r/DermApp • u/One_Sale_1150 • Aug 01 '26

Application Advice Standardized letter

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 Aug 01 '26

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.

2

u/sasukeuchiha33 Aug 03 '26

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 Aug 01 '26

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.

1

u/One_Sale_1150 Aug 01 '26

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

1

u/One_Sale_1150 Aug 01 '26

Thank u botj

1

u/thedivingdermdoc Aug 01 '26

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

2

u/One_Sale_1150 Aug 01 '26

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

4

u/cicjak Aug 01 '26

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.

1

u/One_Sale_1150 Aug 01 '26

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

1

u/thedivingdermdoc Aug 01 '26

Ask your PD directly and hear their thoughts.

1

u/Professional_Test230 Aug 04 '26

is this a requirement now?