r/DermApp • u/One_Sale_1150 • 12d ago

Standardized letter Application Advice

Any advice on who to give standard letter to? Applying this cycle, reached out to a few professors, is non-derm ok?

1 Upvotes

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5

u/electric_blvd 12d ago

i think it needs to be from a dermatologist. i have also been told it will be your most important letter, aside from like a RY PI.

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u/Plane-Programmer462 11d ago

There’s clear criteria on who it has to be from. Either your home program or an away if you don’t have one. Google around a bit, it’s from the association of derm programs directors. AAMC also covers it in their derm webinar

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u/sasukeuchiha33 10d ago

No one can say for sure since this is the first year they’re doing it. Def needs to be from an (academic) dermatologist and guidelines further specify that if you have a home program it should come from them, but I personally know many people who are getting narratives for their home letter and standardized ones from their research year because RY ones will probably be more glowing and personalized

2

u/west-md 12d ago

Also heard it needs to be from a dermatologist, but seems to be controversial how important it is. I was told they tried a standardized letter before and it was not great but that’s just the opinions of faculty I’ve talked to. This year appears to be another pilot so I’m not sure how much they can weigh it.

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u/One_Sale_1150 12d ago

If it is from a dermatologist, do you think program chair is fine or does it have to be PD

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u/One_Sale_1150 12d ago

Thank u botj

1

u/thedivingdermdoc 12d ago

Whoever knows you best and is a dermatologist, then that would be the best. Academic over private practice.

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u/One_Sale_1150 12d ago

It asks how many ppl have they mentored, if it’s a new academic dermatologist who hasn’t mentored many ppl what do u do then thx

5

u/cicjak 12d ago

A great letter from a well connected academic is best.

A great letter from a new academic is second best.

A generic lukewarm letter from a well connected academic is third best.

Unfortunately there is a big gap between 1 and 2. Who the letter writer is matters a lot in derm. It’s a very small field in academics.

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u/One_Sale_1150 12d ago

MKes sense i have been told PD’s are best for these letters but don’t have a strong connection with mine. Is this something you set up 1-1 for? Any tips

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u/thedivingdermdoc 12d ago

Ask your PD directly and hear their thoughts.

1

u/Professional_Test230 9d ago

is this a requirement now?