application letter for residency training

Letter of Intent

Residency Letter of Intent

A residency letter of intent is a formal document prepared by a candidate to convince the residency program of their choice to admit them into their training program. It is typically sent after the candidate has completed their residency interviews and wishes to improve their chances of being accepted as a trainee into their first choice institution.

The residency program is a crucial part of the medical profession as it allows you to receive your license and practice in your field of training. Because medical institutions see a lot of candidates every year, you can use this letter of intent to stand out from the crowd.

Why Should You Send a Residency Letter of Intent?

Sending a letter of intent will communicate to a residency program that they are your first choice and that you will rank them as so on your Rank Order List (ROL). Doing so can hold the following benefits:

• It can prompt a re-review of your application
• It can give you an edge in the competition

How to Send Your Letter

Consider the following when sending your letter:

Type: While an email may be faster, especially if you are pressed for time, a physical letter will help you stand out in an increasingly digital age.

Format: Use the block or semi-block format, with a clear subject line such as “Letter of Intent” and address the letter to the Program Director, by name.

Length: A concise letter will convey your interest regarding the residency without overwhelming the director. Try keeping your message to a single-spaced page or less of 200 to 300 words.

What to Include in Your Letter of Intent

An effective Residency Letter of Intent should include the following details:

• Your identity, you can mention your name and when you hand your interview for the program
• A statement expressing your intent to rank the program first on your ROL
• Your reasons for applying for the program and why you believe it is the right fit for you.
• Your qualifications and qualities that make you the right fit for the program.

What Not to Include

The NRMP imposes strict rules on residency applicants and programs. For example, as an applicant, you are prohibited from asking an institution how they plan to rank you. As such, you should avoid including anything in your letter that could be construed as trying to solicit this information. Some of the statements you should avoid include, ‘I look forward to hearing from you’ and ‘I am awaiting your response’

Residency Letter of Intent Format

{Program Director’s Name}

{Institution’s Name}

{Institution’s Address}

{State, City, Zip Code}

Re: Intent to Train at {Institution Name}

Dear {Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr. Last Name},

I am writing to express my interest to join the {field name} residency program at {institution name}. I had an interview at the institution on {interview date} with {interviewer name}, and I am confident this program is the perfect fit for me.

Your residency program interests me because {explain why it is your top choice}. I studied at {school name}, where I obtained my {qualifications}. I also engaged in {mention extra-curricular activities}, and I believe this makes me a suitable candidate for your program.

Given the opportunity to join you, I will {make professional declaration of your goals}.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sample Residency Letter of Intent

7th April 2031

Helena Gilbert, MD

Director, Oncology Residency Training Program

Georgia National Hospital

009 President St.

Atlanta, GA 43109

Re: Intent to Train at GNH

Dear Dr. Gilbert,

I am writing to express my interest to join the Oncology residency program at Georgia National Hospital. I had an interview at the institution on 1 April 2031 with Dr. Garry Hernandez, and I am confident this program is the perfect fit for me.

Your Oncology Program is the most advanced in the country and has been solely responsible for over 30 percent of the advancements in the field. I believe training there will help me reach my best potential.

I studied at Harvard Medical School, where I obtained my M.D. I was also part of the Cancer Treatment Science Program that studied the effectiveness of radiotherapy for brain tumors.

Given the opportunity to join you, I will dedicate my time and energy to my training the advancement of science. Thank you for your time.

Mercy Griffin

Residency Letter of Intent (Word Template)

Final Thoughts

The main purpose of a Residency Letter of Intent is to convince the program director that their residency program is first on your list of programs. It separates you from the pool of other potential trainees by highlighting your eagerness to join the institution of your choice.

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• Residency Application

How to Create a Memorable Residency Letter of Intent: The Guide

Including residency letter of intent samples.

It’s a good idea to send a letter of intent for residency to help improve your standing with your preferred residency program, once you’ve completed the residency interview questions . In this blog, you'll learn everything you need to know about the residency letter of intent including what to include, how to format the letter and common mistakes to avoid. Lastly, you'll have the chance to review a sample residency letter of intent.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

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Article Contents 12 min read

Sample letter of intent for residency.

Dear Dr. Eric Johnson, Program Director, X University,

My name is Jonas Jones and it was an honor to share my goals and learn more about X University's Anesthesia Residency Program during my interview with Dr. Adam Cole and Dr. Melanie Smith on January 29, 2019. I am writing you this letter to express my strong interest in Anesthesia and to let you know that I am ranking your program as my number-one choice for residency and, should I be matched with your program, I will accept your offer. In addition, I'd like to provide a brief update to my application materials.

There are many great anesthesia programs, but the X University's program remains my top choice for three main reasons. First, my professional interests and research skills will be further promoted and supported by this program, as I will have the chance to work on the ongoing studies on sleep medicine at the X Hospital. Second, the program offers a great variety of training that will allow me to rotate through different areas of anesthesiology and related specialties, such as pain medicine, dental anesthesia, and intensive care rotations. Additionally, I will have the opportunity to learn from an array of preceptors with different expertise. Third, during my elective at X University, I found my colleagues and responsibilities to be educational and enjoyable. My peers and superiors were eager to share their knowledge and help me in any way. I felt a strong sense of community when I attended the Book Club, seminars, and resident meet-ups. Finally, I have great attachment to the West Coast and would love to remain in X state. After attending undergraduate college outside of [state], I came back to [state] to complete my medical school education and hope to remain here for residency.

During my residency, I look forward to challenges and professional growth that are inevitable in such an innovative and cutting-edge program. The University of X's commitment to community care, pedagogy, and the principles of our profession leave me certain that I will be the right fit for this program and that I can help your goals and mission. My research experience in sleep medicine can further develop your programs’ reputation in this field. I would be honored to become a an involved member of your medical community and complete the final stages of my training in your institution. For these reasons, I am ranking The X University’s Anesthesia Residency Program as my first choice.

Lastly, I would like to provide a brief update to my application materials. I was recently invited to present my latest publication and research to an audience of approximately five hundred people at the annual X Conference. Also, my research supervisor has recently promoted me to Research Assistant in his lab, where I am now managing workflow of 5 undergraduate research assistants.

