Letter of Recommendation Eras Doesn;t Want to Upload

How to get the all-time rec letters for medical residency, including a sample letter of recommendation for residency

THE ERAS LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION IS A CRITICAL PART OF YOUR MEDICAL RESIDENCY APPLICATION

Introduction

An important part of applying to residencies is getting physicians to vouch for your clinical skills. Over the course of medical school, y'all've likely developed some great relationships with doctors and professors who will be excited to write on your behalf. Merely when, how, and who exactly to ask can exist a challenge. Mayhap you've been diligent, requesting messages of recommendation from the beginning of your rotations. Or perhaps you're requesting letters of recommendation a few months earlier ERAS begins processing medical residency applications on September 15th.

Regardless of where you lot are in the process, you likely have questions similar:

• "I had skilful working relationships with a number of doctors throughout the last four years, but I never got to know any of them personally. How well does someone demand to know me in order to write for me?"

• "I have a good human relationship with Dr. Gupta, but she's spread thin and is known to write brusk, and non always warm messages. I don't know Dr. Braswell as well, but he has connections at Stanford, which is my ideal residency program. Who's the improve person to write for me?"

• "Should I go a recommendation letter of the alphabet from Dr. Lee? I don't think I did a stellar job when he was supervising my radiology rotation, but I'chiliad applying for a radiology residency and I feel like the two radiology-specific messages I have might not exist plenty."

• "One of my recommenders fell off the map. Will it be also late to submit their letter of recommendation if they get it to me next month?"

We've written a comprehensive guide to the ERAS letter of recommendation to answer these questions and more. Though letters of recommendation are one of the materials in the residency application process that you don't accept much control over, it's important to know as much about these letters equally possible.

In the NRMP's 2020 Program Director Survey, messages of recommendation were rated the second-almost important factor in selecting which candidates to interview, with 84 percentage of plan directors stating that they took messages of rec into business relationship. Additionally, letters of recommendation received an average "importance rating" of 4.3, on a calibration of one–five.

Why are these letters so significant? Because everything you lot've done upward to this bespeak on the route to condign a doctor has been more than or less academic—you lot've been in the classroom, studying, acing tests, and so on. Just now residency programs are hiring you lot as part of a chore application procedure. That's why references and testify of how you've worked with others are crucial.

This guide covers the ins and outs of the ERAS letter of recommendation to make certain that your 2d-most important application piece shines.

Click on whatever question below to leap directly to it.

• What types of recommendation letters for residency should I avoid?

• Should I ask for a residency recommendation alphabetic character in person or via email?

• How should I inquire for an ERAS alphabetic character of recommendation in person?

• How should I ask for a residency recommendation letter of the alphabet via email?

• When and how should I remind my recommenders to submit?

• Should my recommendation letters be addressed to specific residency programs?

• Will I be able to view my ERAS letters of recommendation?

• What should I include in my thank you notes to recommenders?

• What is included in a letter of recommendation?

• How many messages of recommendation do I need for the residency application?

• From whom should I request ERAS letters of recommendation?

• Exercise I accept to send letters exclusively from physicians working in my chosen specialty?

• When should I request letters of recommendation for residency?

• When is the ERAS letter of recommendation borderline?

• How many letters of recommendation should I send to residency programs?

• Can I send different messages to different residency programs?

• Does the MSPE count as a letter of recommendation?

• Does a department letter count as a letter of recommendation?

How many letters of recommendation exercise I need for the residency application?

You demand at least 3 letters of recommendation per residency, and you can submit up to four per residency. You tin can check school-specific requirements using the AMA'southward FREIDA database.

From whom should I asking ERAS letters of recommendation?

You should request letters of recommendation from those who have worked with you lot in clinical settings, know y'all well, and tin can persuasively articulate your strengths. Though three messages are conventional, you will want to ask for more than than three messages in case a recommender goes Chiliad.I.A. as the deadline to submit approaches or yous're concerned that one of your letter of the alphabet writers may not write a strong letter of recommendation. (It's worth mentioning: if you believe a author will not write you a strong letter of recommendation, ask someone else.)

We recommend requesting letters from iv–v recommenders for each specialty to which you program to apply.

