Need LOR advice

[Feyer Feyeter]

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Hello all,

I'm in the process of setting up my 4th year schedule and I need some LOR advice before I proceed. I've been doing research for a year with one of the ophtho docs at my institution, along with a glaucoma Ph.D., so I know I can get killer letters from both of them.

My first question; should I ask for a letter from the Ph.D.? I know they don't normally write letters for med students, but I know it would be writen well. I'm also wondering if it might seem strange in the eyes of a program director for me to work with someone for a year and not have a letter from them.

Second question; is it appropriate for me to have letters from 2 Ophtho's, (along with the Ph.D. mentioned above) or is it necessary to score a letter from IM or surgery.

I hope that all that makes sense. Thanks for any input!

 

[doctortom]

You should definitely get a letter from the ophthalmologist that you've been working with. There are several PhDs that are very well known in the ophtho community so a letter from him/her would be great as well... The only issue is whether the PhD can add anything not already mentioned in the LOR that you are getting from the ophthalmologist. If the ophtho doc is has only worked with you on research but not in the clinics, it would make more sense to get a second letter from an ophthalmologist that can attest to your clinical skills. If however you worked with him in clinics as well, a letter from him and a second from the PhD sounds good. I think getting 2 ophtho letters and one IM/surgery/other letter is becoming the norm... I personally had 1 ophtho, 1IM and 1 surgery. Another option would be to get 2 letters from ophthalmologists, 1 IM/surgery letter and forward a 4th letter from the PhD to programs willing to receive another letter. Good luck!

 

[RestoreSight]

Hello all,

I'm in the process of setting up my 4th year schedule and I need some LOR advice before I proceed. I've been doing research for a year with one of the ophtho docs at my institution, along with a glaucoma Ph.D., so I know I can get killer letters from both of them.

My first question; should I ask for a letter from the Ph.D.? I know they don't normally write letters for med students, but I know it would be writen well. I'm also wondering if it might seem strange in the eyes of a program director for me to work with someone for a year and not have a letter from them.

Second question; is it appropriate for me to have letters from 2 Ophtho's, (along with the Ph.D. mentioned above) or is it necessary to score a letter from IM or surgery.

I hope that all that makes sense. Thanks for any input!

Obtain letters from members in the field you know best. Don't over-think it. If you worked with a researcher for a whole year on a project he or she should be able to speak to your strengths and scientific acumen with much more conviction than someone who you rotated with for only 6-8 weeks. That could go a long way towards helping you match at a top research-heavy program. If the two letters become redundant about how awesome a student you are more power to you. During interviews I was always surprised either how much or how little attention was paid to my letters. Some individuals would actively read each word and throw comments my way, while others would just read the first and last paragraph, and others still seemed to ignore them entirely. Think of it like this: If some interviewer with limited time and 40 other applications to read was to just pick up one of your letters and glance at a single sentence, you should do everything you can to make sure that sentence catches his or her attention. The only way to maximize your chances is with a strong letter.

I personally obtained a letter from our chairman who I knew well, a PhD in ophthalmology I worked with for years on various research projects, and a medicine letter. I can tell you right now that medicine letter was the weakest by far. I could have had 3 letters all from ophthalmologists, but this is generally discouraged. Good luck.

 

[Visionary]

I got letters from the ophthalmology chair, another department ophthalmologist with whom I rotated, and my dissertation adviser (a Ph.D. with whom I worked for 5 years). The latter was likely the most detailed and personal of all. Getting a letter from someone who can speak passionately about your strengths is always worthwhile, be it from a Ph.D., M.D., or D.O.