# of days in OR for LoR?

[SplenoMegastar]

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How many days of working with a surgery attending is a reasonable number of days to ask for a letter of recommendation for residency? Assuming they seem to really like you. Would ~8 OR days and 2 clinic days over a month long sub-I be ok? On a service with 3 attendings. Thanks in advance.

 

[tiedyeddog]

How many days of working with a surgery attending is a reasonable number of days to ask for a letter of recommendation for residency? Assuming they seem to really like you. Would ~8 OR days and 2 clinic days over a month long sub-I be ok? On a service with 3 attendings. Thanks in advance.

IMO, yes that would be more than enough. Even if you only had 3-4 days, but actually scrubbed in and got face time during those days, it would probably be enough.

 

[Dave89]

How many days of working with a surgery attending is a reasonable number of days to ask for a letter of recommendation for residency? Assuming they seem to really like you. Would ~8 OR days and 2 clinic days over a month long sub-I be ok? On a service with 3 attendings. Thanks in advance.

The bolded content is the most crucial. As that is the case, I agree with tiedyeddog; it's sufficient.

EDIT: With that said, you should bear in mind that a shorter period of acquaintance often translates to a shorter LOR. Hopefully, this attending knows how the LOR game works.

 

[SplenoMegastar]

The bolded content is the most crucial. As that is the case, I agree with tiedyeddog; it's sufficient.

EDIT: With that said, you should bear in mind that a shorter period of acquaintance often translates to a shorter LOR. Hopefully, this attending knows how the LOR game works.

Thanks. On most services here the attendings operate twice a week so in a month it seems hard to spend much more time with them than 2 OR days per week and an occasional clinic day.

 

[PL198]

The bolded content is the most crucial. As that is the case, I agree with tiedyeddog; it's sufficient.

EDIT: With that said, you should bear in mind that a shorter period of acquaintance often translates to a shorter LOR. Hopefully, this attending knows how the LOR game works.

how would they not? Like I never understand how these people lose their ability to rationally evaluate a situation that they once took part in. Makes no sense.

 

[Dave89]

how would they not? Like I never understand how these people lose their ability to rationally evaluate a situation that they once took part in. Makes no sense.

It's weird, but it definitely happens.

 

[deleted500612]

how would they not? Like I never understand how these people lose their ability to rationally evaluate a situation that they once took part in. Makes no sense.

A lot of these dinosaurs graduated med school 40 years ago when the dynamic was completely different from today, I guess I can see how they might underappreciate how competitive it has become and how important strong LoRs are to get a good residency when they could virtually just check a box on an application form and get whatever residency they want. I also wouldn't be surprised if a lot of attendings simply don't give a sh|t.

 

[BrooklynBulls]

how would they not? Like I never understand how these people lose their ability to rationally evaluate a situation that they once took part in. Makes no sense.

If you're asking how is it possible that a surgeon does not understand or subscribe to polite societal norms, then let me explain: some surgeons do not understand or subscribe to polite societal norms.

 

[operaman]

I don't think there's a set number, but you'll probably have a gut feeling. Don't forget that you will be talked about a lot behind your back and the residents and other staff you work with will definitely have a lot of sway.

I would also suggest making some time to sit down with your letters writers 1 on 1. Just email them and ask for a set time to talk for 15-20 minutes. Sometimes OR and clinics are pretty busy and it's not always easy to have a great conversation. I've seen some people trying to over-connect in the OR or be too chummy in clinic and it never makes them look good. I think this probably stems from the perception that showing up prepared and just being cool and quiet and professional won't make an impression and they won't know how awesome you are. Making a 1 on 1 appointment gets you some real uninterrupted face time and frees you up so you don't overcompensate in other settings.

 

[Morsetlis]

I feel like you should always have a 15 min chat outside of a patient care area before asking for an LOR...