Clinical Rotations

Asking for letter of recommendations may seem intimidating, but if you show your hard work, dedication, and commitment to your rotation, showing you are a strong candidate, the doctors are more inclined to want to write a letter on your behalf. During your rotation, show up early, take care of your patients, take the initiative, and follow up on your patients throughout the day, be an excellent student. If you are assigned patient notes or assignments, hand them in on time. If you are asked for evaluations from residents, the writers may account for the comments and feedback.

Ask In Person

For students who travel all over for rotations, my tip is that in the last week of your rotation, ask for it in person before leaving that rotation/location. Then follow up with all the doctors you requested in an email around July/August. Give them enough time to write the LOR because they are asked to write dozens of letters.

Prepare Your CV/Personal Statement

Most writers will ask you for your curriculum vitae and personal statement to utilize and include personal details in your letters. Prepare and have them ready early on to send to them.

Letter Request Form

On June 28, you will apply and receive a token; you must create individual letter request forms for the writers, including (my personal suggestion) your personal statement and curriculum vitae, in the email. I have attached a template requesting the letter of recommendation.

Things To Keep In Mind

For IMG students, consider that the writer must submit it to ERAS, but ECFMG must approve it and then upload it to ERAS. This can take up to 5-10 business days. So, ASK EARLY.

You can upload up to four letters per program, but I suggest having backup writers. I had a few colleagues whose writers had agreed to write for them but didn’t get the letter in time.

It’s also suggested to have two letters from the specialty of your choice.

Some specialties and/or programs require a Department Chair letter; do your research to include that letter.

Conclusion

That concludes the first residency preparation series! More to come in the upcoming weeks and months; subscribe to the blog for updates and weekly newsletters that will begin in the next few weeks. Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest, whatever social media you use! I’m personally more active on Instagram.

Thank you all so much, and best of luck.