What to do with major error in LoR

[21CentSouldier]

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So I just got notified by my family that my LoR that uploaded a week or 2 back has me in the opposite sex, ie. the letter writer wrote me as a female instead of a male referring anywhere there should be a 'him' as a 'her.' I sent this letter out to my top programs and now i feel this really hurt my chances. I've emailed the letter writer as he's not in office till Tuesday probably and plan to call ERAS to try and work this out. Is there anything I can do at this point?

 

[HoldTheCoffee]

... what? Why does your family know what's on your LOR? Also, I'm not sure if it's a good idea to be calling around if you waived your right to see the letter since you calling programs to explicitly address something in a letter that you technically weren't supposed to see might raise additional red flags.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I see Him/her confusions all the time. Usually, it's because the letter is typed by a secretary, who looks at the name and guesses. I don't really consider it a major issue. Understand that there isn't really a way to "fix" it. If the letter writer fixes the letter and uploads it again, it will be appended to the prior letter.

 

[thecampuslegend]

So I just got notified by my family that my LoR that uploaded a week or 2 back has me in the opposite sex

yes, seconded - did your family get a phone call from one of the programs asking your gender or do they work in the dean's office or is your dad a program director and he saw your LOR when going over your application and was like, "WTF is my son doing behind my back?" Interested to know the story.

And no, it's not a big deal if you are a mixed up he/she on a LOR.

 

[C5toC9]

Is it common for secretaries to write the LORs? Do the attendings just give them a couple bullet points and the secretaries write it out?

 

[21CentSouldier]

... what? Why does your family know what's on your LOR? Also, I'm not sure if it's a good idea to be calling around if you waived your right to see the letter since you calling programs to explicitly address something in a letter that you technically weren't supposed to see might raise additional red flags.

I was transitioning to move to a different area and had to have the letter sent to the permanent address. So naturally my dad saw the letter and told me it was written in feminine 3rd person/object pronouns. My rights are waived, but they sent the letter to my permanent address regardless.

I never called any programs. I had one program leave a message on my phone asking to talk about my 'application,' so I can only assume that they want to speak to me about this issue come Tuesday. 🙂

And thanks for the information aProg. I really appreciate taking your time to answer my question.

 

[21CentSouldier]

yes, seconded - did your family get a phone call from one of the programs asking your gender or do they work in the dean's office or is your dad a program director and he saw your LOR when going over your application and was like, "WTF is my son doing behind my back?" Interested to know the story.

No, my dad isn't that awesome. 🙂

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Some people dictate letters. And, some people have a template, and it's easy for the sec to choose the wrong one. I am not a fan of templates, for this exact reason.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Some people dictate letters. And, some people have a template, and it's easy for the sec to choose the wrong one. I am not a fan of templates, for this exact reason.

Yep.

One of my residency faculty used a template for my fellowship application; fortunately, his secretary showed me the letter and I noted someone else's name in the body of the letter and had it changed before it was sent out.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Yep.

One of my residency faculty used a template for my fellowship application; fortunately, his secretary showed me the letter and I noted someone else's name in the body of the letter and had it changed before it was sent out.

Seen this happen as well. Our PC showed us a LOR this year where it had the correct name in the opening paragraph, wrong name in the concluding paragraph.