Away Sub-I Letters

[Guest]

To paint a broad picture of myself, I go to a top med school with a top home neurosurgery program. I have 20+ publications and great board scores. 

My sub-Is will likely be scheduled for September and October of this year (unfortunately can't do it any earlier because of how my school's 4th year is set up which sucks). I understand that I'll need 3 LORs by September 28 which is when PDs can begin reviewing applications. My current plan regarding the 3rd letter is to ask for a letter during the early 3rd week of my first away neurosurgery sub-I and hope that it's on time. However, if I can't get this 3rd letter by the 28 deadline, I'll likely have to submit a 3rd home letter. Therefore, I was wondering if it's okay if 3 LORs come from my home program and then a 4th letter submitted in early October from my first away program. I'm not sure how I'll get a letter from my 4th sub-I, but the earliest I can probably get that letter is late October. Does anyone have any advice on what to do? I feel confidently about my overall application with the exception of this situation. Thank you.

[Guest]

Considering the way ur trumpeting about how good ur home program/institution is, I’m surprised ur asking an anonymous forum rather than the unparalleled surgeons at ur program, or previous superstar grads from ur unbeatable med school. My guess is they find u annoying and self absorbed as well, and won’t give you the time of day

[Guest]

(02-21-2023, 04:10 PM)Guest Wrote: Considering the way ur trumpeting about how good ur home program/institution is, I’m surprised ur asking an anonymous forum rather than the unparalleled surgeons at ur program, or previous superstar grads from ur unbeatable med school. My guess is they find u annoying and self absorbed as well, and won’t give you the time of day

OP's just looking for help. You seem insecure. Background details such as ranking of one's medical school helps give a tailored answer. I don't see any trumpeting.

OP, you should be fine. Just get the September letter in on time and then October when you can. This is not uncommon.

It doesn't do good for this forum to have toxic responses on every post.

[Guest]

Make sure you have 3 LOR uploaded and submit the instant you can. You can get LoR from subIs and have your coordinator send them to interviews ahead of time after you schedule interviews. It’s fine, happens every year. Don’t risk not having 3 letters when the day opens to submit applications, it can delay your application being downloaded by programs and that could certainly mean missed interviews. Some places give it a week(s) before they even look at apps, some look at then and send interviews within first few weeks. Don’t risk it.

[Guest]

Thank you to the two posters above.

Also, I apologize if I came off as arrogant. I really just wanted to give some context. I did reach out to mentors at my school who gave advice. However, I just wanted to seek a few more opinions.

[Guest]

Yeah you will be fine, just get letters from home. Ask your away people to send letters and you can release them later to programs (I think, been many years since I applied)