LORS observership vs externship

[RubberToes]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm in a dilemma and was wondering if anyone knew which one is better:

1) Observership at one of the very best medical institutes e.g. Harvard/Mass General with good LORs

2) Externship at a good but not top tier university hospital e.g. Cornell.

If the LORs are good does it still hurt you when PDs will read there was no direct patient contact? Although even with the observerships, I feel I will be able to demonstrate my medical knowledge and enthusiasm in discussions/answering questions.

Any insight/advice is appreciated.

 

[Smurfette]

Moving to Allo as this is a med student question.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

I'm in a dilemma and was wondering if anyone knew which one is better:

1) Observership at one of the very best medical institutes e.g. Harvard/Mass General with good LORs

2) Externship at a good but not top tier university hospital e.g. Cornell.

If the LORs are good does it still hurt you when PDs will read there was no direct patient contact? Although even with the observerships, I feel I will be able to demonstrate my medical knowledge and enthusiasm in discussions/answering questions.

Any insight/advice is appreciated.

You do realize that Cornell is considered one of the best institutions in the country for a good number of fields? This is like asking someone to compare A++ and A+ level institutions...

 

[RubberToes]

Moving to Allo as this is a med student question.

I'm a foreign medical graduate..

You do realize that Cornell is considered one of the best institutions in the country for a good number of fields? This is like asking someone to compare A++ and A+ level institutions...

I didn't mean it that way. I just mean good LORs without direct patient contact at a top notch university vs LORs with direct patient contact at an institution that's not top 5. I really don't know which would be better in the eyes of PDs and for the purposes of residency application.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Moving to NRMP/ERAS

 

[Winged Scapula]

I didn't mean it that way. I just mean good LORs without direct patient contact at a top notch university vs LORs with direct patient contact at an institution that's not top 5. I really don't know which would be better in the eyes of PDs and for the purposes of residency application.

There will be no significant difference in the way your LORs are evaluated between Harvard and Cornell. Assessing your clinical skills is difficult with an observership (I'm not sure what this "externship" being offered at Cornell is and how it is any different than an observership because without a medical license and/or malpractice insurance I'm not sure how you would be able to do anything more than observe) but its all every FMG before you has had.

Your concerns are misplaced as your USMLE Step 1/2/CS, ECFMG certification and visa status are the most important factors in even getting your application reviewed. Whether your letters are from Harvard observership or one at Cornell makes no difference.

 

[padastra]

It doesn't matter. Use whichever LORs you think will have better content.

 

[cognitus]

The difference between Cornell and MGH/Harvard is not significant at all. All that matters are that the LORs come from relatively senior people (no residents/fellows) and that the writers know you well. A letter writer from MGH who barely knows you is worse than a Cornell letter from someone who knows you well.