I want to thank you for your consideration. If there is any other information I can provide, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Jonas Jones

A residency letter of intent is a short, concise letter that is designed to tell your number-one program choice for residency that they are your top choice, as well as the reasons behind your decision. It is written to residency program directors to communicate your intent to join their program should you match. It’s another way to answer the “why should we choose you” residency interview question and affirm your desire to match with a specific program.

As with medical school acceptance rates , admission into residency programs is highly competitive. Sending a residency letter of intent can help you match to your top choice program. If you’re an international medical graduate (IMG), it can be the key to how to get into a residency program as an IMG . Let's go back a few steps in the process to understand where the residency letter of intent comes into play.

Many of you will be familiar with The Match. It's the method by which the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) facilitates and organizes the application process in the US. Thousands of residency applicants will use the ERAS  or CaRMS , for Canadian residency applicants, to apply and compete for residency spots offered throughout the United States and Canada. Programs will then respond to applicants by inviting them for interviews during the fall and winter of their final year of medical school. Once interview season has come to an end, applicants will create and submit a Rank Order List (ROL) , which is a list of programs, in order, that applicants would accept a contract with. Programs will also submit a ROL of applicants that they would like to accept as residents.

The Main Match algorithm plays “matchmaker” in setting up applicants and programs. Essentially, it pairs medical students and residents to postgraduate training programs based on these three factors:

• Number of available positions for each program
• List of preferred applicants from each program
• List of preferred programs from each applicant

The first factor is out of your control, but you have the power to influence the second by knowing what do residency program directors look for , and of course, you have full control over the third factor.

First and foremost, your residency letter of intent should be a maximum of one page in length, or around 200-300 words. This is designed to be a short, sweet, concise, easy to read document, not a recitation of your residency CV . Keep in mind that this is a formal letter so using bullet points or casual language isn't appropriate.

In your letter of intent, you want to state clearly and explicitly that a residency program is your top choice. Similar to the “what do you hope to gain from our residency program” interview question and “what are you looking for most in a residency program” interview question answers, you’ll outline in your letter why you want to match, what you will contribute to the program and what you will gain in return. You will send a residency letter of intent to only ONE program for this reason. Your goal is to convince a program to choose you as their top choice, too.

What’s included in a residency letter of intent?

Just like with your residency personal statement , you need to start by brainstorming before you begin to craft your letter. You need to know what you like about the program, how the program aligns with your short and long-term goals, what about this branch of medicine interests you, and why you want to attend a particular program, as opposed to other programs in the same specialty.

Hopefully, while you were at your interviews, you had a chance to learn more about each program, school, and the residents by asking your interviewers questions. Be sure you review any notes you made during these interviews or while you were on campus to jog your memory regarding what you loved about a particular program. Obviously, you have the intention of ranking one program as your first choice, so really take the time to think about why they are your first choice and be sure to include this in your letter.

In general, your residency letter of intent should have an opening paragraph, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Your conclusion should briefly mention the reasons for your decision and should re-iterate that you will be ranking this program as your number-one choice. ","label":"Conclusion","title":"Conclusion"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

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When should I send a residency letter of intent?

In terms of timing, the letter should be sent after your interviews, in late January to early February, but well before the final ranking deadline and Match Day. This allows your letter to be genuine because you'll have had a chance to learn more about the program at your interview and will also potentially have had other interviews at other programs. Essentially, you're showing, not just telling, your preferred program that you’ve really taken the time to consider all program options available to you, and they are still your number 1 choice.

Your residency letter of intent should be addressed to the residency program director or primary interviewer. The letter should be emailed to your interviewer or program director by mid-January, ideally.

When should I NOT send a residency letter of intent? Do I need to send one?

You shouldn’t send a residency letter of intent to a program you’re not 100% committed to attending, or if you don’t have a strong preference for any program. Remember that whichever program you end up matching with, you are contractually and ethically bound to. You won’t be able to change your mind. So don’t send a residency letter of intent unless you are fully bound to a particular program.

A residency letter of intent is NOT a requirement to get matched, but it can give you an advantage when trying to match to the most competitive residencies or secure a spot in a coveted program. So while you don’t need to send one, it’s a great idea to write one to your top choice program to increase your chances of matching. Be aware, though, that not all programs allow applicants to send a letter of intent. Check the preferences of your residency program before sending a letter of intent!

1. Sending the letter to space

So, you've taken all this time to write a great letter of intent and then you email it to [email protected] . This is a big mistake and can result in your letter getting lost in the email world. It's therefore essential that you address and send your letter to the residency program director, the actual person responsible for making applicant decisions. You'll have to do your research – check the school's website or make a few phone calls, just to ensure your letter makes it to the right person.

2. Listing unrelated items

Listing anything in your residency letter of intent is not appropriate. Don't forget, this is a formal letter. Don't use bullet points and don't list your hobbies or random items off your CV. If it doesn't relate to your interests and suitability for the program, don't mention it.

3. Beating around the bush

In your opening sentence, don't simply state that you like the program and will be ranking it highly. Tell the program director that they are your number 1 choice.

4. Sending multiple letters

Sending residency letters of intent to more than one residency program is a massive no-no. The letter of intent is designed to genuinely inform your program of choice that you will be ranking them number 1. It's misleading and unethical to send this letter to more than one program. The point of the letter is to make an exclusive commitment to one program only.

5. Sending a letter of intent inappropriately

Do not send a letter of intent for the sake of it; if you don't have a preferred program that you're in love with, it's best not to send anything, to any programs. Remember, if you send a letter of intent to a program and end up matching, you're ethically bound to that program.

6. Forgetting to proofread

Your residency letter of intent is a formal letter, and it will reflect on your candidacy. Avoid a common mistake by proofreading your letter before you send it or ask someone to proofread it for you, like a trusted friend or residency application consultant . Just like residency CV editing , this is a critical last step which demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail!

Need to improve your residency application after going unmatched? Here’s some more ways to boost your chances:

Residency Letter of Intent Samples

Sample residency letter of intent #2.

Dear Dr. Tania Smith,

My name is Rick Sampson, and I’m writing you this letter to tell you of my interest in your neurological surgical residency program at Z University. I was impressed with your program when I interviewed on [date] and even before my interview, I knew I would be ranking your program first.

