LOR help

[BobCat3]

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Hi, I have a question about LORs. I will have one from a medicine attending (course director) and one from the director of VIR. My question is that I also want to get another letter from another VIR attending. The thing is I just took a VIR rotation and that is how i know both the attendings. And those would be my 3 LOR for my app. What do you guys think?

 

[schan]

Hi, I have a question about LORs. I will have one from a medicine attending (course director) and one from the director of VIR. My question is that I also want to get another letter from another VIR attending. The thing is I just took a VIR rotation and that is how i know both the attendings. And those would be my 3 LOR for my app. What do you guys think?

I'd be happy to help you in your application to radiology! First off, congratulations on choosing a great field! You will be very happy.

From my perspective, I think that having 2 VIR attendings write letters may be too much on the radiology side; BUT that being said--the goal is to get glowing letters across the board. If you think that you will have 3 STRONG letters, then that somewhat trumps where the letters came from. Unless you can get another STRONG letter from a non-radiologist. Have you done any research or do you know a surgeon? surgical subspecialties LORs carry significant weight as well. Bottom line is that a great letter is a great letter. So it seems you have strong advocates for you in VIR/radiology--I am sure you will do great! Best of luck and tell me later in April where you end up!

Steven Chan

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

Just want to say I've heard the same thing. A PD told me he'd prefer to see a candidate who has two non radiology LOR's from different fields, with surgery and medicine being favored. Of course, radiologists also work with OB/Gyns, Peds, Neurologist, EM so one from those would be strong too. The gist was because radiologists work with everybody, it'd be nice to have a candidate who they know can work with a variety of different fields.

But again, if you've got two VIR guys whos are going to sell you hard and say you're the greatest thing since sliced bread, yeah, you should be fine. If they're going to be wishy washy and generic, think about some variety.

 

[172821]

Do most places require 3 or 4 letters?

Also, any opinion on FM docs writing LORs?

 

[Amxcvbcv]

Do most places require 3 or 4 letters?

Also, any opinion on FM docs writing LORs?

I don't know the answer to your first question. Most programs outline their requirements pretty well. If not, send the program director's secretary an e-mail if you need clarification.

As for a FM doc writing a letter, my impression is that the content of the letter had much more bearing than the specialty of the writer. For example, you might get a generic cookie-cutter letter for the hot shot program director at your program because he just happened to see you in the reading room a few days a week, or you could get a strong, whole-hearted, sincere endorsement from the local community physician that worked with you in the community clinic. Which one do you think carries more weight?

Make sure the person writing the letter really knows you or at the very least worked directly with you.

 

[hans19]

As for a FM doc writing a letter, my impression is that the content of the letter had much more bearing than the specialty of the writer. For example, you might get a generic cookie-cutter letter for the hot shot program director at your program because he just happened to see you in the reading room a few days a week, or you could get a strong, whole-hearted, sincere endorsement from the local community physician that worked with you in the community clinic. Which one do you think carries more weight?

Make sure the person writing the letter really knows you or at the very least worked directly with you.

👍

agreed... see FAQ, its stickied for a reason.

 

[172821]

👍

agreed... see FAQ, its stickied for a reason.

Good Point.

Didnt even think of the FAQ when posting.