Radiology LOR

[Radiologist in Training]

As a 3rd or 4th year medical student looking for references during a 2 week radiology elective, I noticed that radiology electives are very passive on the student's part. The Rads read images at blazing speeds, and do procedures that are very difficult for a medical student to get involved in.

 

My question is how is a student supposed to get a "excellent" LOR at the end of a rotation when the rotation is so passive?

 

I asked the Rad I was with, and he says that these electives by their very nature are very passive on the student's part. All you can do is show interest and ask questions (but not too many otherwise you can be annoying).

 

Any thoughts? Experiences?

[Lactic Folly]

It's difficult as you say. Try to establish a more substantial relationship, as by finding a case report or project to work on with your potential referee.

[tooty]

It's tough to find preceptors who have enough time to teach learners beyond the preceptors' commitments to their case load and residents. But they do exist. Find one/two at your home school and find ways to put in time on a regular basis. In this time you should show that you're interested, reading, and learning. One good radiology letter is often enough.

[Radiologist in Training]

I have a 2nd question: what kind of reference letters do radiology schools like to see?

 

I was thinking about giving 3 LOR as follows:

2 radiology letters

1 radiation oncology or Internal(end of 3rd year) or Surgery Letter(end of 3rd year letter) - any opinions on which field is best for a letter assuming all letters are equally good.

 

I could probably also get letters for Pediatrics, but I feel that would be irrelevant to Rad schools. Thoughts?

[Lactic Folly]

What the letter says about you is more important than where it is from. That being said, some people like to see letters from what they consider tougher rotations to do well in - IM/Surg/Obs. Go for strongest letter regardless though.