In my first year of medical school, I planned to pursue a residency in neurological surgery. My rotations during my third year further solidified my decision to become a surgeon, and I began researching potential residency programs to apply to. Your program at [university] made it to the top of my list for the unique learning opportunities offered, as well as the world class surgeons teaching your residents.

In particular, I was intrigued by the simulation training and state-of-the-art facility you have at [university]. So much so that I decided to visit your facility in person last year to see it for myself. I was privileged to watch your residents working within the simulation under the instruction of [Dr. X] and [Dr. Y]. After, I attended a lecture from [Dr. Y] on the latest surgical techniques and how the surgical simulation was developed and idealized by herself and her peers. The observation visit was a great learning moment for me and [Dr. Y]’s lecture further instilled in me an appreciation for how much progress has been made in this specialty, and how much we have yet to learn. Were I to match to your program, I would be eager to work alongside your staff and benefit from their tutelage.

After visiting your program, I was struck by the diversity of cases presented and the adaptability of your team to take any illness, common or alien, and work together to find the right approach. Your team is truly dynamic, collaborative and forward-thinking, and they made a significant impact on me.

For these reasons, the surgical residency program at Z University is my top choice for residency training, and I would be honored to join your program.

Rick Sampson

Sample Residency Letter of Intent #3

Dear Dr. Melvin Black,

I am writing this letter to express my strong interest in joining your pediatrics residency program at [City Hospital]. After my interview on [date], I was convinced that the program was my number one choice.

[Dr. A]’s presentation on interview day highlighted the many benefits of your program, which matched perfectly with my desires in a residency program. I was especially enthusiastic about the dedicated time for independent research and encouragement for the residents to continue gaining research credits. With [university]’s dedication to emerging research in pediatric medicine, I am excited at the prospect of contributing to ground-breaking research projects and furthering my own knowledge.

I also had the opportunity to speak with some of the residents at [Hospital] during a visiting tour, and I was pleased by the camaraderie and the close-knit team you have. I enjoy working and collaborating with others, and it is great to see a program at such a large and busy hospital still has a strong team culture. A positive culture was one of my biggest asks in a residency program, and I have not seen another program with a team that rivals yours.

During my visit to your program, I also took some time to explore [City] and what it has to offer. I found it to be a vibrant and diverse place, with a special connection to art and music, which has long been a passion of mine. I even took the time to take in a show at [theatre], and hope to take in many more during my residency years here if I match to your program.

For these reasons, I will be ranking your program as my #1 choice for residency, and I sincerely hope to match with your program as well.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me for further information.

Kind regards,

Felicity Carmichael

A letter of intent for residency is a short, formal letter candidates send to their top choice program, to state their intentions towards the program. It can be a useful tool to increase your chances of matching to your #1 program.

Send a letter of intent to your top choice residency program ONLY. You should send a residency letter of intent if you have a program you feel very strongly about matching with and it is your #1 choice.

Use your letter to explicitly state that a program is your top choice, why you’ve chosen this program, what you can contribute and what you will gain from the program’s training. Include a formal introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion to wrap up your letter.

A letter of interest expresses your interest in matching to a particular residency program and may be sent to several different programs. A residency letter of intent is sent to only ONE residency program: your #1 choice.

Avoid informal language, vague explanations of why a program is your top choice, and lengthy personal anecdotes. Keep your letter concise and to the point. Also avoid common mistakes like not proofreading your letter, sending more than one letter of intent and addressing it to the wrong person.

While a letter of intent is not required, it can give you a competitive edge when applying to your top choice program. It’s a way of showing a residency program director that you are as committed to them as they are to you and convincing them to choose you over other applicants.

You should send your residency letter of intent to the program director or the primary interviewer. If you’re not sure who the director is or how to contact them, call the residency program for the right information.

A residency letter of intent is a serious, formal letter. It should only be written to your top choice program if you are 100% committed to that program. Once you match with a program, you are bound to that residency program, so you won’t be able to change your mind.

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Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions.

DeeAnne Reynolds

what if you signed a letter of intent (due to an imposed deadline) and later had other interviews and after serious analysis want to back out of the letter of intent before the match deadline?

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello DeeAnne! Thanks so much for your question. If you have already sent a letter of intent to a program, but changed your mind and want to attend a different program, consider being honest with the program director.

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Sample Letter of Recommendation for Medical Residency

• 24 May, 2021
• ERAS Application Letters of Recommendation
• No Comments

When you’re applying for medical residency, having high quality Letters of Recommendation can strengthen your application. First, become familiar with the appropriate content for an LoR and how to choose the best letter writers. Next, you might find it helpful to review a strong sample Letter of Recommendation. Doing so can help you feel more confident about these supporting documents, whether you’re getting ready to request them or preparing to draft them yourself.

Below, we’ve provided a sample LoR for an internal medicine residency applicant. First, you’ll notice that the letter touches on all the key points highlighted in our blog Guide to Writing Residency Letters of Recommendation. Specifically, this letter includes:

• Details about how the writer knows the applicant
• An acknowledgement of the specialty being applied to
• Discussion of the ACGME 6 Core Competencies
• Specific examples
• A clear and straightforward recommendation for the specialty being applied to

Sample Letter of Recommendation

Finally, we hope this sample is helpful in demonstrating what a specialty specific and well-written Letter of Recommendation looks like!

Also, if you’ve been asked to author your own LoRs, or have access to those written for you, consider signing up with  Residency Experts. When you sign up, our highly qualified editors will edit your Letters of Recommendation to perfection, and we also offer editing of the written sections of your MyERAS Application and Personal Statement. You can also check out Residency Experts’ helpful tips by reading Your Complete Residency Letter of Recommendation Guide .

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How To Ask For a Letter of Recommendation for Residency Programs

Letters of recommendation (LoRs) are a necessity for entrance into ACGME-accredited residency training programs.  Requirements may vary across programs, specialties, and institutions—some ask for up to four letters to satisfy the requirements of a completed application.  

Previously, we have written about letters of recommendation as viewed from the perspective of a program director .  This post will focus on the applicant’s perspective, specifically how to ask for and secure great letters of recommendation, submit them on time, and have them highlight your strengths to help you best stand out as an applicant.

One: ask early

Most attendings are busy and extended with clinical commitments, research, and administrative and other professional duties. That means your letter request likely won’t be at the top of their minds. And that’s OK. 

