Protocol for additional LORs for fellowship SF match?

[TJ1010F]

I was wondering what the protocol is for LORs one may have beyond the 3 submitted through the central SF match system.

I assume it is reasonable to email each program and ask if they would accept additional LORs. I am also assuming these would all be through direct emails to whoever is listed as the contact on the SF match program description by your LOR writer.

A couple of questions I had:
1) Is the time to do this immediately when you submit your SF match application to the program or only if you have been granted an interview?
2) How many is too many additional LORs to send? I believe I would have 6 in total (3 through SF match and another 3 on hand)
3) Some programs state they specifically want a chair or a chief or a PD LOR if it is not included in the 3 that are sent through SF match. Is it "kosher" to submit 3 letters that do not include the specifically required ones through SF match then have the "required" letters sent as additional ones?

Thanks a lot

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[Eyeball Tickler]

Want to know about this too

 

[martianmonster]

I think you should submit your 3 strongest letters, regardless of whether they are from PD/chairman/etc. and if you need to submit a mandatory one after that then so be it.
Not all programs will accept additional letters and you want to make sure every program has the opportunity to see your strongest letters.

 

[Eyeball Tickler]

Do all 3 letters need to be from your current residency? i.e., can they be from a research mentor from before residency?

 

[AQ888]

I think SF Match specifically states that one of the three letters has to be from the program chair. That is how I understood it.

 

[AQ888]

Taken from the FAQs section of the fellowship application page from SF Match:

-HOW DO I SUBMIT MY LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION?

You may request your letter writers to upload the letters of recommendation directly into the SF Match system. Go to the Documents page in your SF Match account and select LOR. Click the Request button, enter the letter writer’s contact information to submit the request. An e-mail will be sent from SF Match to the author including a hyperlink that allows them to upload the letter of reference in .pdf format into the SF Match system. After you have submitted the request to the authors, remember to follow-up with them directly to ensure they have received the e-mail from SF Match and are able to upload the letter. One letter must be from the chairman and one letter from a subspecialist.

 

[TJ1010F]

Anyone have some additional thoughts on the timing of sending the additional LORs in?

 

[DrZeke]

I think you should submit your 3 strongest letters, regardless of whether they are from PD/chairman/etc. and if you need to submit a mandatory one after that then so be it.
Not all programs will accept additional letters and you want to make sure every program has the opportunity to see your strongest letters.

Agree. In my experience additional letters are pretty useless. Phone calls/emails from people they know go a long way. And if they don't know your people...well then just do your best.