LORs for successful CaRMS

[MonkeyDLuffy]

Got a few questions about LORs for CaRMS to get a successful match:

 

1. When should one ask for reference letters? From my understanding, it is immediately after each rotation/elective. If this is the case, do you request that they write he letter first, and hold onto them till you start your CaRMS application?

 

2. Would it be better to get a LOR from someone who you have done research with or someone from a different specialty of interest during rotations/electives?

 

3. For ROAD programs that allow up to 5 reference letters, would it be disadvantageous to submit only 3?

[Lactic Folly]

1. Yes, mention your interest in getting a reference at the end of the rotation. It's up to the letter writer whether they want to write the letter right then and there, or just make some notes and write the letter when you follow up with them in the future. Experienced referees will already have their own protocol for doing things.

 

2. One would expect the research supervisor to be able to provide a perspective from someone who has worked with you over a longer period of time; however, someone from another specialty can also be helpful if they say how impressed they were with you and wished they could recruit you to their field. In any case, the primary objective is to get the strongest/most positive letter.

 

3. All other things being equal, 5 people being impressed with you is better than 3 people -- but you have to be sure the letters are all going to be equally strong. If you submit just 3 but reliably strong references, it shouldn't affect your chances of matching.