Asking well in advance of ERAS opening on September 15th will be to your advantage, as it will prevent delays in submitting your application. If you get a letter turned in right away (rare!) then you’ll be done and will be able to focus on other aspects of your application. 

To really set yourself up for success, send a follow-up email four weeks later. In our personal experiences, when an attending sees that it is the second (or third or fourth) email they become more responsive. 

Two:  Consider a “pre-written letter”

At times, attendings will be too busy to write the letter from scratch themselves.  So, some will propose (or you may politely suggest) that you compose a letter about yourself on their behalf.  In this case, you’ll be able to selectively highlight important achievements and characteristic traits. However, be sure to remain as objective as possible, sticking to facts. 

Refrain from using phrases like “This is one of the best students I have ever worked with.”  That is a part that the attending may choose to add while editing your draft, but do not be presumptuous and assume they want you to add this component yourself. Obviously, in this situation, you should not lie or exaggerate. The letter writer will have full control of edits, but the pre-written letter is always a helpful and accelerative start. It might also be a good strategy to float this idea to the attending if you haven’t seen your letter finished letter as deadlines draw near.

Three:  Compose a slick email up-front

Below is an email template to accelerate the conversation. Why does this work well? It is easy to read. It highlights certain points. And it provides all the necessary information, while giving the attending you are asking the chance to remember you amongst the many other students they have worked with, without the awkward conversation of trying to remind them who you are (obviously, if you know an attending who knows you well, just asking in person works and this step can be skipped).

My name is X and I am a fourth-year medical student applying to Y.

I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf?  If you recall, we worked together on while on my _________ rotation. Specifically, I was the student that did ___________.

Here is a shortlist of my highlights and academic achievements:

• Publication in X
• Presentation at Y
• Background significant for Z
• Unique connection with the writer

Attached is my CV and Personal Statement for your review and convenience as well.

If you are agreeable and can write a favorable letter, could you please have this done by bolded date here, which will allow for timely submission of my application. I would greatly appreciate it.

If you are unable to complete this request I completely understand.  I am also happy to discuss further at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your time,

Four: choose wisely

There are many schools of thought on who exactly should write your letters. It’s definitely a good idea to have one to two letters from the field you are applying to. An additional letter from a core rotation (i.e. surgery, medicine) never hurts. If you have a connection with an attending that could speak to you as a person or something not easily seen, ask them as well.

Also, ensure your letter writer is someone you can trust.  You’ll likely have to waive your ability to review this letter when you apply, although some may send you a finalized copy.

And let me address the elephant in the room: the majority of people will not have ‘big name’ writers. Sure, it is a tremendous boost to have these people vouch for you. But, do not despair if you don’t have any renowned people. Perhaps there is a letter writer who is a graduate of the residency program to which you are applying. Or maybe, one who is active in a particular local organization, certain niche research field, or who has strong relationships with program directors or faculty there. Point is – you can make it work.  

One other item you’ll learn is how small a field medicine is; many physicians may know each other from national conferences or other academic events, even if they work at institutions on opposite sides of the country. It is always a good idea to see if any of your letter writers have any connection to the residency programs and institutions you most strongly prefer.

A final point: once you match, it is always a nice gesture to reach out to your letter writers and let them know where are going. 

Have more questions about LoRs?  Here are some other great resources: Kevin MD’s points on how to ask for a great letter , the AAFP’s recommendations for requesting an LoR , and the ECFMG’s tips on asking for letters .

Following these simple steps will streamline securing strong letters of recommendation.  Thalamus is all about streamlining—in fact, our comprehensive interview scheduling platform is in use across the nation, connecting applicants and programs in a way that makes communication clear and easy. Find out how it works .

Thalamus was created through a grassroots collaboration of program directors, program coordinators and applicants/medical students to address the inefficiencies in the residency and fellowship interview management process.

• Thalamus Core
• Automated Itinerary Wizard
• Integrated Video Interviews
• Cortex Application Screening
• Best Practices
• Program User Guide
• Applicant User Guide
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• MyERAS Application Written Sections
• Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Residency Document Editing
• Our Process
• Applying to Residency Programs
• Residency Application Red Flags
• Application Common Mistakes
• Letter of Recommendation Guide
• Residency Letters of Interest, Thank Yous, & Letters of Intent

Your Complete Residency Letter of Recommendation Guide

Why are residency letters of recommendation so important.

Letters of Recommendation (LoRs) are a critical component of every residency candidate’s ERAS Application. In fact, Program Directors consistently rank specialty-specific LoRs as one of the most important factors for inviting candidates to interviews: in 2020, 84% of PD’s cited LoRs as an important interview invitation factor with an importance value of 4.3 out of 5.

Furthermore, specialty-specific LoRs are consistently among the Top 5 Most Important factors for ranking an applicant, according to NRMP Program Director Surveys year after year.

ERAS Letters of Recommendation serve several key functions in your residency application:

• Demonstrate experiences specific to the specialty to which you are applying
• Demonstrate good rapport with multiple physicians
• Showcase work ethic, commitment to the specialty, and contributions to medicine
• Exemplify personal characteristics, academic performance, and involvement
• Reinforce and integrate aspects of your ERAS Application and Personal Statement

Your ERAS LoRs are 1-2 page letters written by those you have worked with in the field. You should apply with 2 or more specialty-specific LoRs out of the 3 or 4 total LoRs you submit with each application.

** DO NOT SUBMIT LoRs  recommending you for a different specialty than the one which you are applying to.** 

Instead, ask your LoR authors to write 2 versions of your LoR. For example, the first LoR could be recommending you for Internal Medicine (especially if they are an internist) while the second LoR is a general recommendation for any specialty. Asking your authors to make a few small tweaks to their LoR (usually just a few sentences each) is an excellent way to help tailor your application to your top specialty as well as any backups to which you may be applying.

Who Should Write Letters of Recommendation? (and who should not)

The author of your LoRs is very important. It helps establish credibility, relevance to the chosen specialty, and can even serve as a bridge for further confirmation/investigation by programs of interest.

Generally speaking, your LoR Authors should be:

• Practicing in the specialty to which you are applying
• A higher rank/status than yourself (attendings, advisors, managers, etc.)
• Medical professionals – This can mean being a physician, researcher, public health advocate, etc.

