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Reference letters


Guest McMastergirl

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Guest McMastergirl

I have all sorts of questions about reference letters...

 

1. When do you ask for them?

 

2. Can you ask the same person for a letter for each of a couple different specialties? eg psych and family

 

3. How important is the "reputation" of your referees? (ie, should you pick a well-known person over one who knows you better?)

 

Any help would be much appreciated!

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Guest UWOMED2005

Hey McMaster girl,

 

I'm still at the preclerkship stage but this is what I've heard. I'm sure Ian and Carolyn have way better information to add or correct me with!

 

1) One of our 4th years just recently told our class he wished he had started asking for letters right from the first day of clerkship. Some/a lot of Docs are used to this. . . in fact, some might offer before you ask (so I've heard. . . haven't experienced it myself!)

 

2) I think so. Don't know whether it would be better to ask for a generalized letter or two directed at the each of the specialties. Might be best to get a feel as to how the clinician would respond to such a request. . . I think the issues is how they'd perceive such a request. (ie a super nice advisor who sees the Match as a game with rules you have to play by, versus a clinician who likes to play by the rules and would find that kind of activity inappropriate.)

 

3) My impression is that above all else make sure you get good to glowing reference letters!!! Negative or even lukewarm reference letters can really torpedo your cause. I think a glowing letter from a moderately well known doc or a specialist in the same field not well known is better than a poor letter from the residency program director. . . but that a glowing letter from the residency program director is better than the glowing letter from not-so-well-known docs.

 

Once again. . . I'll reiterate I'M NOT IN 4TH YEAR, NOR EVEN IN CLERKSHIP YET. This is what we were told by our 4th years. Ian or Carolyn would know way better than I on this subject.

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Guest McMastergirl

Thanks! I would agree with everything you said. I have already asked one clinical supervisor for a letter, and he said yes... but I told him I'd get in contact with him when I start my applications. However, maybe I should get him to write it now? That way I am still fresh in his mind?

What about asking for letters from people you worked with a while back? I did an elective (more like an observership) with a great lady for 6 months (one morning a week) back in early 2002. I don't think she could really comment on my clinical abilities though...

 

Mcmastergirl

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Guest Ian Wong

The absolute best way to go about this is to ask for the letter immediately after finishing your rotation. At this time, you should have an up-to-date CV prepared, and if you're keen enough, perhaps a short letter describing what you're intending to go into and why.

 

This will give your referee the opportunity to use things in your CV and letter to back up what they write about you in your clinical duties.

 

Then, ask them to save an electronic and paper copy, and if your Dean's Office allows it, have them send a copy to the Dean's Office for archival purposes as well. Later on in the year, you can then re-contact your referee, and if there's additional things on your CV since the original letter, they can update it accordingly, but this way you'll guarantee that you've gotten a letter when you were still fresh in their mind, and the chances of your letter getting delayed are much less (referees tend to get inundated with requests around CaRMS time, so if your's was already written up several months ago, and only needs fine-tuning, then you're well on your way).

 

Also, big names are good, but only if the letter is also equally good. Otherwise, you want a great letter above everything else. (My opinion only).

 

As far as one prof writing for two specialties; generally not a problem, but obviously depends on the individual and how much of a relationship you have with him/her The bulk of the letter will be essentially the same, discussing your strengths, experiences with the referee, stuff from your CV, etc. The only difference might be a couple of lines at the end essentially saying: "I would certainly recommend this individual as an excellent candidate for a residency in XYZ..."

 

Ian

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