Question regarding "LOR" requirements

[traxxradiorocks]

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One of the programs I am planning to apply require a letter from the Chair, Program Director or Clerkship Director at your medical school.

Do I have to get the letter from my clerkship director or can I get a letter from this attending I work with (his title is Center Director for one of the subspecialty programs at the department)?

What do you guys think?

 

[Smurfette]

Depending on what specialty you are applying for, a letter from the chairman may be a requirement. However, for your example, one LOR HAS to be from the chair, OR the PD, OR the clerkship director. You can get an additional LOR from the attending you are working with, but it will not replace the one from the chair/PD/clerkship director they are requesting.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Yup she's right. If they require a letter from the chair, PD or clerkship director then you have to get one from one of those people. You can have other letters from other people (you can send up to 4 to each program via ERAS) but you are required to have one of those and if the attending you are working with does not have one of those titles it won't satisfy that requirement.

 

[kl323]

I'd like to revive this thread...

How does one approach getting a letter from the chairman? I know of programs that will require such a letter when I apply. However, I never had any contact with the chairman at my school when I rotated through that particular clerkship. I would imagine doing a 4th year elective/sub-I would be my last opportunity, but even with that, I'd assume it's pretty hard to have clinical time with these major admin people...