The BEST Letters of Recommendation are from:

• Specialty-specific clinical settings in the United States
• High ranked authors who know you very well and have worked with you in an extended clinical setting (PDs, Department Heads/Chairs, Attendings)
• Recent – Within 1 year (or 2 years maximum)

Letter of Recommendation Authors should NOT be:

• Peers, family, or friends (use your best judgement)
• Written by those who do not know you or who have had little interaction with you
• Written with errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax

Basically, the strongest ERAS Letters of Recommendation will come from specialty-specific physicians in the USA who have worked with you extensively and can craft a very detailed, personable, precise, and persuasive reference toward your candidacy – which leads to our next important topic – how to actually get these Letters of Recommendation.

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Obtaining the Best Letters of Recommendation

Getting the strongest LoRs takes planning and early execution. It will take your authors time to discuss your LoR with you, draft and edit, and then upload  to ERAS (which can be a daunting and confusing task – especially for international authors who are unfamiliar with ERAS).

For those currently in medical school – your clinical rotations during MS3 are when you should START PLANNING for obtaining your LoRs. This means making yourself known to attendings, establishing personal relationships, and standing out in the best ways. Moreover, be sure to foster these relationships even after your rotations. A strong residency network is one of your best allies when it comes to success in The Match.

View the Full Guide:

OBTAINING THE BEST LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

The Reality: How to Write Your Own ERAS Letters of Recommendation

The truth is that every year, thousands of residency applicants are asked to write their own residency Letters of Recommendation . Many physicians simply may not have the time, interest, or desire to write the LoR for you, but are happy to sign off at the bottom after you’ve written it for them.

So, how do you write your own Letters of Recommendation? Luckily, we’ve created an Authorship Guide for any letter writer to use.

WRITING RESIDENCY LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

If you’ve written one or more LoRs for yourself, we highly recommend having a professional review and edit this document . Since LoRs are so incredibly important for your application, you do not want to fall short. With Residency Experts, Residency Document Editing (including LoRs) is only $99 for comprehensive, in-depth editing and optimization.

Residency Letter of Recommendation Checklist

Thanking Your Letter of Recommendation Authors

Thanking your LoR writers is respectful, polite, and simply the right thing to do! Sending a genuine thank you letter or email is a wonderful way to continue building a strong rapport with your LoR author.

Remember, getting this LoR isn’t the end of the road with your writer . They may serve as an invaluable aspect of your medical network , helping you land the future opportunities you are dreaming of!

Get Started with Professional LoR Editing

Sign in or Register with Residency Experts for Optimization Today!

Questions about your Letters of Recommendation? Call us at 858-221-8580 or email your question to [email protected] . We are happy to assist you!

Residency Letter of Intent Template

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Updated July 21, 2023

Use ContractsCounsel to draft this LOI!

A residency letter of intent is written by a candidate to convince a residency program to admit them. As part of a medical professional’s education, a residency program is an integral role in receiving one’s license to practice a given specialty of medicine.

The number of candidates is very high and the competition is fierce. A well-crafted letter of intent allows candidates to express their interest in their field of medicine as well as the reason why they want to take part in a specific residency program. The program director (or person(s) in charge of accepting residents) is looking for individuals who are eager to take part in their residency program and who will make the most out of their time as a trainee.

Typically, a residency letter of intent is sent after a candidate interviews for a program. The letter helps separate the candidate from others by indicating that this particular program is high (or, even better, first) on their list of residency programs.

What is Residency?

Residency is a hands-on work experience stage of a graduate program for education in the field of medicine. This stage of medical education comes after the individual in question receives their medical degree.

A residency program trains individuals (“residents” or “trainees”) to perform their job in real situations before they earn a license to practice their chosen specialty. Physicians, surgeons, podiatrists, pharmacists, podiatrists, optometrists, and even veterinarians are examples of individuals who must go through residency before receiving their license. A residency program takes place in a hospital or clinic and the residents are supervised by a clinician who is registered in that particular branch of medicine.

Even though residents are not fully licensed, residency programs do offer a base salary for residents (typically around $50,000). A residency typically lasts three years but can be as long as five years for some specialties.

Residency Letter of Intent – Sample

July 29, 2019

Mrs. Stacey Shubeck, Program Director William Beaumont Hospital Program 3601 W 13 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI, 48073 (248) 898-5000

Dear Mrs. Shubeck

I’m writing to you to confirm my interest and eagerness to join your residency program at William Beaumont Hospital. My interview took place three weeks ago on July 8th, 2019, and I wanted to express my intent to accept a position in your residency program if one was offered to me. I believe this program is the perfect fit for me and it is my number one choice among all programs to which I applied.

The residency program at William Beaumont interests me because of the dynamic setting for my development as an internist. I am convinced that the hospital and outpatient facilities, as well as the nationally regarded faculty, will help me reach my potential as a physician. I am personally acquainted with a number of doctors who have taken part in this program and they have all become very successful physicians. I believe I would be a suitable candidate for a position in the program because I received top marks at the University of Kansas where I obtained my M.D. I also played an integral role in the hands-on research project with my mentor Nikki Hamilton-Reeves in my last semester. The project was part of the Anesthesiology program at KU and we studied the impact of fibrinolysis on outcomes in liver transplantation. My thesis, attached to my application packet, was written on this subject and received high praise from influential medical professionals.

I have spent a number of years as a hospice volunteer at Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care in Milwaukee. My time at Seasons helped me deal with the emotional toll that comes with caring for a dying patient and experience first-hand how care providers interact with patients and family. I feel that I am more prepared than other candidates due to my experience in research, fieldwork, and general medical care.

It would be an honor to be accepted as a resident and I know that if given the opportunity, I will help maintain the sterling reputation of William Beaumont. If admitted into the program, I won’t hesitate to accept your offer. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I’m available anytime at the number above should you require any further information.

Kind regards,

[Signature] Gene Hartwell

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The Residency Application Process and Timeline

Residency applications are submitted electronically. A curriculum vitae (resume), personal statement, letters of recommendation from the dean and others, medical school transcripts, USMLE and/or COMLEX scores, and other credentials are included in the application.  

Most allopathic   and osteopathic  medical residency programs use the   Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS®)  to process residency applications. ERAS® is a service that transmits applications to residency programs over the Internet. Candidates participate in ERAS® through their deans' offices.  

