LORs

[lizzybmd]

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Hey all,

Two questions regarding applications:
1) Is an August preceptorship cutting it too close for an LOR (assuming all goes well, of course 🙂) if I'm applying this fall?

2) I know most programs specify having 3 LORs - could they all be ophtho letters, and more importantly, should they be? I know people recommend one medicine letter but if you could get three letters from ophtho faculty that are probably going to be stronger than the medicine one, should you still do a medicine one?

Thanks!

 

[Kashf Oyoun]

As far as how late is too late, I would say July. Especially if you already have two ophtho letters and don't really need a third! If you have no ophtho letters, August will have to do, right?

These are the combinations of letters that are often recommended:

1 medicine, 1 surgery, 1 ophtho
1 medicine or surgery, 1 ophtho, 1 ophtho research (my chair recommended this)
1 medicine or surgery, 2 ophtho

3 ophtho letters is rarely if ever recommended

A 4th letter as a supplement may be an additional ophtho.

By the way, if you've managed to rack up three strong ophtho rec's that's pretty impressive, and you should probably be telling all of us how one manages that.

 

[alleyesonme]

1) Is an August preceptorship cutting it too close for an LOR (assuming all goes well, of course 🙂) if I'm applying this fall?

The target date for applications is the end of August, beginning of September. You could possibly have the attending write the letter towards the end of the rotation, but it would be cutting it close. Your question depends on how much you need it. If this is a big wig and you feel confident that the letter will help you substantially, you may consider it. However, be advised, the attending would have to complete the LOR in a short time to avoid holding up your app. Ideally, try to complete your ophtho rotations by August to give you some breathing room.

2) I know most programs specify having 3 LORs - could they all be ophtho letters, and more importantly, should they be? I know people recommend one medicine letter but if you could get three letters from ophtho faculty that are probably going to be stronger than the medicine one, should you still do a medicine one?

I have not heard of someone sending 3 ophtho letters, but that is not saying that it has not been done. Try to solidify 2 strong ophtho letters, the "bigger and badder" the better. Then shoot for getting one from an attending from a clerkship or sub-I (medicine or surgery). I honestly think that it is important for programs to see that you are a personable and hard-working individual across all disciplines, not just ophtho.

Good luck!!

 

[cme2c]

It really depends on the letter writer. Some are really slow at writing letters. I would recommend you have at least 2 ophtho letters. When I interviewed, I had 2 ophtho, 1 medicine. I had a couple interviewers comment that something along the lines that they didn't put much faith in them if they didn't know the person. So if you can get 3 ophtho letters, I would.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

How about three ophtho letters plus a medicine or surgery letter as a supplement?

 

[artificialtears]

I thought that the SF Match application only allows you to submit 3 LORs? How can you add an additional 4th letter?