Get a Better Letter: How to Get the Best Letter of Recommendation for Medical School or Residency

COVID-19 continues to upend experiences for pre-meds and medical students, as well as the entire med school and residency application process, but certain truths do not change: Submitting outstanding letters of recommendation for medical school and residency is critical for a successful candidacy. 

I see some applicants mistakenly filling the slots with faculty letter writers without thought as to whether these letters will further the applicants' candidacies. See my After Rounds piece, "How to Submit Outstanding Letters of Recommendation for Residency." It is relevant for students applying to medical school as well.  

Tips for Applying to Residency in a Competitive Field

While our minds are currently focused on our changed world, first-, second-, and third-year medical students are still plodding along through classes and rotations (albeit virtually in most cases), preparing for an eventual Match Day.

For those planning to apply in competitive specialties like plastic surgery, otolaryngology, neurosurgery, interventional radiology, dermatology or orthopedics, among others, the calculus of what needs to be accomplished for a successful residency candidacy is very different and must be planned well in advance of the ERAS open date (maybe even before entering medical school).

Please check out my piece, "Luck Is When Preparation Meets Opportunity: Strategies for Competitive Specialties" for clear guidance on the needed steps. 

The Myriad Ways COVID-19 is Affecting Current Medical Students

I've covered the adverse effects COVID-19 has had on dental and medical school applicants, but medical students' lives have been altered even more extensively. See the piece I wrote, "An Entirely Different, Very Frightening March Madness" for many details. The day before the piece posted on the Wolster-Kluwer After Rounds site, the New York Times followed up on New York University's early graduating seniors.

How is COVID-19 Affecting Pre-Meds and Pre-Dental Students?

COVID-19 has upended everyone's lives, and I really mean everyone. Last week I mentioned some issues specific to pre-meds and pre-dental students. Here's an update:

MCAT cancellations: As of last Wednesday, April 1, the AAMC extended the cancellation of MCAT testing through the month of April. (Prior, AAMC had only cancelled the March 27 and April 4 administration dates.)

Inability to acquire enough clinical, research, or volunteer hours is worsening, as applicants who had expected to get more experience this spring are being told that only essential workers should report for duties.

As the recession worsens, there is a decrease in individual wealth, leading to an inability to pay AMCAS/ AACOMS/ AADSAS fees or apply to as many schools as had been planned.

Difficulty accessing letter of recommendation writers who are no longer on campus or are, understandably, distracted with their own disruptions will continue to be a problem. 

A lack of enthusiasm for medicine (or an increase in it, for some) may rise as the great risk health care providers are currently assuming is more newsworthy. 

I've had an applicant or two ask me if this year is a better year to apply - perhaps less competitive - because of the above. I really have no crystal ball on that issue, although it's an interesting question.

Keep safe and stay in.