Finally, yous want to make certain that yous've worked with the writers of your letters inside one twelvemonth of applying to residencies.

Do I have to send letters exclusively from physicians working in my called specialty?

No, you lot practise not have to send messages exclusive to your called specialty, simply you lot should have at least 1 letter of the alphabet of recommendation from a md in your specialty of choice. Ideally, you should have ii messages of recommendation from physicians in your specialty of interest, most probable attendings with whom yous worked on your rotations.

When should I request messages of recommendation for residency?

Y'all should request messages of recommendation at least one calendar month before September 29th. Ideally, you would request letters of recommendation at the very start of a rotation, peculiarly if you know it'southward a specialty you hope to pursue for residency. Though asking for a letter earlier you've even worked with a physician may seem counterintuitive, at that place are sure perks to doing so, including the following:

• Making your intentions clear since the beginning indicates to letter writers that yous take a strong and 18-carat interest in their specialty, and they can and then comment on this in your alphabetic character.

• Alphabetic character writers will brand a greater attempt to appraise your operation during the rotation, and their deep cognition of your functioning will come up across more than strongly in their letter than information technology otherwise might if you enquire them for a letter afterwards the fact.

• It will challenge you to perform your best during the rotation if you know from the commencement that your performance will exist included in a letter of the alphabet to residencies.

• It incentivizes yous to seek feedback on your performance throughout the rotation, which can both make you a stronger applicant and result in college quality letters.

All the same, it's understandable if y'all'd rather expect until later on a rotation is done to request a letter of recommendation, especially if you're interested in seeing the class you received in a rotation or elective before doing so. If you're uncomfortable or unsure nigh requesting a letter of recommendation from the offset of a rotation, you should request letters at the cease of rotations in which you lot've performed well. Just be sure that you lot've communicated the seriousness of your interest in that specialty well in accelerate of requesting the letter. If you lot accept this approach, you may have your letter writers salve the letter for you in their files or with an advising service at your school if available.

In addition, some attendings may offer to write you a letter of the alphabet of recommendation subsequently your rotation. If this happens, accept their offer. Even if you decide to submit other letters when you lot ultimately transport in your application, having that additional letter of the alphabet bachelor may help reduce stress if a writer is lagging on their submission. Plus, anyone who volunteers to write for you is likely pretty excited about your candidacy.

Finally, if you submit messages well in advance of the deadline, make sure to communicate with letter writers before they submit to have them update the dates on the letter and include any additional information, especially if you've fabricated contempo additions to your CV and certainly if you have a polished personal argument to show them.

(Further reading: The Platonic ERAS Timeline)

When is the ERAS letter of the alphabet of recommendation deadline?

Letters are accustomed throughout the application process, but you lot never desire to be the applicant who sabotages their match past submitting belatedly. And "late," in the case of the residency application, is September 29th, the offset day that ERAS sends applications to programs. Brand certain to communicate with your letter writers to upload their letters before September 29th to make sure yous're in the running for those early interview notifications. Many programs require that an applicant take a minimum of two letters uploaded before they will schedule an interview, which is yet some other reason not to miss the September 29th appointment.

How many letters of recommendation should I send to residency programs?

We recommend sending four letters of recommendation, fifty-fifty if iii is conventional. That additional alphabetic character, bold it's every bit potent as the others, volition make you lot a more competitive applicant.

Tin can I send dissimilar letters to different residency programs?

Yes. While you tin only send four letters of recommendation to whatever given program, ERAS allows you to store as many letters equally you'd similar and to pick and choose which letters you'd like to send to each program.

Does the MSPE count equally a letter of recommendation?

The Medical School Functioning Evaluation (MSPE), also known equally the Dean'south Letter, is one of the required materials y'all'll need to submit as part of your ERAS awarding. However, the MSPE does not count towards your four letters of recommendation.

Does a department letter of the alphabet count as a letter of the alphabet of recommendation?

Some residency programs volition enquire y'all to submit a "department letter" or "chair's alphabetic character," which is a letter of recommendation written past the chair of the section (i.due east. the specialty) you've chosen to become into. While department messages are oftentimes standardized, this letter does count every bit 1 of your four letters of recommendation.

