Need advice on LORs

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Hello, applying ophtho this cycle Step 2 257, 6 pubs (3 first author, 3 of them ophtho related pubs), no home program; low tier med school. Needing some advice on letters, i have 2 ophtho letters and struggling about the 3rd. I have one IM letter from the PD at our program of which I got an H, unsure of the contents but we dont have any longitudinal relationship outside of the 2 month clerkship, though they took me aside to praise my clinical abilities before i asked them for a letter. Another option is a letter from my research mentor that i've been able to read that speaks highly of my character and as a researcher in a humanities centered field. Really struggling which letter to submit as my 3rd, would really strongly appreciate any feedback and help thank you🙂

 

[medschoolaspirant]

Ask your gut. Whichever letter can give you best chance irrespective of speciality. I had 2 ophtho letter. Home PD. Away PD. 1 Ophtho research mentor, where I had papers published. I had a stand by of one from my surgery rotation , in case anything didn’t come last minute. Matched my #1 choice, my away (different away, not one where PD wrote me a letter). So I will keep all 4. For last minute submission, just in case something doesn’t turn up (my home PD gave me lot of anxiety, as he sent letter one day before last day of submittal). But will submit one which give me best chance.

 

[eyeeye_captain]

Your ophtho letters are the bigger thing. I’ve said it many times, this is a small field where connections mean a lot. Even if I didn’t know your writers, it wouldn’t take much effort to get in touch with them if I like you on paper. I could rattle off a list of names where I would give you an interview almost automatically with a strong letter.

I agree that you should take your best guess on which other letter you think will be better. I suspect the research mentor will have a more personal one which is nice to round out an application, but it will depend on how much the program and application reviewer care about humanities-related fields if you’re looking for an additional bump.

 

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thank you everyone1