anyone apply IR without an academic IR letter?

[weasel23]

has anyone in this year's application cycle had success with applying IR without an IR letter from an academic program? My DR program is smaller and does not have an IR fellowship, so I can only get a letter from a community IR physician. Would this require me to do an away to get at least one letter? Thanks!

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[IRorBustguy]

you will 100% need an away/IR letter. my academic stats are ok, but my IR letters really set me apart and was constantly mentioned during interviews. the IR/DR pathway is new and the PDs really want committed applicants. There is objectively no way for them to determine this unless you are vouched by an IR doc, preferably at an academic program.

another way to put this - why would a PD consider you if you don't even have enough IR experience to get a letter?