LOR from away rotation?

[WayChanger]

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Hey colleagues, so here's my situation.

I'm applying for residency programs in internal medicine. I'm probably an average applicant, and I go to a top 40 medical school. I'm currently doing an away rotation at one of my reach programs. Unfortunately, the more...intensive sub-Is at said institution (Medicine, MICU, etc.) were filled up, so I'm doing an outpatient medicine subspecialty elective here. So, I love it here, and I'd love to come here for residency. My preceptor (an associate prof) seems to think fairly highly of my performance. My question is, should I ask for a LOR at the end of the rotation?

Some additional info - I submitted my ERAS on Sept 1. I had more than enough rec letters from my home institution, so I sent off three or four letters everywhere. I don't technically need more letters. I already sent the requested three letters to this reach program. So, if I were to get a LOR from my away elective, I would use it ONLY for this reach program (I figure they might value input from their own faculty), and I guess it would then be an additional, fourth LOR. Would this be worthwhile or helpful? My understanding is that this institution does not give interview invites simply for doing audition rotations here - and in addition, my away elective is an outpatient medicine subspecialty, as mentioned. Part of me thinks that perhaps it wouldn't hurt, though...

 

[NotAProgDirector]

It can't hurt. And why not send it to all programs where you only sent three LOR's already?

Also, you should try to meet the PD. Go to morning report regularly (assuming med studs are invited).

 

[Man In White]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but regarding meeting the PD at an away elective: if the scenario is such that the PD has a reputation of not being especially friendly (even heard of rumors where he shrugs off applicants not from name-schools during interviews), is it still advisable to meet with him/her during an away? This program hasn't even downloaded my application yet, btw. Guess they interview late.

 

[WayChanger]

It can't hurt. And why not send it to all programs where you only sent three LOR's already?

Also, you should try to meet the PD. Go to morning report regularly (assuming med studs are invited).

Thank you for the feedback. Hmm, the thing is, my preceptor on this away rotation right now is not a senior faculty member, and I actually think my letters from my home institution are probably comparable or better. I just thought it would perhaps be of some benefit for this reach program to have a letter from one of its own faculty members.

Regarding your suggestion of morning report; I'm on a largely outpatient subspecialty rotation at the moment (Rheum, to be exact), and participation in morning report is not part of the schedule. There doesn't seem to be any interaction with the IM program per se, in fact. Would you suggest I try to meet with the PD at some point, regardless? I don't want to give the appearance of trying to barge in uninvited. I actually (anonymously) called the program office for this institution prior to my away elective and they stated that visiting clerkship students were not given any special consideration in the application process. (In contrast, I also called the program office for my next away rotation at a different institution, and they invited me to meet with the PD while I was there and have my visit noted on my residency application. Totally different consideration!).

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Regarding your suggestion of morning report; I'm on a largely outpatient subspecialty rotation at the moment (Rheum, to be exact), and participation in morning report is not part of the schedule. There doesn't seem to be any interaction with the IM program per se, in fact. Would you suggest I try to meet with the PD at some point, regardless? I don't want to give the appearance of trying to barge in uninvited. I actually (anonymously) called the program office for this institution prior to my away elective and they stated that visiting clerkship students were not given any special consideration in the application process.

Sounds like they have no interest in meeting you. Sad, IMHO.

 

[smq123]

I actually (anonymously) called the program office for this institution prior to my away elective and they stated that visiting clerkship students were not given any special consideration in the application process. (In contrast, I also called the program office for my next away rotation at a different institution, and they invited me to meet with the PD while I was there and have my visit noted on my residency application. Totally different consideration!).

This is the sad thing about away rotations that many people dono't realize. Some programs, especially the "big names" do NOT care if you do an away rotation there. There is no "courtesy invite" to interview, they don't look at your app more carefully, and it doesn't help the applicant at all.

For some students, it can be quite a slap in the face that they paid to do an away rotation there, had to find housing for that month, worked their butts off....and not even end up with an invitation to interview.

Meeting with the PD of your current rotation can't hurt...but not sure how much it will help, either.

 

[WayChanger]

This is the sad thing about away rotations that many people dono't realize. Some programs, especially the "big names" do NOT care if you do an away rotation there. There is no "courtesy invite" to interview, they don't look at your app more carefully, and it doesn't help the applicant at all.

For some students, it can be quite a slap in the face that they paid to do an away rotation there, had to find housing for that month, worked their butts off....and not even end up with an invitation to interview.

Meeting with the PD of your current rotation can't hurt...but not sure how much it will help, either.

Haha, certainly. This wasn't a huge shock to me, I was fully informed prior to this away rotation that I wouldn't receive any special consideration for doing it. Fortunately, I had other reasons for going away - I really just wanted to check out the program to see if it was a good fit for me, and I wanted to take a break from my own institution. Fortunately costs weren't a huge consideration, my friend was kind enough to let me crash at his place nearby. I totally understand though, I'll be pretty bummed if I don't even get an interview after all is said and done. =]

 

[ResDame]

Have to agree with APD. The other thing is that they may want to appear that there isn't any favoritism, hence shunning you. Maybe its an IM thing.

 

[DrDrToBe]

I am getting mixed info on the value of LORs from away rotations. I am applying in plastics this year, and was told by my adviser that if I do get letters form my away, to only send it to the institution that gives it to me. His reasoning was that other programs will take it as a slap in the face that I rotated at other programs but not theirs, i.e. giving the impression that I am not as interested in their program. My school has a strong program, so he suggested I only get letters from surgeons at my school. What is the general opinion on this?

 

[DrDrToBe]

Bump. I actually finished my away and got a letter from a notable attending. The thing is, I think it's about as strong as another letter I got from an attending at my program. I already submitted my application with 3 letters, but can't decide if I should send the away letter for my 4th, or if I should use the letter from my school. Any advice would be great!

 

[duckie99]

Bump. I actually finished my away and got a letter from a notable attending. The thing is, I think it's about as strong as another letter I got from an attending at my program. I already submitted my application with 3 letters, but can't decide if I should send the away letter for my 4th, or if I should use the letter from my school. Any advice would be great!

well... you're applying to the most difficult to match field so our advice probably isn't the best source of info you need. Personally, I would go with what the people in your home institution that know the process well tell you is best. Sounds like they advised against sending the away letter to a ton of programs. Good luck bro.