elective ASAP. Get 2 more LOR's from people in your IM residency, yesterday. Apply tomorrow. You're already late, so this may be a waste of money, so be aware of that. But there's always SOAP.

 

[lost777]

If you're applying in ERAS, and only have 1 letter now, you're already very, very late. You can try to get letters from med school, but you've already outlined the problems -- they are old, and they may not remember you. Best would have been new specialty specific letters, but that's not an option per your post. So, second best are other letters from your current program. Then, try to schedule time getting exposure to your new specialty, such that later in the season you can update. Or, if you end up in SOAP, you have some specialty specific letters then. We can help more if we knew what field you were switching from and to.

EDIT: Looking at your posting history, it appears you're IM -> Path. That's reasonably good, since path isn't terribly competitive and you're switching from a more to less clinical specialty. My advice is still the same -- try to set up a path elective ASAP. Get 2 more LOR's from people in your IM residency, yesterday. Apply tomorrow. You're already late, so this may be a waste of money, so be aware of that. But there's always SOAP.

Yes I know I'm quite late 🙁

SOAP = scramble if im not mistaken.

Setting up ERAS and my application sets me up to participate in the scramble, correct? So If I'm way too late, its still helping me in a way. How does the scramble work? I just call whoever has an opening? Thanks.

 

[rokshana]

Yes I know I'm quite late 🙁

SOAP = scramble if im not mistaken.

Setting up ERAS and my application sets me up to participate in the scramble, correct? So If I'm way too late, its still helping me in a way. How does the scramble work? I just call whoever has an opening? Thanks.

no SOAP is not the same as scramble...SOAP replaced the scramble many years ago...it is basically a second iteration of the match on a quicker pace with (generally) no in person interviews...go to the nrmp website for more detailed information.

http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Applicant-Match-Week-SOAP-Guide.pdf

 

[doc05]

Why are you applying to a specialty where you've had no exposure?

 

[lost777]

Why are you applying to a specialty where you've had no exposure?

I've had no exposure to it in residency, since im in a different specialty. I've had exposure as a 3rd year medical student. I brought up exposure with regard to getting current letters from residency faculty.

 

[lost777]

no SOAP is not the same as scramble...SOAP replaced the scramble many years ago...it is basically a second iteration of the match on a quicker pace with (generally) no in person interviews...go to the nrmp website for more detailed information.

thank you. so I guess if Im late and will likely have to go through SOAP, I should plan to have those few days off..