Which LOR would you send?

[sether52do]

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.....A generic letter from a big wig or a glowing letter from a private practice ophtho? I can't decide and don't want to make the wrong decision. Thanks

 

[GuP]

The glowing letter.

 

[4424]

how sure are you that the bigwig letter is generic and how sure are you that the other one is glowing? i'm not being sarcastic but it's important. names are huge in the small world of ophthalmology and you dont' want to be wrong in assuming.

i know i wasn't helpful but definitely think about how sure you are of those statements before making a decision.

 

[sether52do]

I'm not too sure, but I know the letter from the gen ophth is really strong. How are we able to check "I waive access to this letter" when every applicant reads their letters anyway? The registrar told me the letter from the big wig was "short, but positive." Oh, and that would be 2 letters from the same institution. Is this a bad idea?

 

[V05]

Can't you send both letters? How many ophtho letters do you have?

It's pretty standard to send 2 ophtho letters and one other letter (i.e. Medicine) through your primary application.

Most programs will also accept an additional letter if you want to send it directly.

 

[sether52do]

I have 4 letters. Two are from gen ophtho's in private practice and the other two are from the same institution, and I've already decided to send one of these two letters, just trying to settle on a 2nd letter. It's ok to send 2 letters from the same away rotation? Thanks

 

[JMK2005]

I have 4 letters. Two are from gen ophtho's in private practice and the other two are from the same institution, and I've already decided to send one of these two letters, just trying to settle on a 2nd letter. It's ok to send 2 letters from the same away rotation? Thanks

So you have 2 private ophthalmologists, and 2 from an away rotation in ophthalmology??

Where are the non-ophtho letters?

I would say send in the big wig, and hopefully the other 2 private letters should be good.

 

[fatman41]

You all seem to be implying that they will even read your letters. I can't tell you how many times I walked in there and they had not even looked at my file. I would go with the big-wig b/c at times the most attention your file will receive is them flipping through your CAS file, looking at who wrote your letters, and assuming they are good. Be realistic, how much attention would you physically be able to give each application if you had clinic, teaching and research responsibilities on top of having to interview applicants? Sorry to say it, but the world is a bit of a good ole boys club, and it helps to have someone write a letter who is a member of the club. Regarding private letters, have them mail the letters directly to the program where they did their residency. This will provide name recognition at that institution that might not be available nationally to separate you from other applicants. They might be a member of "the club" at their home program, whereas they would not be on a national scene.

 

[sether52do]

Sounds like good advice. I will send in the 2 letters from the same ophtho institution and the one non ophtho letter. Thanks all.

 

[V05]

You all seem to be implying that they will even read your letters. I can't tell you how many times I walked in there and they had not even looked at my file. I would go with the big-wig b/c at times the most attention your file will receive is them flipping through your CAS file, looking at who wrote your letters, and assuming they are good. Be realistic, how much attention would you physically be able to give each application if you had clinic, teaching and research responsibilities on top of having to interview applicants? Sorry to say it, but the world is a bit of a good ole boys club, and it helps to have someone write a letter who is a member of the club. Regarding private letters, have them mail the letters directly to the program where they did their residency. This will provide name recognition at that institution that might not be available nationally to separate you from other applicants. They might be a member of "the club" at their home program, whereas they would not be on a national scene.

They do read the files, espcially the screeners and during the committee meetings. Some of interviewers may appear unfimiliar with your file because, as you have suggested, there are so many applicants and it is very difficult to know all the files well on interview day.

Letters from academic ophthalmologist do carry more weight. The academic community is not very large and the academicians will value the opinion of letter writers who are reputable or writers whom they have met at meetings or know personally.

You should still send your glowing letter from the private ophthalmologist directly to all of your programs.

 

[sether52do]

Sorry to bring this thread up again. The two letters from academicians I'm planning on sending are from the same institution. Is this a bad idea? Thanks.

 

[GuP]

Sorry to bring this thread up again. The two letters from academicians I'm planning on sending are from the same institution. Is this a bad idea? Thanks.

No one can truly answer that for you. It all depends on the person analyzing your app and on their perception. Moreover, I think the quality of the letter along with the credentials of the writer will carry more weight i.e. a letter from a chair and PD from the same place saying you will cure blindness will look good. I have seen plenty of upper years apply with letters from the same institution - I don't think it should be looked upon as negative.

 

[ckyuen]

send both, many times they will associate what is said in the glowing letter, with the letter from the big wig if they are from the same institution.