Because many medical schools have an established protocol that facilitates the writing of department letters, first bank check in with your department's authoritative staff or your school'southward clerkship director. If no such protocol is in place, you lot can reach out to the department chair via email, adjusting the script given below, to request a meeting. It's okay if you have no prior relationship with the chair—they will exist familiar with the requirement and volition have written plenty of these letters earlier.

What types of recommendation letters for residency should I avoid?

Don't enquire someone with whom you have non worked closely to write you a letter of recommendation, even if they're superstars in their specialty—you lot'll fare better having a letter from someone who knows you well and can speak to your strengths in detail, even if theirs isn't the splashiest name in the field. Avert accepting letters of recommendation from writers who hesitate when you enquire if they can write you a "potent letter of recommendation." A lukewarm letter will reflect poorly on your potential.

Finally, consider fugitive letters from someone who is difficult to communicate with or unresponsive to your emails or requests to meet in person. This is not, however, a rule. Sometimes these people are flaky schedulers because they're passionate well-nigh their field and may nevertheless be able to write a strong letter for y'all. In other cases, though, these people tin can be scattered, which may touch their ability to write about your specific strengths. In borderline situations like this, it'due south better to asking more letters of recommendation in the upshot that one of your writers doesn't come through, rather than to count them out entirely.

Should I inquire for a residency recommendation letter in person or via electronic mail?

Ask for letters from professors in person whenever possible, and definitely if it's been a while since you've interacted with them.

Before yous ask for a letter of recommendation, prepare a packet for your recommenders that includes:

• Your CV or resume

• Your concluding or about-final personal argument

• Letter request grade from ERAS

• A biographical sketch including career goals

• Re-create of USMLE Step one and Step 2 scores if available

• Medical school transcript

How should I inquire for an ERAS letter of recommendation in person?

Below are email scripts you can utilise to suit an in-person meeting:

Word-for-word electronic mail script when planning to ask someone you know well in person

Dear [Professor/Physician's Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I'm applying to medical residencies in [specialty] this autumn and was wondering if y'all'd be willing to share your insights on the procedure. I've always valued your perspective and your guidance would be much appreciated as I brainstorm drafting materials. If yous are willing, please let me know when you would be bachelor to meet in person. Thanks for your consideration!

Best,

[Your Name/Last Name]

Word-for-discussion email script when planning to ask someone in person whom you lot haven't seen or spoken with in a while

Dear [Professor/Physician'due south Name],

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Proper name/Last Name], and I participated in your [rotation/elective/class] during [Semester/year]. I really enjoyed working with y'all and learning nearly [specific and accurate details about your experience]. Since nosotros last talked, [major update in your professional person life, i.due east. 'I did rotations in San Francisco in [specialty] and became certain I want to pursue [xyz].']

I'one thousand applying to residency programs this fall and was hoping you'd exist wiling to offer your perspective on the process. If then, please permit me know when you lot would be available to meet in person. Thank you lot for your consideration!

All-time,

[Your Proper noun/Final Proper name]

Additional guidance for asking in person

Whenever y'all meet in person with someone to request a letter, it'south important to let them know why you would value a letter from them. You lot'll want to explain why yous experience they are best equipped to speak about the specific qualities and experiences that would make you an fantabulous fit for the programs to which you are applying.

Don't be agape to asking that they highlight specific qualities and experiences in the alphabetic character. This volition work in your favor when the content of the letter of the alphabet confirms how y'all draw yourself throughout the rest of your awarding.

In one case a letter of the alphabet writer agrees to write you a letter of the alphabet, provide them with the materials mentioned earlier.

How should I ask for a residency recommendation letter via email?

Here is an exact email script you tin can utilise to asking a letter of the alphabet via email:

Word-for-word electronic mail script when planning to ask someone you know well via email

Dear [Professor/Physician's Name],

I hope this e-mail finds you well. I'm applying to residency programs this fall and was wondering if yous'd feel comfy writing a strong alphabetic character of recommendation. [Authentic sentence describing why y'all would value a alphabetic character from them (e.thou., why you value their perspective, which of your qualities they can speak to, etc.)].

