Non physician LOR

[cowbydoc]

Does anyone know if programs will care if you have a LOR from a professor at your school? I am applying to ER residencies and the professor I did research with wrote me a pretty good LOR but I don't know if programs will care since it is not from a physician and will probably be an extra LOR, i.e. #4 out of a requested 3. Thanks for any help.

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[Seaglass]

Is the research EM related? If so, and you are applying to research intense programs, then send it as a fourth. If not then skip it.

 

[doc05]

it's probably a waste of time. ER is very clinical, and they want to hear from attendings etc. what you've done in a lab is irrelevant.

 

[amdap]

it's probably a waste of time. ER is very clinical, and they want to hear from attendings etc. what you've done in a lab is irrelevant.

It doesn't really require much "time" - just a click of a button to add it to ERAS.

I requested 6 LORs total - and I had 1 LOR from a non-med school research mentor. It was probably the best letter I got (though I am not exactly sure what my letters said.) I did add it, even if a program did not ask for it. I got all my interviews, so as far as I can tell, it didn't hurt me.

You may want to ask someone in EM, though. Not sure if it would be a strike against you, if you would be perceived as annoying or not following the rules, etc. - as it relates to EM.

good luck

 

[doc05]

It doesn't really require much "time" - just a click of a button to add it to ERAS.

yes, it does require much time. remember that each program gets a couple hundred applicants...if you were reviewing applicant files, how would you feel about those who decided to add in unnecessary letters?? it adds up to MUCH time..

 

[Seaglass]

BS doc '05 - if they're interested enough to interview you they'll read the letter. I sent 4 letters to all my programs and got all my interviews so I doubt that it hurts you. I just doubt that this particular letter will add much to the application.

 

[ears]

If the research was during medical school for six months or more, approximately full-time, then yes, definitely include a letter. If it was for two months or less, or less than full-time, or before medical school, then don't include it. If it's in between, you need better advice than you'll find on SDN to help you figure it out.