LOR Question

[nvshelat]

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By the end of this week, I will have completed an 8 week summer program in anesthesiology meant for students between their 1st and 2nd years of med school. I learned a ton and am pretty sure that I want to go into the field. The program consisted of 2 parts: helping to do stuff (typical intubation, nasal intubation, pushing drugs, airway management, IVs) and doing research. I feel that I did pretty well at both of these by the end (as for the latter, we're submitting an abstract soon).

My question is this - how do I ask for a letter of recommendation when I'm so early in the process? It wasn't an official rotation but I still did a ton and I think the attendings, residents, and fellows think I did a good job. If I ask my direct supervisor (attending) I think his obvious question would be, "letter of recommendation for what?" and if I say residency, then I'm afraid he'll say that I'm too far out to worry about that. I would ask for a general letter of praise, but I know that those don't fare too well... what should I do? Should I even bother?

 

[Surfer]

in my opinion, you'd do better to cultivate those ties through the rest of your med school experience, then do another rotation at the appropriate time, and get your letter of recommendation when you are applying to residency. It really is too soon to do that now. The truth is, as good as you did at those technical skills, you will be a much, much better student when the appropriate time comes as far as knowledge base and clinical acumen. Those are the things that make a good letter. As I was told when I was a student "a monkey can intubate" so programs really don't care how good you are at it.

just my 2 cents.

but the reality is, there is a really good chance you will change your mind about specialties several times throughout med school. Just concentrate on doing good in school and cultivating those relationships you made during your preceptorship.

 

[fakin' the funk]

I think his obvious question would be, "letter of recommendation for what?" and if I say residency, then I'm afraid he'll say that I'm too far out to worry about that. I would ask for a general letter of praise, but I know that those don't fare too well... what should I do? Should I even bother?

He'd be right.

Wait until your 4th year and then do another rotation at your institution. Maybe request to work with that attending. Build on your experience. Be patient.

It's a good start you had...but only that: a start. Not only may you change your mind on your career goals, but a letter from 1st/2nd year doesn't touch your clinical knowledge/skills.

 

[granolabar2]

Residency programs will only accept recently written letters. Plus, your recommendation letter needs to be submitted with your forms from ERAS, which have your applicant number on them.
You could always express interest to the attending now about doing another rotation with him or her during third year.