The Department of Emergency Medicine does provide Departmental letters of recommendation for students that are interested. These letters follow the standard letter of recommendation formed by The Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD). The letter is written by the student coordinator, with input from all pertinent staff, the residency director and associate residency director. Any student asking for a departmental letter will be asked to provide their CV, personal statement, and board scores.
Departmental Letter of Recommendations will attempt to communicate to the reader a summary of the student's month long rotations, with input from the entire faculty. Students do have the option to waive access to their letters of recommendation. It is encouraged that students do waive their rights to see their letter of recommendation. If you do not waive your right this may create a question in the reader's mind that the student may be hiding something or question the content of the letter.
In addition to the Departmental letter, students may also ask an individual faculty member if he or she is comfortable writing an additional letter of recommendation. Most faculty members will honestly tell a student if they are not able to author a strong letter, and will respectfully decline. This may be unfair for the specialty, because if students submit only favorable (their best) letters, their potential may be inaccurately elevated. However, it is common that applicants request letters from authors who regard them in the best light and will write the best letter possible. Therefore, with the exception of medical student directors, who have the responsibility of composing at least the clerkship summary for the dean's letter, this practice will remain.
Characteristics of a quality Letter of Recommendation
NOTE: Any Departmental Letter of Recommendation will contain information regarding your rotation including rotation scores, evaluation comments, and grades. If you feel you do not wish your rotational information disclosed it is recommended you do not request a departmental letter or recommendation.