 The deadline dates change from year to year, but the template for successful pursuit of residency training in pediatrics is relatively stable. Check the ERAS® website for yearly deadlines.

Prepare a program list that has breadth and depth of programs in terms of experiences and competitiveness and apply to all programs in which you are interested.

Important Note About the Military Match  

If you are a military scholarship student, you are encouraged to communicate with your branch to find out when applications are due and to check in early with your student affairs office to ensure that all requirements are met on time. The military match begins and ends sooner than the ERAS®/NRMP® Match, and the results are released in mid-December. For information on military residency programs, the AAP Section on Uniform Services annually updates the Guide to Military Pediatric Residencies .

​ Letters of Recommendation  

Letters are an important part of the residency application and give program directors the opportunity to see how you are regarded by faculty members that have worked with you. Try to request your letters from core faculty members who have observed your direct clinical work with patients. Most pediatric residency training programs require three letters of recommendation from faculty members. At least one letter should be from a pediatric faculty; other letters may come from pediatric faculty members or faculty from any other clinical departments. For students who have done additional community work or research, a fourth letter documenting those activities enhances the application.

Asking for a Letter  

It may feel intimidating to r equest letters from faculty. Here are a few suggestions when asking for a letter:  

• Compile a list of potential letter writers 3-4 months in advance.
• When possible, make the request in person and at least 3 months ahead of the deadline to allow authors enough time to draft the letter.
• It is important to ask the faculty member if they can write you a strong letter based on your clinical skills. If the faculty member says that he or she can only write a somewhat strong letter, ask someone else. Of course, if that is still your best evaluation, stay with that person.
• You must provide your letter writer with all the necessary information, e.g. ERAS® face sheet (which has an alphanumeric code that must be used to upload your letter to ERAS®), your CV, and your personal statement, even if they are still in draft form.
• Plan for some faculty members to want to sit down with you to learn about your interests, short- and long-term goals.
• The ERAS® "face sheet" has a selection marked "waived" or "did not waive" the right to read the letter before submission. Persons reading that letter who see that a candidate did not waive access may put less faith in the letter. Some faculty members may share a copy or discuss the details even if you have waived access.

The Personal Statement  

A well written personal statement takes time. Start writing yours at least 3-4 months ahead of the deadline. It should present a clear, honest, and concise summary of your innate qualities and lend insight into your personality, experiences, and passions. Your statement enables you to add a new dimension to the application, persuade those who read it that you will be a desirable house officer and an asset to the program, and distinguishes you from your peers. Ask for honest feedback from friends, advisors, and at least one person who has strong editing skills.

To save time and improve the quality of the piece, consider starting with an outline. The statement should flow well and be organized -- with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Typically, if possible, try to limit your statement to one page. This article , written by Turi McNamee, MD, provides insight into drafting an original personal statement.

A few suggestions to be considered while compiling your personal statement:

• Include interests outside of medicine that lend insight into your personality
• Highlight experiences that demonstrate distinguishing traits that you bring to the field of pediatrics (e.g. motivation, leadership, reliability, integrity)
• Detail narratives relating experiences or attitudinal shifts that reflect personal growth during medical school
• Focus on why you are interested in the field of pediatrics, especially if you had a unique experience in medical school (or in pediatrics) that cemented your desire to pursue the field
• Mention your professional plans after residency
• Concentrate on information that cannot be attained from your CV

Additional Resources and Articles on Preparing for the Application Process  

• AAP Career Center – Career Learning Center  
• Pediatric Residency Application Process FAQ  ( member login required to access )
• Timeline & Tips for Medical Students Applying to Pediatrics ( member login required to access )
• AAP Mentorship Program –  PedsConnect Resources   (member login and mentorship profile required to access)  

Start early, stay on track with deadlines, work closely and consistently with your advisors, seek out constructive criticism about your applications and personal statements, and prepare for interviews . Y ou’ll do well in the Match.  

Last Updated

American Academy of Pediatrics

2024-2025 ERAS Residency Application Guide

• By Med School Insiders
• March 26, 2024
• Medical Student
• Residency , Residency Application

The ERAS residency application is completed in your final year of medical school—but really—you should begin preparing yourself for this crucial step throughout your entire time at med school.

Although residencies are educational, they’re quite a bit different from medical school. A residency provides on-the-job training for people to acquire their medical license so that they can become a practicing physician.

This means the application components are quite different from your original medical school application. They must reflect a sense of maturity, growth, and deepened dedication to medicine. Continue reading our ERAS residency application guide, which covers the following topics:

An Introduction to the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS)

Eras residency application timeline, what happens next, eras residency application checklist, residency application mistakes to avoid, eras residency application faqs.

The Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) is the centralized online application service applicants use to deliver their application and supporting documents to residency programs. ERAS streamlines the application process for applicants as well as their Designated Dean’s Office, letter of recommendation authors, and program directors.

ERAS includes four individual but connected applications, which were created to meet the needs of each user group involved in the application process. ERAS provides an impartial, confidential transmission of all applications to programs.

The 4 ERAS Applications:

• MyERAS is where applicants complete their applications, assign supporting documents, select programs, and submit the materials for their selected programs.
• Dean’s Office Workstation (DWS) is where Designated Dean’s Offices upload medical school transcripts and medical school performance evaluations (MSPEs) in support of the applications submitted through ERAS.
• Letters of Recommendation Portal (LoRP) is where letters of recommendation authors submit their letters in support of the applicant applying through ERAS.
• Program Director’s Workstation (PDWS) is where training programs receive and review applications and supporting documents.

How ERAS Works:

• Applicants receive a token (one-time access code) from their Designated Dean’s Office.
• Applicants use the token to register with MyERAS.
• Applicants complete their MyERAS application, assign supporting documents, select programs, and apply to programs.
• The applicant’s Designated Dean’s Office and letters of recommendation authors upload supporting documents.
• Examining boards receive and process requests for transcripts.
• Programs receive the application materials through the Program Director’s Workstation (PDWS).

Technically speaking, ERAS season begins in June, but you should be thinking about your residency application long before then. Use the earlier part of the year to prepare for application season. In the spring, you should be considering which schools you want to apply to, acquiring letters of recommendation, and thinking about the direction you want to take your personal statement.

