LOR question...sorry

[MrsMcDreamy]

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I have read a lot of LOR questions in the forum, but none seem to apply to my situation so I am begging for some advice. I go to a school that does not have an EM residency program or any presence really (no advisor, nothing). I am currently at an away rotation from which I will get a SLOR (I hope it's good since I really like the program). I am having trouble getting a LOR from an EM doc where I spent a month in the ED on my medicine rotation. I don't know if he is superbusy or what. His latest email after about 8 weeks of zero communication was he was "gonna get on this". Without his letter, I only have the SLOR for EM letters. My other away EM rotation is in late Oct./Nov. Should I even bother to ask for a SLOR at this rotation? I have a non-EM letter from a commissioner of a health dept. where I did a lot of public health work before med school. Is that a good one for the non-EM letter? What should I do (is there anything) to make up for a lack of EM letters?

 

[SepulvedaMD]

I have read a lot of LOR questions in the forum, but none seem to apply to my situation so I am begging for some advice. I go to a school that does not have an EM residency program or any presence really (no advisor, nothing). I am currently at an away rotation from which I will get a SLOR (I hope it's good since I really like the program).

You will likely get a SLOR, start with the clerkship director or any faculty you have worked a few shifts with.

I am having trouble getting a LOR from an EM doc where I spent a month in the ED on my medicine rotation. I don't know if he is superbusy or what. His latest email after about 8 weeks of zero communication was he was "gonna get on this". Without his letter, I only have the SLOR for EM letters.

Continue to follow up on this letter and it should be SLOR if the doc is an EM RT/BC physician

My other away EM rotation is in late Oct./Nov. Should I even bother to ask for a SLOR at this rotation? I have a non-EM letter from a commissioner of a health dept. where I did a lot of public health work before med school. Is that a good one for the non-EM letter? What should I do (is there anything) to make up for a lack of EM letters?

I am also taking an away in Oct, what I was instructed to do by programs is to make a space for the letter in ERAS. So, contact the program and find out who writes the letters for rotating students if you can, then make a place for it. That way programs that you will applying to in September will see that you have a second SLOR coming

 

[gman33]

"I have a non-EM letter from a commissioner of a health dept. where I did a lot of public health work before med school. Is that a good one for the non-EM letter? What should I do (is there anything) to make up for a lack of EM letters? "


I don't think that would make a good letter at all.
Programs want to know how you perform clinically. This guy(girl) pretty much can't add anything to that end.

Get another LOR from a clinical rotation from third year.

 

[SepulvedaMD]

Oops...I missed that part with all the other stuff in the post

From what I have heard, it varies what non-EM letters are helpful. Some will say Surg, OB, medicine, while others don't think any are helpful. Still others might say that the best letters are from those that know you best.

Take all with a grain of salt since the most crucial element is securing SLORs

 

[gro2001]

"I have a non-EM letter from a commissioner of a health dept. where I did a lot of public health work before med school. Is that a good one for the non-EM letter? What should I do (is there anything) to make up for a lack of EM letters? "


I don't think that would make a good letter at all.
Programs want to know how you perform clinically. This guy(girl) pretty much can't add anything to that end.

Get another LOR from a clinical rotation from third year.

I think that's only partly true. The true part: programs are mostly interested in knowing how you perform clinically. For that purpose, nothing can take the spot of a SLOR (short of personal experience of working with you). However, many programs (especially ones with a particular academic bend) look for that something extra. Say, if a program is big on international EM, then having some sort of experience/letter to show your dedication to that field could get you an invite. Similarly, a program or faculty member with an interest in public health or health policy would probably take your commissioner letter very seriously.

Having said that, such a letter is icing. You still need a good cake (1 or 2 strong SLORs).

 

[MrsMcDreamy]

So I got the letter from the EM physician that is the Director of Medical Education finally....and it's good! 🙂 However, I had him do a regular LOR because he is not faculty from an EM residency (I thought those were the only people who could fill out SLORs), but he does teach the EM portion of a family practice residency. I'm being told by my peers that it should have been a SLOR. I uploaded it to ERAS already and it has been dowloaded by programs already. I only have one SLOR and this letter from EM. Did I miss the boat? Should I try and get another SLOR from my away that ends 11/20? So confused...

 

[MrsMcDreamy]

any advice appreciated...please!

 

[SepulvedaMD]

Questions:

1. Is the EM physician that wrote your letter at RT/BC EM physician, or another specialist that works in the ED? If that person is RT/BC, I have heard that it is better to have them write a SLOR even if there is no residency.

I would also get a SLOR from your away this november IMO. I have a late away and was advised to obtain a SLOR because it will look strange that you rotated somewhere and did not receive a letter.

That help?

 

[MrsMcDreamy]

Yes, thank you! I believe he is BC EM, but not RT. He was "grandfathered" in I guess (worked at UCLA for a long, long time). I think it's too late for me to change that letter to a SLOR since I finalized it in ERAS 🙁 As far as the SLOR from the rotation that ends in late November, would you finalize that in ERAS? I will ask for one, but how would I use it? Thanks!

 

[SepulvedaMD]

I did finalize a SLOR from a future rotation after I spoke with the clerkship coordinator. I called programs about that very question, and the answer was that they can see who the letter writer is so they will expect the letter at some point. However, this will only work if you figure out who will be writing the letter ahead of time.