SLOR confusion

[JBlue]

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O.K. I am kind of confused about the SLOR. My school does not have an EM residency program so judging from what I have read on this forum that means I MUST rotate through an academic program in order to obtain an SLOR. What exactly is that? I know it is a letter of rec but is it specifically from a program director? Does a letter from the Chief of EM at my school's hospital count? If not, then will I get intereviews w/o an SLOR on file (i.e. if I rotate through an academic program but not until Oct. or Nov. of senior year)? I am kind of confused because none of the seniors at my school who are interested in EM have mentioned that we MUST rotate through an academic program. One guy I know isn't even doing his first EM away until Jan. 2007 but he is still planning to match in March. Can anyone clear this up for me?

 

[NinerNiner999]

Rotations at EM residency programs will help you, but they are not required (READ: they are highly recommended). Get a letter from your ED chairman if you can - it will help. You should also be doing an away rotation early in the year (too late now) at a residency program for a SLOR to be submitted in time.

The SLOR can come from anyone at the academic program, but a strong one from the PD would be the best...

 

[wook]

O.K. I am kind of confused about the SLOR. My school does not have an EM residency program so judging from what I have read on this forum that means I MUST rotate through an academic program in order to obtain an SLOR. What exactly is that? I know it is a letter of rec but is it specifically from a program director? Does a letter from the Chief of EM at my school's hospital count? If not, then will I get intereviews w/o an SLOR on file (i.e. if I rotate through an academic program but not until Oct. or Nov. of senior year)? I am kind of confused because none of the seniors at my school who are interested in EM have mentioned that we MUST rotate through an academic program. One guy I know isn't even doing his first EM away until Jan. 2007 but he is still planning to match in March. Can anyone clear this up for me?

Here's where the SLOR can be found....http://www.cordem.org/slor.htm. This site provides some information about it.



Wook

 

[deleted52758]

O.K. I am kind of confused about the SLOR. My school does not have an EM residency program so judging from what I have read on this forum that means I MUST rotate through an academic program in order to obtain an SLOR. What exactly is that? I know it is a letter of rec but is it specifically from a program director? Does a letter from the Chief of EM at my school's hospital count? If not, then will I get intereviews w/o an SLOR on file (i.e. if I rotate through an academic program but not until Oct. or Nov. of senior year)? I am kind of confused because none of the seniors at my school who are interested in EM have mentioned that we MUST rotate through an academic program. One guy I know isn't even doing his first EM away until Jan. 2007 but he is still planning to match in March. Can anyone clear this up for me?

i'd say rotating through october is ok to get the SLOR, november is pushing it, and january is definately too late. i think most PD's are looking for SLOR's. maybe BKN will respond and let you know what he's interested in.

 

[BKN]

i'd say rotating through october is ok to get the SLOR, november is pushing it, and january is definately too late. i think most PD's are looking for SLOR's. maybe BKN will respond and let you know what he's interested in.

I'll read new material through December, but I'm kind of a__l. Many programs want the apps done by early November so they can look at them once and 👍 or 👎 .

People without SLORS will get interviews, but I think they are at a disadvantage. If I've got a good SLOR from somebody or somewhere I know and trust, I'm much more positive.

Plus, it show me that the applicant has the ability to take charge of their fate and go out and do what they have to.

 

[Beantown D.O.]

If completed an internship and planning to apply for EM residency for PGY-1, do you recommend that I still obtain a SLOR?

Med school were years ago. I did a mandatory EM rotation late. It peaked my interest at that time. I didn't honor the rotation, since I wasn't well-read on EM. At the time, too late to obtain LOR. I ended up in a prelim internship. Now, that I've rotated through EM during internship, and can't imagine doing any residency other than EM... I will need LOR from EM physicians...

Since, the SLOR is an objective way to compare applicants, primarily medical students, how do I use this toward rotation during internship? What do I tell my letter writer?...most SLOR questions don't apply here... comparing an intern to a MS?

One program director told me that obtaining a SLOR is highly recommended, even after I explained my situation.

Can anyone else chime in? Thanks!

Beantown

 

[BKN]

If completed an internship and planning to apply for EM residency for PGY-1, do you recommend that I still obtain a SLOR?

Med school were years ago. I did a mandatory EM rotation late. It peaked my interest at that time. I didn't honor the rotation, since I wasn't well-read on EM. At the time, too late to obtain LOR. I ended up in a prelim internship. Now, that I've rotated through EM during internship, and can't imagine doing any residency other than EM... I will need LOR from EM physicians...

Since, the SLOR is an objective way to compare applicants, primarily medical students, how do I use this toward rotation during internship? What do I tell my letter writer?...most SLOR questions don't apply here... comparing an intern to a MS?

One program director told me that obtaining a SLOR is highly recommended, even after I explained my situation.

Can anyone else chime in? Thanks!

Beantown

Get a SLOR regardless. In your case we are comparing a intern to an MS4. Or are we? you say medical school was years ago. If you mean that you did a prelim and then did time in service or something like that, a more recent report of your activities is appropriate.

 

[Beantown D.O.]

Get a SLOR regardless. In your case we are comparing a intern to an MS4. Or are we? you say medical school was years ago. If you mean that you did a prelim and then did time in service or something like that, a more recent report of your activities is appropriate.

BKN,

As usual, thanks for the great advice! Looks like I'll obtain a SLOR. Would it be appropriate for the EM faculty to write "N/A" for few sections that truly don't apply?

Have you gotten SLORs from community EM physicians?

Right on the money...I am finishing my service obligation. What do you mean by - a more recent report of activities?... i.e. LOR from my Commanding Officer?...but i should still attempt to obtain a SLOR.

 

[BKN]

BKN,

As usual, thanks for the great advice! Looks like I'll obtain a SLOR. Would it be appropriate for the EM faculty to write "N/A" for few sections that truly don't apply?

Have you gotten SLORs from community EM physicians?

Right on the money...I am finishing my service obligation. What do you mean by - a more recent report of activities?... i.e. LOR from my Commanding Officer?...but i should still attempt to obtain a SLOR.

Yeah, what I meant is that the GMO or Flight Surgeons don't really fit into the SLOR mode since their rotations in medical school or internship were so long ago that often noone remembers them well. If somebody can write you a SLOR well and good. The rater can worry about what's applicable or not.

But if not, go for your C.O. In fact go for him anyway. If your C.O. or direct supervisor writes a letter saying you've been the personal physician for several hundred troops and their families, or you've been the man in a war zone, that's positive evidence of maturity, responsibility etc. And the nice thing about commanding officers - their troops are always superior. 😉

p.s. SLORs from community physicians are not counted for much. The form is specifically for Academics to compare applicants to other members of the pool.

 

[Beantown D.O.]

Yeah, what I meant is that the GMO or Flight Surgeons don't really fit into the SLOR mode since their rotations in medical school or internship were so long ago that often noone remembers them well. If somebody can write you a SLOR well and good. The rater can worry about what's applicable or not.

But if not, go for your C.O. In fact go for him anyway. If your C.O. or direct supervisor writes a letter saying you've been the personal physician for several hundred troops and their families, or you've been the man in a war zone, that's positive evidence of maturity, responsibility etc. And the nice thing about commanding officers - their troops are always superior. 😉

p.s. SLORs from community physicians are not counted for much. The form is specifically for Academics to compare applicants to other members of the pool.

Thank You! Much clearer now with SLORs 🙂