The ERAS season begins in early June. Obtain your token (one-time access code) at this time by contacting your Designated Dean’s Office. This will grant you access to MyERAS. It’s also a good idea to determine if you will need to take the Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics, also known as Casper.

Here is a list of medical schools that require Casper . If you need to take the test, read our Casper Test Guide for information about scoring, preparation, and more.

Start filling in your application with your work, volunteering, and research experience. Take full advantage of the ERAS Tools and Worksheets for Residency Applicants ; this will help you to determine exactly what kind of information you need to gather to complete your application.

As you work on your application, search for programs you’re interested in and save them for later so that you can organize the correct documents for each program.

June – August

You can only register for ERAS once. Do your utmost to ensure your application is flawless. DO NOT certify your application before you are absolutely sure it is complete, accurate, and exactly what you want to submit. You can only certify your application once—doing so will lock in your application, making it unchangeable for the rest of the application season.

Get all of your details in order and continue fine-tuning your application. Check in to ensure your letters of recommendation are confirmed, get feedback on your personal statement, and make final decisions about which residency programs you want to apply to.

Read: How to Choose a Medical Specialty in 6 Steps

Request your relevant transcripts (USMLE, COMLEX-USA, MSPE, etc.) during this time. You should also begin interview prep during these months so that you are prepared and able to present your best self on the residency interview trail .

ERAS will start accepting applications at the beginning of September. We highly recommend submitting your application well before the deadline . The site also tends to crash around the time they are due because of the high volume of applicants, so ensure you’re not leaving it to the last possible day.

Applications are released to programs at the end of September, and interview invitations can be sent out as early as the next day, so if you submit your application close to the day ERAS releases your application, you could miss out on the first round of interviews.

You also have to apply for the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) , also known as The Match, around this time, which requires a separate application.

1 | Residency Interviews

Interview season for residency programs begins in October and lasts until February. Don’t stray too far from your computer or phone during this time as ideal interview slots fill up fast. Keep your calendar updated at all times so that you can pick optimal dates as soon as they become available.

Read our Residency Interview Guide , which includes common interview questions, 7 strategies for preparing, what to wear, and resources to guarantee your success.

2 | Matched Through NRMP (National Residency Match Program)

The NRMP, also known as The Match, is a system based on a Nobel Prize-winning algorithm designed to allow medical students who are applying for residency to be placed or “matched” into a residency spot at a US program in their chosen specialty.

To participate in a Match, you need to use the NRMP’s secure Registration, Ranking, and Results (R3) system to register and create a username and password. You must have an AAMC ID to register for the Main Residency Match. After registering with NRMP, log back into ERAS and update your profile with your NRMP ID so that program directors can more easily identify you for placement on the program’s rank order lists.

Learn the 7 Things You Must Know About the NRMP Residency Match .

1 | ERAS Experiences Section

The experience section on the residency application provides an opportunity for you to share your work, volunteering, and research experience. Include all relevant experience—not only the experiences relevant to your specialty. You can tailor your personal statement to your specialty, but when it comes to experiences, you want to highlight all that you’ve been up to and what you’ve learned.

When describing each activity, try to answer these three questions in three sentences: What is it? What did you do? What did you learn? This will help the reader to quickly understand your background and what each activity meant to you. A lot of your interview questions will come from this section, so be sure to review it before any interviews.

2 | ERAS Personal Statement

The residency personal statement is your chance to tell your story, explain why you want to join a certain specialty, and demonstrate why you’re qualified to do so. It’s your single opportunity outside of interviews to personally highlight anything that you feel was underrepresented in other parts of your application and provide necessary context for your accomplishments.

Much of your residency application material focuses on your scores and grades, which don’t tell much about who you are as a person or what you’re passionate about. Your letters of recommendation will shed light on your dedication and professionalism, but the personal statement is your chance to tell your story as you see it.

While this may sound like the medical school personal statement, don’t assume you’ll be able to rehash it when writing your residency personal statement. The two are quite different. Residency programs aren’t looking for medical students; they’re looking for young professionals who have vastly improved their medical knowledge, earned their doctorate, and deepened their focus and dedication to medicine.

Your residency personal statement must reflect these differences. You are no longer a wide-eyed premed. Keep the focus of your personal statement on your professional development and why your experiences have made you want to join a certain specialty. Be confident yet humble about your accomplishments so far, and speak passionately about what you hope to accomplish in the specialty.

Technically, the residency personal statement allows for 28,000 characters. We do not recommend using all of this space. Keep your personal statement to one typed page, which is about 700-800 words.

A stand out essay can be enough to get you an interview offer while a poor statement can shut the door on an otherwise top-tier applicant. View our database of Residency Personal Statement Samples , take careful care editing, ask mentors for feedback, and consider professional personal statement editing .

3 | ERAS Letters of Recommendation

Just like the letters of recommendation for your medical school application, ERAS letters of recommendation give residency programs crucial insight into how professional physicians see you—your work ethic, character, specific strengths and attributes, and how well you’ll fit in and contribute to your chosen specialty.

You are allowed to upload an unlimited number of references, but only a maximum of four letters of recommendation per program. Your MSPE or Dean’s Letter do not count as one of your letters. Your letters do not need to be addressed to the specific residency program but should instead be standardized, so that letter writers do not need to draft multiple letters.

It’s ideal to find writers from a range of different specialties and experiences who you have worked closely with, know you extremely well, and who will speak highly of your skills, work ethic, and personal characteristics. You must have at least one letter from an attending you worked with closely, a department chair, or a mentor in your chosen specialty so that they can speak to your aptitude and suitability for that specific specialty.

Your program may also require a letter from someone outside the field of medicine. Carefully scan the specific program requirements of each program on their website to determine exactly what you’ll need.

4 | ERAS Photo

Adding a photo is optional for your application, but it’s highly recommended, as a friendly, professional photo will help those assessing your application remember you. Faculty will see your photo as they make decisions and deliberate over your potential candidacy for residency, and it will help them identify you when you report to interviews.

Upload your own photo in MyERAS by selecting Upload New Photo in the Actions column.

