What's The Consensus On This?

[clement]

---

Members don't see this ad.

If you have three LORs in, 1 from your desired field, 2 from other fields, and bam, you get an interview...then would it look desperate if you sent in a fourth letter IN YOUR desired field after the interview invite? Say the fourth LOR is a solid one.

 

[Winged Scapula]

If you have three LORs in, 1 from your desired field, 2 from other fields, and bam, you get an interview...then would it look desperate if you sent in a fourth letter IN YOUR desired field after the interview invite? Say the fourth LOR is a solid one.

Why bother? If you got the interview with the additional letter, I'm not sure what it would add to your application unless it says something like, "ignore how clement acts during the interview. He is really socially awkward during these things but will perform like a star grade A prime resident."

I don't think it looks desparate but I also don't see that it would be worth anything. You can always have it uploaded to ERAS and if they need more proof that people in your field really really like you, then you can have it assigned to the program.

 

[Ludicolo]

Ooh… I get to disagree with WS. 😀

In this situation I actually think another strong letter in your desired specialty can only serve to help you. It’s not desperate. If the rotation that generated your new LOR was done recently (after your ERAS submission), it gives the program and interviewers up to date info about your clinical performance they didn’t have before. If the LOR is written by someone well known in the field, it might cause interviewers to grant you some extra prestige points – which could end up boosting your ranking.

 

[senseiturtle]

It MAY help you.
It MAY hurt you, if the letter isn't very favorable towards you.


In the end, it probably doesn't matter. As long as everything goes smoothly, the program will likely rank you. WHERE they rank you probably depends mostly on OBJECTIVE data (scores, gpa, etc) and the interview impressions, moreso than personal statement/letters/etc.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Ooh… I get to disagree with WS. 😀

In this situation I actually think another strong letter in your desired specialty can only serve to help you. It’s not desperate.

No disagreement there. As long as the letter is strong, it shouldn't hurt. Will it help after he's already shown his stuff on interview? Debatable. But eh go ahead and send it in unless they expressly say "no more than 3 letters".

But you are allowed your dissenting position Dr. Ludicolo.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

to piggy back ...

This is to the attendings who posted:

What if you received an interview invitation at your top spot, are complete in terms of the 3 LORs, app, etc. and are just waiting on the MSPE. However, you are currently auditioning at this program, and you did research with a prominent faculty member but in a different field (this faculty member is in a surgical field, and I'm going into anesthesiology). He offers to write a letter, this would be the 4th LOR ... the 5th you hope to attain from this audition "away" rotation ... would the 4th LOR be irrelevant or would that only serve to strengthen your application? I know the 5th LOR would help (IF I'm able to pull it off, that is). One of the faculty members today said the program commonly receives 4-5 LORs from applicants ...

Thanks for the help!

 

[Ludicolo]

to piggy back ...

This is to the attendings who posted:

What if you received an interview invitation at your top spot, are complete in terms of the 3 LORs, app, etc. and are just waiting on the MSPE. However, you are currently auditioning at this program, and you did research with a prominent faculty member but in a different field (this faculty member is in a surgical field, and I'm going into anesthesiology). He offers to write a letter, this would be the 4th LOR ... the 5th you hope to attain from this audition "away" rotation ... would the 4th LOR be irrelevant or would that only serve to strengthen your application? I know the 5th LOR would help (IF I'm able to pull it off, that is). One of the faculty members today said the program commonly receives 4-5 LORs from applicants ...

Thanks for the help!

Usually programs only want four LORs. I would clarify with the program coordinator if it’s ok – now that you have an interview scheduled – to update your app with additional letters. They’ll surely say yes. Then ask if you can send 2 additional letters, acknowledging that you’ve already submitted 3 LORs. If they say ok to 2, then send both. If they only allow you to send one more, you’ll have to decide which letter will carry more weight. Based on your post, seems like the anesthesia > surgical research LOR. But any additional strong letter won't hurt you.