This is going sound exceedingly frustrating but there's no right answer to do this. Some residencies actually like when that letters all come from faculty in the specialty you're applying to (i.e. Surgery and its specialties) while there's alot of leeway with others… by that I mean that similar specialties don't mind getting letters from each other (i.e. Medicine letters for a Family Med residency)
So here are a couple of ideas of who you might approach..
1) The Chair of the Specialty (from UB) of the residency you're going into - the only mandated letter in almost all programs
2) Physicians from Third Year
3) Physicians from Fourth Year sub-i's/electives
4) Physician Mentors in Med School/clubs/shadowing etc.
As far as obtaining them… that's another strategy that I wasn't very good at… anybody have thoughts about that?
In choosing letter writers, I think a little bit of luck and a little bit of charisma on your part can go a long way. Number one, choose ppl that seem to have their "shit" together. If you're attending takes forever during
rounds, seems to be a little unorganized, new at the job….they might be a little weak on the letter writing. Those attending that were solid on rounds, were vocal and even intimidating…in my opinion…are the best
ones to get to write a letter for you namely because they'll hand it in quick and generally they'll write very well on your behalf. Obviously if you felt like the attending didn't like you….then don't ask that person. Also
don't be afraid asking too many….it's way better to ask too many than too few. You have complete control over which programs receive which letter. Another helpful tidbit….you can't tell until you pay for eras which
letter writers submitted letters. Once you pay for eras and send it away, you can see who has sent letters in……definitely send in eras even if all of your letters are in. You can also call Philippa and ask her if your
letters are in. Don't do this too much however, she and the rest of OME (Dr. Neilsen) will remember if you are a frequent flyer.
(account deleted)Sycinnyc gave a nice summary of the various faculty that can write your LoR. Be sure to check the website of each program for requirements, including # of specific faculty letters and whether or not a chairperson's letter is required. I just want to add a few things:
- Sometimes a program director's letter is acceptable in place of the chair's letter; the point is to have a letter from someone who frequently writes & reads LoRs
- Students, including myself, have been hesitant to approach the Chair for a LoR if you have never worked with him/her. However, the protocol is to make an appointment with the Chair sometime in June, July, or August to discuss your CV and you interest in the specialty. Note that LoRs will be written on a first-come-first-serve basis. Thus, chairpersons are used writing for us!
- Even if a chair's LoR is not required for a particular program, I have been advised to still include this letter in additional to more personal letters, for the reason noted above: to have a letter from someone who frequently writes & reads LoRs
- If you did research and you are applying to an academic residency program, you should include a LoR from your research mentor. This is especially important if research is a significant part of your past/future and the program you have applied to is very research-oriented.
- Preferably, the LoR writer should be academic faculty rather than private physician.
- Currently, ERAS allows a maximum of 4 LoRs to be uploaded per program. If you have more than four LoRs, you can assign different LoRs to different programs.
