At my institution, we are given a composite SLOE at the end of our rotation. Would it also be appropriate to ask faculty with whom I've worked several shifts to also write me a SLOE or would it be better to ask for a regular LOR from said faculty? Any advice would be much appreciated.
SLOE vs. LOR from individual faculty?
- Thread starter Dr.CCM
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SLOEs are meant to be a composite letter from a program director or medical student director. It would mean less to have one from just a faculty member, especially if programs you are applying to know that particular program uses SLOEs. It would look like you didnt get a good evaluation and are trying to cover it up.
That said Personal LORs are good to submit from individual faculty. SLOEs are more useful coming from the program.
Submitting 2 good SLOEs from 2 separate programs is even better
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i think he means getting the SLOE from the rotation and then asking for individual letters or additional SLOEs from attendings he works with. im in the same boat and plan on asking for individual letters.
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I'm only doing 1 EM rotation at my school. I can get 1 SLOE, but what do I do about the other 2 letters needed for most programs? Random docs I've worked with?
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And how do u guys suggest to go about asking for that extra LOR. Seems like u only work w an attending a couple times if ur lucky and it's almost impossible to know if u will work with them again, would an email suffice? I also find it impractical to ask for a letter of rec in front of all the other residents students and attendings gathered around and it's not too often to have 1 on 1 contact time. What is a good way to do this? I worked with an attending 3x he knows me now but if I don't work with him again ?
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I think they should have left it SLOR instead of changing the name to SLOE... How do you say that, is it SLOW, or SLOW E... regardless...
Just restating what was said above, the SLOE should ONLY be from an Academic EM Program and preference would be a 'collective' interpretation of your rotation, likely written by the Program Director with you 'eval' written as a sum.
IF there are particular faculty you jive with, I would get a written regular LOR from them. SOME PDs have openly said they 'ignore' anything that is not (was) a SLOR... but I still think there are many people out there that WILL look at them with respect...
Just restating what was said above, the SLOE should ONLY be from an Academic EM Program and preference would be a 'collective' interpretation of your rotation, likely written by the Program Director with you 'eval' written as a sum.
IF there are particular faculty you jive with, I would get a written regular LOR from them. SOME PDs have openly said they 'ignore' anything that is not (was) a SLOR... but I still think there are many people out there that WILL look at them with respect...
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1. It's bad form to ask for a LOR via email. That's something you do only if you absolutely have to. Taking the time to come and find us just before or after one of our shifts shows initiative. I understand that sometimes it's just not possible, but email requests for LORs are so... impersonal.
2. Bring a copy of your CV, your ERAS cover sheet, and maybe a personal statement. Don't ask us during a shift, unless it's really really slow and we're all sitting around surfing the internet. Before a shift is good, but sometimes we take the papers and stuff them into a bag and then forget about it. Right after a shift is probably best (unless I'm trying to run out the door to get home for something).
3. Say "Hey Dr. Bob (unless their name isn't Dr. Bob, in which case call them by their name). I enjoyed working with you these past X shifts. As you know (because if by this point I didn't know you wanted to go into EM then the letter isn't going to be very good) I want to go into EM. I am putting together my application package for residency interviews and I was hoping you would be able to write me a strong letter of recommendation." And the conversation should flow from there.
Yes, one of the downsides of EM is that you might only work with an attending 2 or 3 times during a month, but that's anywhere from 16-36 hours of continuous interaction (versus on a medicine floor where you might only interact with the attending for an hour each day during rounds, but it's 30 different days). You should check the attending schedule early on in the month; if there's someone you had a particularly good interaction with find out when your schedules overlap so you can ask them on the last day you work together. Don't ask me for a LOR on shift #2 if we still have 3 more shifts together.
This seems to be the trend of advice this year for some reason.... But I had 1 SLOR from my program and one from an attending (yes, a SLOR, not a LOR) and it was never mentioned to be a problem.... On the other hand, people with only 1 SLOR and 1 or two more EM LORs seemed to have a more difficult time getting interviews. I think if you can get an attending to write you a SLOR, then get a SLOR because it is much easier to read from a program standpoint and much easier to write from an attending standpoint.
Just my 2 cents.
