More LOR advice sought

[Pike]

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All along I've been strategizing/planning as if the 4th late LOR would be an option. Since it is not - here is my situation: I have letters secured/pending already from 1 community ophthalmologist who also happens to hold a faculty position whom I have worked with and know very well, and one from IM. For my third I'm split - I can't decide if I should ask a junior ophtho faculty member whom I know fairly well and who has been very complimentary about the research I have done with him vs. trying to secure a letter from a well known ophthalmologist who I will be working with for just a few weeks. I won't get to know him exceedingly well during this time, but rumor is that a letter from him has the potential to open some doors. Both the junior faculty and the more well known ophthalmologist are in the same dept. Alternatively the thought crossed my mind that I could have the junior faculty write one, and perhaps (of course pending permission of all parties) supply the senior faculty member with a copy to be incorporated in his letter...perhaps kind of like an informal committee letter or something. Is this ever done, or would it be a bad move to even suggest the idea? Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[lilybriscoe]

Hi Pike,
If you will be working with the "well-known" ophthalmologist before the application deadline, I would wait to see how you guys get along and then, if you do get along, ask for a letter from him/her. In the meantime, ask for letters from the others, then they'll be ready to go. I submitted my application last year with two just-in-case letters sitting on my coffee table ready to go that I did not end up sending.
My impression is the most important things about ophtho letters are as follows:
1. Minimum (and most important): 1 optho, 1 core + one whatever
2. GOOD letters so programs will feel they are not taking a chance with you.
3. Letter from a good, well-known and liked ophthalmologist (this is truly the icing on the cake ... and who likes cake without icing?) and it had better be at least pretty good, otherwise you've jeopardized your chances.
So ask this famous dude/dudette when you work with them (if you're not sure) if they will write you a good letter. If you are sure, just ask them for the letter. The latter is what I did and it worked out great. I also didn't happen to know he was well-known at the time, so perhaps some of the faculty you already know fit this category.

Good luck!

Lily

All along I've been strategizing/planning as if the 4th late LOR would be an option. Since it is not - here is my situation: I have letters secured/pending already from 1 community ophthalmologist who also happens to hold a faculty position whom I have worked with and know very well, and one from IM. For my third I'm split - I can't decide if I should ask a junior ophtho faculty member whom I know fairly well and who has been very complimentary about the research I have done with him vs. trying to secure a letter from a well known ophthalmologist who I will be working with for just a few weeks. I won't get to know him exceedingly well during this time, but rumor is that a letter from him has the potential to open some doors. Both the junior faculty and the more well known ophthalmologist are in the same dept. Alternatively the thought crossed my mind that I could have the junior faculty write one, and perhaps (of course pending permission of all parties) supply the senior faculty member with a copy to be incorporated in his letter...perhaps kind of like an informal committee letter or something. Is this ever done, or would it be a bad move to even suggest the idea? Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[diopter]

The name-game is huge in such a small field like ophtho. Ask the well-known ophtho dude "As you know, I am applying for ophtho residency this year. Do you feel that you know me well enough to write a STRONG letter of support?" If dude-man says yes, then you're good to go.

It's always worth asking, and you may be pleasantly surprised... one of my recs was from a HUGE ophtho lady with whom I spent 2-3 hours each Tuesday over just 1 month. She said yes, I emailed her my CV/PS, and the letter was ready in 2 days. I was told by interviewers that it was a great and very enthusiastic letter.. (BTW, the key phrase that makes or breaks a rec is "... and I am strongly supporting Pike's application at my own program.")

Your idea of getting the big-wig to "co-sign" the junior faculty's letter is ok, but it'd just be simpler to write a thorough-yet-concise/short CV and PS, that any letter writer could use as ammo for a stellar letter... given those, the letter will pretty much write itself... summary of PS/CV + the key phrase of support + signed by a recognized, well-received ophtho-backer = kickass LOR

g'luck

 

[Spyder007]

Just my quick thoughts....

I definitely agree with the previous post that a big name carries a lot of weight. When I was on the interview trail, many times I heard "so you worked with Dr. Big Shot? You know he trained me/trained with me, and since he liked you well then I just had to meet you." I worked with a faculty member with whom I spent 30 minutes with twice week. He still cranked out a great letter based on the words of others in the clinic. Definitely do not be afraid to ask if they can write a STRONG letter of rec. Use that exact phrasing. You may think, "well woudn't everyone just say yes?" These are academic ophthalmologist and have been doing this stuff their whole lives. If they can't write a strong letter, most will just say so. I've heard phrases used like, "well, I would be happy to write one but I'll need to be honest." Also, if you don't honor the rotation, they may not have liked you assuming it's a rotation that everyone usually honors. I feel you can take most profs at their word.

And yes, I've been told that a key thing that committees look for is how favored you are for a position at your own school with comments like "so and so gets my highest recommendation for a spot in our program," or something similar.

Good luck to all.