When do you request LORs for residency?

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During your third year, when do you request LORs from attendings? My preceptor made it seem like you request them when you're starting to apply to residency programs, but I've heard others say that you request them when you're on that rotation. Then if you get a bad one, you just toss it out and ask for another one at the next rotation.

 

[durty]

if you get a bad one, you just toss it out and ask for another one at the next rotation.

LORs for medical school were confidential, I remember signing something saying I'd never read them; is this not still the case for residency LORs?
-durty

 

[cgk]

During your third year, when do you request LORs from attendings? My preceptor made it seem like you request them when you're starting to apply to residency programs, but I've heard others say that you request them when you're on that rotation. Then if you get a bad one, you just toss it out and ask for another one at the next rotation.

When is the absolute latest that a letter of recommendation can be sent via ERAS? Sept? Oct?...

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

LORs for medical school were confidential, I remember signing something saying I'd never read them; is this not still the case for residency LORs?
-durty

Yes it is still the case; you are usually expected to waive your right to see them.

The above advice doesn't make much sense; you should only ask for a LOR if you are confident that the attending will write you a strong one.

 

[G-Man82]

At my school, some asked for letters during 3rd year rotations, but the majority ask during 4th year during their first couple of electives. That's my plan at least. Usually we waive our right to see them. ERAS allows up to 4 letters to be sent to an institution, so you can ask as many as you want, but only 4 can go.

 

[smq123]

During your third year, when do you request LORs from attendings? My preceptor made it seem like you request them when you're starting to apply to residency programs, but I've heard others say that you request them when you're on that rotation.

No need to think about LORs until (at the very earliest) January of your 3rd year. If the LORs come from early in 3rd year, most people won't really count them - it's most likely not a good assessment of your potential as a resident.

You usually get them in the beginning of your 4th year, when you're sure of what specialty you'll be applying to. The LOR writer is, generally, supposed to tie your capabilities as a student/future resident to the demands of your future specialty. Plus, each specialty has different requirements for who may write your LOR, etc.

Usually we waive our right to see them.

There shouldn't be any "usually" about it - if you don't waive your right to see them, some programs may even throw them out. It's considered a HUGE red flag if you don't waive your right to read your letters.

When is the absolute latest that a letter of recommendation can be sent via ERAS? Sept? Oct?...

Programs will upload new information from your ERAS app regularly - many will update their files daily. They usually stop doing this after your dean's letter (= MSPE) goes out, though, which is almost universally on November 1st. So, probably late October.