LOR Question

I can't answer your question about multiple letters from the same group, but I thought it was pretty much established that everyone should strive to have all Uro letters.

You should have all uro letters if possible.I would just go ahead and get the letters if they offered to write them, get them sent in to eras and worry about which ones you use for your applications later.

uroguy wrote:

You should have all uro letters if possible.I would just go ahead and get the letters if they offered to write them, get them sent in to eras and worry about which ones you use for your applications later.

 Good advice above. I believe this topic has been discussed at length in old posts. You may want to peruse the forum and find it. But the general consensus is that Urology is a small world where people know people, therefore, you should try to get all Urology letters. With that said, if you truly have an attending in a different field that knows you well and can truly write a strong letter about your character, motivation, and performance then that shouldn't be dismissed either in leu of having a mediocre at best, letter from some Urologist be it well known or not. So use your judgement, collect as many letters as you can, and decide later which ones you will use for what applications.  I used 3 Urology letters and a 4th Gen Surgery letter, because I worked with an Attending whom I became very close with. This surgery rotation was at a hospital that just recently let go of their residency program so I was one on one with the attending. We worked together nearly every day for a month. During that rotation, I was at the hospital late one night and got consulted for a pt we needed to see that morning in the ICU. I went ahead and saw her, as I was already at the hospital, and discovered she had an acute abdomen that somehow slipped through the cracks. After my H&P, looking through all the records/charts, talking to nurses, I decided to call my attending up at like midnight-1am and explain the findings. I'll never forget his first words to me, "Girl, is there anyone there more educated than you that will vouch for what youre telling me? I mean, youre telling me that 2 physicians saw this lady and no one described her abdomen in one note?" I said "Yes sir and I'm sorry but I  just have this feeling something  isnt right." At that moment he said something I hope I'll always remember when I become a Urologist/Attending, he goes, "Dont  ever say you're sorry for calling me if you are concerned or have questions about a patient that you can't answer. Thats what you're supposed to do. You can always call me at any time if you think there is an emergency and you don't know what to do. Dont ever NOT call me and try to figure it out yourself. Thats where you kill people". Needless to say, thanks to God for giving me the insight, we took her to surgery and she had dead gut. She even made it through!Probably way more info than you wanted to hear, but THAT surgeon I had write me a LOR. He could vouch for my potential as a future surgeon and he knew me very well. Letters like that you can't NOT submit.Best of luck!

I have an LOR question.  Is it a problem if I don't have any one at the end of third year that would write a solid letter?  I only had a two week uro rotation, with mostly resident interaction.  I think I need the time during my AI next month to get to know the faculty better before asking for a LOR.  I could ask some non-uro attendings; and the letters would probably be good, but I don't think their letters would carry any weight.  My student affairs dept has me worried because they said early match students should already have some letters lined up now.

Anonymous User wrote:

I have an LOR question.  Is it a problem if I don't have any one at the end of third year that would write a solid letter?  I only had a two week uro rotation, with mostly resident interaction.  I think I need the time during my AI next month to get to know the faculty better before asking for a LOR.  I could ask some non-uro attendings; and the letters would probably be good, but I don't think their letters would carry any weight.  My student affairs dept has me worried because they said early match students should already have some letters lined up now.

 You don't have anyone that has written you a letter? If that is the case I would suggest asking away...you should ask every doctor at the end of EVERY rotation, it is always better to have choices than not have anything. For instance, I have like 6 letters from this past year and few uro letters, and while I can't read them because I waived my right to see them, the student affairs office can advise which ones they might use--helping me pick out my best 3 or 4 letters.Seriously, ask the docs you have worked with. I have yet to have a doctor tell me no, they all know how this works and were in the same shoes as you at one point. Good Luck!

I think its no big deal that you dont have letters yet. I didnt at this point last year. Just make sure you're doing some uro rotations in the next couple months and you'll be fine.

Anonymous User wrote:

...I can't read them because I waived my right to see them, the student affairs office can advise which ones they might use--helping me pick out my best 3 or 4 letters...

 To my knowledge you are simply signing a form waiving your federal law-granted right to review the entire contents of your educational record, specifically the LOR. It is perfectly legal for your letter writers to show you their letters if they feel so inclined. I got to help write one of mine and the rest were shown to me during the interview trail.