LORs in time?

[InternationlDoc]

---

Members do not see this ad.

My goal is to submit ERAS sept 1st, problem is that my potentially strongest letter would not be in till end of september/early october. This is a specialty letter that Im hoping to procure after an away rotation.

So assuming I submit 1 specialty letter and 2 clinical letters, given the fact that most places allow 4 letters, could I just submit 3 clinical letters so that I could be complete and then add the 4th specialty letter? Also, would I be considered complete without the specialty letter in place?

 

[hippiedoc13]

So assuming I submit 1 specialty letter and 2 clinical letters, given the fact that most places allow 4 letters, could I just submit 3 clinical letters so that I could be complete and then add the 4th specialty letter? Also, would I be considered complete without the specialty letter in place?

Yes. Submit your ERAS and the LORs you have as early as possible. If you have the 3 LORs then your application will be complete. Then send the 4th letter from your away rotation later, when you get it. Depending on the specialty and the program, your application may even be considered and you may even be offered an interview before your file is complete.

 

[DHT]

So they expect us to have 3 LORs in by Sept 1st? I will have only done 1 rotation by then. That is ridiculous.

 

[hippiedoc13]

No, you are not necessarily expected to have your 3 LOR in by Sept 1st. The reality is that that is probably the part of your application that is least under your control, since it really depends on your letter-writers to get them in and your dean's office to upload them. I think programs recognize this. However--since you can anticipate that the LOR will likely take a while, it's helpful to ask for them as early as you can, and get the needed materials to your letter-writers.

For the parts of your ERAS that ARE under your control, however, it is to your advantage to submit them as early as possible. Doesn't necessarily have to be Sept 1st. But I would aim for first or second week of Sept, especially if you are applying to a competitive specialty or if you are a candidate who falls into that category of "apply early and broadly" advice.

Your application file is officially considered "complete" when the program has received your ERAS, your personal statement, all of the required LOR, your MSPE/Dean's Letter, and your USMLE transcript. The only hard-and-fast requirement is that your file must be complete by the deadline that the program sets (which can be anywhere between Nov 1st and Jan 1st).

Finally, you should also realize that many (but not all) programs will start reviewing applicants before the files are complete, and will start offering interviews. I received my first interview offer 2 days after submitting my ERAS, before any of my LORs were available, and I think I got about 4 interview invites within the first week. Thus those who apply earlier will often get a better choice of interview dates.

Best of luck to you!

 

[InternationlDoc]

Awesome. Thanks for the response hippie.

 

[Ash MD]

Sorry if this this seems like a silly question....but

I have submitted the CAF portion of the ERAS app for fellowship.

When you try to select programs to apply to, it says something like "check the box next to the program"-but there are no boxes and says they are not taking applications yet.

When do we get those boxes come up so we can check them?
When does NRMP allow us to register for the fellowship?

Thanks in advance.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

When do we get those boxes come up so we can check them?
When does NRMP allow us to register for the fellowship?

It totally depends on what type of fellowship you're talking about.

If you're talking about the usual IM fellowships, then you can apply to fellowships on Nov 15th. You're a bit early! 😀 These are on the "December Cycle".

Some fellowships (including Geriatrics) are on a July cycle -- and you can apply to them starting July 15th, which has gone by already, so I assume you're interested in the Dec cycle.

All of the fields and the cycle they are on are listed here.

Match dates are also field specific. You should check the NRMP website.

 

[Ash MD]

Thanks for the info aPD.

Planning for Nephro with the December cycle.

Appreciate the help.

 

[Nicholaus]

My LOR's still haven't been uploaded to ERAS. My question is: If I apply anyways on Sept 1st without having any LOR's with my app, can I still be rejected for not having a complete application with the required 3 or 4 LOR's? Should I wait until mid-Sept when ERAS has all of my LOR's uploaded before I apply?

Thanks.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

My LOR's still haven't been uploaded to ERAS. My question is: If I apply anyways on Sept 1st without having any LOR's with my app, can I still be rejected for not having a complete application with the required 3 or 4 LOR's? Should I wait until mid-Sept when ERAS has all of my LOR's uploaded before I apply?

Thanks.

You should apply and send letters when available. If programs want LOR's before they will review your application, your app will simply stay "in limbo" until the letters arrive, and then will appear in their Review filter.

The only exception to this is to make sure that if you have an "important" letter, that it arrives first/early. Let's say you are getting 3 letters. One is outstanding, the other 2 are OK. If the 2 OK letters arrive, there is some chance that the program will choose to review your application with only those 2 letters, and (perhaps) you would get rejected where with the third letter, you would get an interview.