LOR from a Pediatrician?

[Perforin]

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I know we need 3 letters in our Ophtho application. I was planning on having two Ophtho letters, and one Non-Ophtho letter. I've heard surgery and IM are the best letters to get for that non-ophtho one.

But, I just recently spent a week with a pediatric oncologist (part of my peds rotation) who took a real special interest in me and told me he wanted to write me a letter of rec. We just spent a week together but I guess I impressed him. Which is rare, as I didn't seem to impress anyone on my IM rotation. Would Ophtho programs frown upon a letter of rec from a Pediatrician? Or an OBGYN (had a great experience with an OB as well)? I would assume that what is in the letter is more important than who wrote it (for the non-ophtho letter), but I could be wrong.

 

[GuitarHero1]

In my opinion it doesn't matter. When I sent in my application, I sent it with 1 ophthalmology, 1 IM and 1 pediatric letter. I then sent another supplemental letter from another ophthalmologist to programs individually. I matched to my second program on my rank list. If you trust that the pediatrician or obgyn will write a strong letter talking about your personality and hard work, then go with it. That's better than a so-so letter from IM or surg.

 

[taco bell]

on the same note, what about a letter of rec from a family physician? Thanks

 

[cme2c]

Go for the letter from someone who really took interest, no question.

 

[Visionary]

Go for the letter from someone who really took interest, no question.

Ditto. Will be a glowing LOR, and that's what you need, no matter the specialty.

 

[Verno]

Go for the letter from someone who really took interest, no question.

What if the FP doesn't practice at the medical center? Im not sure how other med schools do their family practice clerkships, but my home institution sends us all over the state for our FP rotation. So, the FP I was thinking of using is affiliated with the med center through the clerkship, but really has nothing to do with the residency program at my school, and is not well known in the field. I know he would write me a killer LOR, but given his credentials, would it carry any weight in the world of Ophtho? Thanks for any replies.

 

[JMK2005]

What if the FP doesn't practice at the medical center? Im not sure how other med schools do their family practice clerkships, but my home institution sends us all over the state for our FP rotation. So, the FP I was thinking of using is affiliated with the med center through the clerkship, but really has nothing to do with the residency program at my school, and is not well known in the field. I know he would write me a killer LOR, but given his credentials, would it carry any weight in the world of Ophtho? Thanks for any replies.

It doesn't matter how big of a name the FP is, ophthalmology programs will not have a clue who he is. If he precepts students, he likely has some clinical title with the medical school.

 

[eyesupply]

I got in with great recommendations but from the "wrong" people. My ophthalmology chairman refused to write a letter. I had to settle for an ophthalmologist in the community who wrote on his office letterhead. The letterhead was really ugly looking, like the AAA Acme Eye Clinic with some cheesy logo. I was sent to him for 2 weeks of the ophthalmology elective and 2 one week blocks at the university where it was hard to get letters. I think the ophthalmologist letter was good but I forgot.

To beef that up, I got the surgery chair to write a letter, which was a really good letter. A peds faculty also wrote a good letter.