If y'all're willing to provide a letter, I will provide the post-obit supporting materials: one) my CV, 2) a draft of my personal statement, 3) the letter of the alphabet form for ERAS, 4) a biographical sketch for more than context, 5) a copy of my USMLE scores, and 6) my transcript. Thanks for your consideration!

All-time,

[Your proper name/last name]

(Note: We have not included a script for requesting a letter via electronic mail from a professor who may not remember y'all considering you shouldn't enquire them for one.)

When and how should I remind my recommenders to submit?

Recommendation alphabetic character writers often procrastinate on submitting letters on time. Therefore, you lot should email them using the post-obit email script 2 to three weeks before September 29th:

Dear [Professor/Doctor's Name],

I promise this email finds you well. I plan on certifying my ERAS application by September 29th, so I wanted to send a reminder regarding your recommendation letter. Please let me know if in that location's any additional information I tin can provide.

Cheers over again for your support!

Best,

[Your Name/Last Name]

On meridian of this outset reminder email, feel free to ship additional reminder emails every one to two weeks if you don't hear dorsum from a letter writer. If you're unable to get a response via e-mail, call them. Just say you lot're aware information technology's a busy fourth dimension, simply you lot want to be certain nothing falls through the cracks.

Should my recommendation letters be addressed to specific residency programs?

No, this is not expected.

Will I be able to view my ERAS messages of recommendation?

You tin, but yous shouldn't. You should waive your right to read your messages. Not waiving your correct is a ruby-red flag.

What should I include in my cheers notes to recommenders?

Once a person submits a letter of the alphabet on your behalf, you can employ the following thank you annotation script to limited appreciation (personalize this withal yous'd like):

Dear [Professor/Physician'due south Proper noun],

Cheers again for offering your perspectives on the residency application process and for submitting a letter of the alphabet of recommendation on my behalf. I am very grateful for your guidance and support throughout this procedure.

I'll brand sure to inform you of whatsoever updates!

Best,

[Your Name/Last Name]

What is included in a letter of recommendation?

Here is a sample letter of recommendation for residency:

Dear Program Director,

I am writing in support of Ms. Rachel Armendariz for your residency program. I have 15 years of experience in pulmonary and disquisitional care medicine and a background in translational research. I worked closely with Ms. Armendariz during her third-year clerkship and during her pulmonary elective. In addition to her many accomplishments, Ms. Armendariz'south clinical abilities, leadership, advancement, and patient focus set her apart. I take observed Ms. Armendariz during workups, taught her in class, and I oversaw her clerkship.

Ms. Armendariz'southward excellence goes well beyond her outstanding USMLE scores. She is warm and engaged with patients and colleagues. In addition, she is capable of synthesizing new information. In part, this is a product of her meticulous training; before Ms. Armendariz had even encountered pulmonary edema, she had already assimilated the key points of responding to respiratory failure into a detailed affiche for our care team, ensuring even those new to the rotation could easily be brought up to speed.

Moreover, Ms. Armendariz has fabricated advocacy a primal part of her medical education. When she discovered that a series of arrhythmia pamphlets were available in English language merely, Ms. Armendariz communicated with the head of Cardiology about the lack of Castilian-language informational materials and fifty-fifty recommended a boyfriend classmate with translation feel to address the discrepancy. Her leadership in addressing gaps in care has prompted several positive responses, particularly during inpatient procedures. In fact, Ms. Armendariz'southward intuitive sense of patient needs made her an informal mentor to students entering the clerkship afterward she had finished.

Ms. Armendariz's skill too extends to research. She has designed a study on the effectiveness of auxiliary treatments during outpatient procedures to assist our hospital in providing more comprehensive care.

Ms. Armendariz is in the height 10% of medical students with whom I have worked in the last xv years. Her attention to particular, willingness to acquire, and well-rounded approach to patient care, including research blueprint and developing all-time practices, brand her an outstanding candidate for residency. I give her my highest recommendation for your program.

If you require any further data, delight practise not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Jackson Abrams, M.D.

cromptonthold1963.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/eras-letter-of-recommendation