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Accruing LORs

The document provides guidance on letters of recommendation (LORs) for residency applications. It emphasizes that LORs are important and outlines tips for selecting letter writers and crafting strong LORs. A good LOR comments on accomplishments, fund of knowledge, ability to work with others, and teachability. A great LOR is from someone with direct knowledge of clinical skills, provides anecdotes of patient relationships, and is from someone connected to programs of interest with academic titles. Samples of good and great LORs are included to demonstrate these qualities.

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212 views7 pages

Accruing LORs

The document provides guidance on letters of recommendation (LORs) for residency applications. It emphasizes that LORs are important and outlines tips for selecting letter writers and crafting strong LORs. A good LOR comments on accomplishments, fund of knowledge, ability to work with others, and teachability. A great LOR is from someone with direct knowledge of clinical skills, provides anecdotes of patient relationships, and is from someone connected to programs of interest with academic titles. Samples of good and great LORs are included to demonstrate these qualities.

Uploaded by

sam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Letters of Recommendation

LORs are one of the most important parts of your


residency application. The following information will
help you as you collect and choose the LORs you will
use to support your residency candidacy.

Letters of Recommendation
Tips:
Have a resume for your letter writer
Have a personal statement for your writer
Ask the writer if s/he feels comfortable writing a strong LOR
Use the ERAS cover letter to indicate your FERPA choice
Enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard to have the letter
writer send to you when s/he finishes writing your LOR.

Letters of Recommendation
How do I choose an LOR? Choose based on
The LORs you actually have
Someone who has seen you in action
The person who gave you a high grade
Letter writers who have connections
Letter writers in your preferred area of specialty
Letter writers with academic titles
Letter writers from late in your 3rd or early 4th year

Letters of Recommendation
What does a good LOR look like?
(Good LORs make up about 65% of all LORs received)
Mentions your accomplishments as described on your resume
Comments on your good fund of knowledge
Comments on your ability to get along with patients and
coworkers
Comments on your teachability

Letters of Recommendation

Sample good LOR:


Dear Program Director[M1],
I am pleased to recommend Karen Pomeroy as a candidate for medical residency. She completed her family medicine rotation with me in
the spring of 2006 at Warren Hospital. In this capacity I was able to observe her on a few occasions.[M2]
Karen is an accomplished student, and is a very well-rounded individual. She is a graduate of Penn State University, and has completed
research in the field of Alzheimers. At PCOM she is involved with the American Medical Student Association, the Student Osteopathic
Medical Association, and the Sparkle Motion club [M3].
Clinically, Karen has a good fund of knowledge, and is above her peers in her ability to apply knowledge to clinical situations[M4]. In her
short time here she rapidly improved on her ability to formulate a differential diagnosis and devise an appropriate plan of action for the
patients she encountered[M5]. Karen is a great team player, and she was able to develop a rapport with even our most difficult
patients[M6].
Karen is a caring and intelligent individual. I trust that she will develop into a highly competent and dedicated intern[M7], and as such I
recommend with her without reservation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lilian Thurman, D.O.
Chairman, Division of Internal Medicine at Warren Hospital

[M1]Addressed to Program Director.


[M2]Mentions that recommender was only able to observe applicant on a few occasions.
[M3]Recommendation based largely on resume information, not personal contact.
[M4]Comments on student fund of knowledge.
[M5]Comments on teachability: will this person be able to learn and develop as a resident?
[M6]Comments on persons ability to get along with others.
[M7]Shows confidence about student developing into intern.

Letters of Recommendation
What does a GREAT LOR look like?(~35%

of LORs)
(Great LORs make up about 35% of all LORs received)
Everything that a good LOR has, and more
Written by someone who has first-hand knowledge of your skills
Comments on your ability to form relationships with patients
Gives anecdotal evidence to support recommendation
Written by someone who has connections to a program you are
interested in, and/or someone who has several academic titles

Letters of Recommendation

Sample great LOR:


Dear Program Director[M1],
It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Joel Barish to you, as he is one of the best medical students that I have had rotate through my practice in years.
Joel recently completed a one-month rotation with me in my clinic. During this time, he was under my direct supervision[M2 ], and I was able to observe him
closely and often. I find that my clinic is often an extremely demanding rotation for many medical students[M3]. Joel clearly demonstrated that he was up for
the challenge. He worked hard to absorb as many skills as he could, and by the end of the rotation, was performing at the level of my best interns.
Joel has a friendly, easygoing personality and a mild demeanor. He displayed exceptional maturity and possesses outstanding skill at quickly forging
relationships with her patients and coworkers [ M4]. His interpersonal relationships are so well-developed that there were several patients who requested to
see that new doctor rather than me for their follow-ups.[M5]
His clinical fund of knowledge is well above that of his peers, and his ability to make a differential diagnosis improved during his time here. I have no doubts
that his skills will flourish during his residency years[M6]. Early on Joel made clear his interest in Internal Medicine, and I was greatly pleased to hear of these
residency ambitions.[M7] His professional curiosity about the field and his ability to perform at such a high level only strengthens my confidence in giving
him the highest recommendation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Howard Mierzwiak, D.O
Chairman, Division of Internal Medicine
Core Director, General Internal Medicine
Rockville Centre College of Osteopathic Medicine [M8]

[M1]Addressed Dear Program Director.


[M2]Written by someone who has first hand knowledge of your skills.
[M3]Mentions that the recommendation is made based on his performance in a challenging situation.
[M4]Comments on your ability to form relationships with patients.
[M5]Gives anecdotal evidence to support recommendation.
[M6]Comments on teachability.
[M7]Mentions interest in a specific residency path: not always applicable, if you cant commit to one field.
[M8]Written by someone with academic titles.

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