when is the PD letter needed?

[cali-ob]

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Hey,
I am a current resident in Ob, reapplying this year for FP... I know that sometimes a letter from your current PD is needed, but at what point do I need that? Is that something that programs will ask for? Should i have my PD write one and have it uploaded on ERAS, or does that come during the interview process? Any advice from anyone who knows would be appreciated.

thanks

 

[Winged Scapula]

Depends on the program. Most will ask for it if they invite you for an interview and they are serious about you, but if you have a letter you can upload to ERAS which supports your application I see little reason not to include it then.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You should definitely include it now as one of your LOR's. When I am looking at transfer residents, one of the first things I look for is the PD letter. If it's not there, it's a red flag -- either you ran into trouble and don't think it will be a good letter of support, or you can't get your stuff together to get your application submitted. Either way, it's trouble.

 

[Poety2]

You should definitely include it now as one of your LOR's. When I am looking at transfer residents, one of the first things I look for is the PD letter. If it's not there, it's a red flag -- either you ran into trouble and don't think it will be a good letter of support, or you can't get your stuff together to get your application submitted. Either way, it's trouble.[/QUOTE]

Thats harsh!

 

[Winged Scapula]

Good to know, aPD!

 

[Poety2]

You should definitely include it now as one of your LOR's. When I am looking at transfer residents, one of the first things I look for is the PD letter. If it's not there, it's a red flag -- either you ran into trouble and don't think it will be a good letter of support, or you can't get your stuff together to get your application submitted. Either way, it's trouble.

What if they don't get it in til late?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Better late than never.

Then again, early bird gets the worm.

 

[cali-ob]

Wow,
ok thanks. My PD knows that I am switching already and she is being very supportive so I don't think it will be a problem. I will send her an e-mail today though. Should her letter just be a summary of the rotations that I have done thus far and what i will do this year, or should it also talk about the type of resident i am??? I mean we've never worked together, how would she know. I was going to have one of the attendings that I work with regularly in clinic write me a letter as well, but I don't want to end up with too many letters. Would the PD letter be considered in the "four letters" category, or is it ok to have fifth letter if the fifth is the PD letter?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Wow,
ok thanks. My PD knows that I am switching already and she is being very supportive so I don't think it will be a problem. I will send her an e-mail today though. Should her letter just be a summary of the rotations that I have done thus far and what i will do this year, or should it also talk about the type of resident i am??? I mean we've never worked together, how would she know. I was going to have one of the attendings that I work with regularly in clinic write me a letter as well, but I don't want to end up with too many letters. Would the PD letter be considered in the "four letters" category, or is it ok to have fifth letter if the fifth is the PD letter?

The PD letter is one of the four.

Because your PD gets to see all of your evaluations, they can write a summary letter for you -- similar to the MSPE / Dean's letter in medical school