Heme/Onc Letter of Recommendation Question

[Hassler]

Trying to get prepared for the application......

In terms of letters of recommendation,
1) Are there any heme/onc programs that specifically want a letter from a medicine ward attending (in addition to the PD's letter)? If yes, which ones?
2) Can I pick and choose which letters to be sent to specific programs? For example if I have 5 letters on file, can I specifically choose on ERAS which 3-4 to send to program A, which 3-4 to send to program B.

Reason I'm asking this question is because I'm debating whether to ask a general medicine attending for a letter, in addition to my heme/onc letters. Don't want to waste someone's precious time if that letter won't be used. Also, if I do get this letter, I might not want it to be sent to each and every program, probably only to the ones that specifically ask for a general medicine letter.

Also, June 18 appears to be the first day when you can request a token. Does that mean applications can't be started prior to that date and no letters or mspe or usmle scores can be uploaded to ERAS until after that date?

Thanks. A lot of the fellowship programs' websites are still based on the old application cycle, which can be confusing.

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[gutonc]

Trying to get prepared for the application......

In terms of letters of recommendation,
1) Are there any heme/onc programs that specifically want a letter from a medicine ward attending (in addition to the PD's letter)? If yes, which ones?
2) Can I pick and choose which letters to be sent to specific programs? For example if I have 5 letters on file, can I specifically choose on ERAS which 3-4 to send to program A, which 3-4 to send to program B.

Reason I'm asking this question is because I'm debating whether to ask a general medicine attending for a letter, in addition to my heme/onc letters. Don't want to waste someone's precious time if that letter won't be used. Also, if I do get this letter, I might not want it to be sent to each and every program, probably only to the ones that specifically ask for a general medicine letter.

Also, June 18 appears to be the first day when you can request a token. Does that mean applications can't be started prior to that date and no letters or mspe or usmle scores can be uploaded to ERAS until after that date?

Thanks. A lot of the fellowship programs' websites are still based on the old application cycle, which can be confusing.

Unless otherwise stated, programs don't expect letters from specific people. You should have LORs from your PD, at least one Hem/Onc doc (preferably 2) and anybody you did research and published with. A great letter from a hospitalist or other IM generalist or specialist will be fine. My 4 letters were the PD, a Hem/Onc, an ICU doc and my PhD advisor.

And yes, just like with residency apps, you can send different letters to each program. So you can have 6 or 8 letters and just upload 3 or 4 to each program.

Finally, you can't do anything on ERAS until you get a token. Ignore dates on program websites right now unless it's clear they've been updated.

 

[Hassler]

Unless otherwise stated, programs don't expect letters from specific people. You should have LORs from your PD, at least one Hem/Onc doc (preferably 2) and anybody you did research and published with. A great letter from a hospitalist or other IM generalist or specialist will be fine. My 4 letters were the PD, a Hem/Onc, an ICU doc and my PhD advisor.

And yes, just like with residency apps, you can send different letters to each program. So you can have 6 or 8 letters and just upload 3 or 4 to each program.

Finally, you can't do anything on ERAS until you get a token. Ignore dates on program websites right now unless it's clear they've been updated.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Salvia202]

Hi all, bumping this thread if that's okay. I'm an intern (PGY1) MD/PhD applying via fast track this year, currently with a PhD letter and 2 onc letters.

Curious for that final letter, I'm wondering if programs would prefer to see a general medicine letter or a 2nd onc letter? The caveat is that 2nd onc letter would be from med school, but I have a great relationship with the oncologist.

 

[HaemOnculus]

It's not really who wrote the letter or what their credentials are, it's more of the content within the letter that counts. Send your strongest recommendations, something humanizing that makes you interesting.

 

[gutonc]

Hi all, bumping this thread if that's okay. I'm an MD/PhD applying via fast track this year, currently with a PhD letter and 2 onc letters.

Curious for that final letter, I'm wondering if programs would prefer to see a general medicine letter or a 2nd onc letter? The caveat is that 2nd onc letter would be from med school, but I have a great relationship with the oncologist.

Even though you're applying for fast-track, you're still applying to IM first. So I think you need a general IM letter, preferably from your SubI preceptor.

 

[Salvia202]

Even though you're applying for fast-track, you're still applying to IM first. So I think you need a general IM letter, preferably from your SubI preceptor.

Sorry to clarify gutonc, I'm an intern (PGY1) right now applying to fast track. Would you have any thoughts here?

It's not really who wrote the letter or what their credentials are, it's more of the content within the letter that counts. Send your strongest recommendations, something humanizing that makes you interesting.

Noted, thanks Haem

 

[CatFactorial]

It's not really who wrote the letter or what their credentials are, it's more of the content within the letter that counts. Send your strongest recommendations, something humanizing that makes you interesting.

Respectfully disagree here. Credentials and prestige of the letter writer can matter hugely for fellowship, particularly for academics.

A humanizing/interesting letter certainly helps though.

 

[Mehena]

I would recommend the GenMed letter from your current residency to touch on your preparation & fitness to be IM doc hence IM subspecialist.

Isn't the purpose of FastTrack to be guaranteed of automatic fellowship spot at your current residency? I didn't know one has to go through the match process again.

 

[gutonc]

Sorry to clarify gutonc, I'm an intern (PGY1) right now applying to fast track. Would you have any thoughts here?

I'd still have something gen med-y.

I did the same and had PhD advisor, 2 onc and one ICU attending as my LORs.

 

[Salvia202]

Thanks all.

I would recommend the GenMed letter from your current residency to touch on your preparation & fitness to be IM doc hence IM subspecialist.

Isn't the purpose of FastTrack to be guaranteed of automatic fellowship spot at your current residency? I didn't know one has to go through the match process again.

Thanks Mehena, I'll think about the gen med letter. Many programs guarantee a spot but people sometimes still apply out for various reasons (and some programs do not guarantee)

I'd still have something gen med-y.

I did the same and had PhD advisor, 2 onc and one ICU attending as my LORs.

Much appreciated gutonc, seems like wisdom here suggests a gen med letter over a second onc

 

[gutonc]

Thanks all.


Thanks Mehena, I'll think about the gen med letter. Many programs guarantee a spot but people sometimes still apply out for various reasons (and some programs do not guarantee)

Just for the record, I was one of those not guaranteed an internal spot (although I did ultimately get one) and I applied externally as well and went through the fellowship match as a short track applicant.