Lor

[Medstudentquest]

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I got a LOR from someone in the department I'm interested in matching into. This attending has told me how good she thinks I am, and I believe she wrote me a great letter. I asked another attending within the same department to write me a letter, and she told me that she'd be glad to do it. I was about to give her all the info for the letter, but a colleague believes it's a bad idea to ask someone within the same department to get a letter from.

I personally think that getting more letters within the same department is a great idea.

What is the consensus here? Is it bad etiquette to ask another attending within the same department for a LOR, or is it a good idea?

 

[Ludicolo]

I don't think it's a big deal. I personally used 2 LORs from different attendings within the same department. In fact their offices were right next to each other. Turned out fine for me.

You want strong, positive letters from attendings who have worked closely with you. Ideally at least one should be in the specialty to which you are applying. That's all that matters. Doesn't matter if they are from the same department.

 

[Medstudentquest]

I don't think it's a big deal. I personally used 2 LORs from different attendings within the same department. In fact their offices were right next to each other. Turned out fine for me.

You want strong, positive letters from attendings who have worked closely with you. Ideally at least one should be in the specialty to which you are applying. That's all that matters. Doesn't matter if they are from the same department.

That's what I was thinking. The thing is that I am applying for a competitive specialty and would like to match at my home school. I know one of the attendings whom i asked for a letter was very supportive and helpful, gave me advice during the rotation, etc. etc., so I don't really have any concerns about her letter. The other attending I worked with her a bit less, but she's well known in the department and thought well of me during the rotation. She also told me she would be happy to write me a letter, so I take that as a positive sign. She's also from the specialty I'm applying to.

I inquired about another letter from someone I had asked before. The secretary told me, "We do form letters." I told her I would prefer a more personal letter, especially since I did major work for this attending and I'm helping him publish stuff so I don't want a generic thing. I suggested I could provide or even write the stuff if necessary. Should I just send her the information and be done with it?

 

[Ludicolo]

I inquired about another letter from someone I had asked before. The secretary told me, "We do form letters." I told her I would prefer a more personal letter, especially since I did major work for this attending and I'm helping him publish stuff so I don't want a generic thing. I suggested I could provide or even write the stuff if necessary. Should I just send her the information and be done with it?

I would politely ask if you could talk to the attending directly, to see if he modifies the form letter at all to be more personal, emphasizing your research and work ethic and such. Perhaps the form letter is worded strongly and already takes this into account, who knows? You might be stressing out over nothing. But I guess it also depends how much weight this guy carries within the department, and within the specialty in general.