How important is it to have a Pathology LOR when applying to Pathology residency programs? I am applying this year but have no LOR from Pathologist because I do not have a Path elective scheduled until Oct after applications are due. Will my application even get looked at? Should I not bother applying without a pathology LOR?
Pathology Residency LOR
- Thread starter doctorKAT
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Of course your application will be looked at. LORs are not screening criteria like board scores and where you went to med school. It does help, but is by no means a dealbreaker.
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Helps but probably not the most important part of your application. Things have changed since I trained though. Nowadays a lot of students don't even have lab or use microscopes. So if you want path experience at all you may have to do an elective.
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It's probably okay in the short term (through Matching) but you should have some kind of experience going into interview season, even it's ancillary shadowing or laboratory work. Pathology has a problem with losing residents who weren't exposed to the field beforehand and therefore regret their specialty choice. You don't want that to you during residency.