The photo file cannot exceed these requirements:

• Dimensions: 2.5 in. x 3.5 in.
• Resolution: 150dpi
• File Size: 100kb

Ensure it’s a professional-looking, high-quality photo. Wear professional clothing; ideally, something that would be appropriate for a medical school interview. Smile, and ensure you appear friendly and approachable. The background should be plain and subtle, with nothing that will distract from you.

If you know any photographer friends, this is a good time to ask for a favor. If you aren’t experienced using a professional camera yourself, and you don’t know anyone who is, you should pay for a professional photo. You’ve come all this way and have already spent an unbelievable amount of money on medical school. Pay this small cost to ensure you have a quality headshot.

Learn more: ERAS Residency Application Photo Requirements and Tips .

5 | Transcripts

You need to request your USMLE transcript (or COMLEX-USA transcript for DO schools) for your application. Authorize the release of this document during the summer. As you create a timeline for your final years of medical school, ensure you schedule Step 2CK well before the September of your residency application, as it can take weeks for test results to come back.

If you’ve made the request, your school will assemble your MSPE (Medical School Performance Evaluation) letter and transcripts and upload them for you.

Avoid these common mistakes when preparing for and submitting your residency application.

• Certifying (locking in) your ERAS application before it’s perfect.
• Submitting a bland personal statement that doesn’t directly address why you will be a good fit to join a certain specialty.
• Allowing small mistakes to slip through due to carelessness and sloppy editing.
• Not getting strong letters of recommendation from people who will speak highly of you.
• Rehashing your original medical school personal statement.
• Not bothering to submit a photo of yourself.
• Submitting a low-quality or distracting photo.
• Waiting until the deadline to submit your application.
• Waiting too long to begin researching and considering your preferred specialty.
• Not taking notes during your work, volunteer, and research experiences. (Notes will help you describe your experiences in detail.)
• Not considering your residency application throughout your time in medical school.

Applying to residency is quite a bit different than applying to medical school. Read our 9 essential strategies for applying to residency .

How Do I Access MyERAS?

Contact your Designated Dean’s Office to access MyERAS . They will issue you a token, which is a one-time access code to register for MyERAS.

You must acquire an ERAS token from your own Designated Dean’s Office, as your documents will not be accurately uploaded with a token from a different school or organization. You also must make sure that your ERAS token is from the current MyERAS season, as a token from a previous season will not work. ERAS tokens can only be used once to register.

An AAMC account is required to register for MyERAS. If you don’t already have one, you will need to register for one.

How Much Do Residency Applications Cost?

ERAS application fees are based on the number of programs applied to per specialty. If you apply to up to ten programs, it will cost you $99. If you apply to 11-20 programs, the cost is $19 each. Applying to 21-30 programs will cost you $23 each, and applying to 31 programs or more will cost you $27 each.

Additional fees include your USMLE transcript ($80) or your COMLEX-USA transcript ($80), both of which are assessed once per season.

MyERAS automatically calculates your fees. You can pay online using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. ERAS does not offer refunds for any reason.

Are There Programs That Don’t Participate in ERAS?

Some specialties or programs do not participate in ERAS. If that’s the case for a program you are interested in, you need to contact that program directly to determine how to apply.

Which Specialties Require a Supplemental ERAS Application?

There are a few specialties that require a supplemental ERAS application in addition to the main MyERAS application. Internal medicine, dermatology, and general surgery use a short (and free) supplemental ERAS application with new questions that provide programs with more information about applicants.

Residency Application Editing With Med School Insiders

Approaching your residency application with care and tact is critical to your success. Our team of doctors has years of experience helping medical students get matched with their ideal program.

Med School Insiders can help you prepare a stand out residency application. We offer a number of Residency Admissions Consulting Services tailored to your needs, including personal statement editing , USMLE tutoring , interview prep and mock interviews , and overall application editing .

Med School Insiders

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Residency Letters Of Recommendation: The Ultimate Guide (with ERAS Samples)

Table of Contents

Introduction

When I reviewed residency applications as a program director, I was always reassured when I read a letter from someone I knew and trusted.

Therefore, because program directors value the opinion and assessments of people with whom you have worked during medical school, and, especially those letters from people within the specialty to which you are applying, ERAS letters of recommendation become one of the most important parts of your residency application.

Knowing from whom to ask for letters, how to ask for them, when to get them, and how to ask is often a major concern for residency applicants.

Below we have answered your most pressing questions about residency letters of recommendation.

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When should I ask for letters of recommendation?

At any time during your medical education, when you identify someone with whom you have rapport and who thinks highly of you ask that person if she would be willing to write you a strong letter of reference in the future. Then be sure to keep in touch with that individual from time to time. Keep the attending updated on your progress and achievements so when it comes time to write your letter she won’t have to play catch up, which will make the letter more sincere.

Assuming you are applying for residency in September, you should request letters by May or June, if possible. However, since many of your key rotations will likely be in June, July, and possible August of your fourth year of medical school, we advise asking those letter writers as soon as you can so they can submit by September 15th.

How should I ask for letters of recommendation?

How you go about asking someone to write a letter depends in part on your relationship with the individual. If an attending offers to write a letter on your behalf and you have had an open dialogue about his doing so, then simply ask him if he would like any supporting documentation. 

Otherwise, it is best to schedule an appointment to meet with the attending. I suggest first requesting this meeting via email. If the email isn’t answered in three to four business day, follow up with a phone call.

You also want to remind your letter write about deadlines since they may not be aware of them.

We suggest you try and personalize your request as much as possible.

Here is a sample email letter request:

Dear Dr. Murray,

I will be applying for residency in otolaryngology this fall and I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write me a letter of reference. I really enjoyed my rotation with you where I learned so much about the practice of ENT both in the OR and in the outpatient setting. This rotation is what really solidified my desire to practice ENT. Since then, I have written one case report and started a research project with Dr. Katz. As we talked about during the rotation, I hope to return to Texas for residency so I can be closer to family. I would be happy to meet or speak with you, whatever is easiest for you. I have attached my CV to this email for your reference. I will be submitting my ERAS application in September and would great appreciate if you could send the letter by then. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, Krystal Khan, MS IV

During the meeting, it is fair to ask this person openly if he would be willing to write a strong letter on your behalf. You must hope that you will get an honest reply. If you sense any hesitation, walk away. You don’t want any mediocre or poor letters in your profile.

Your job is to make the letter writer’s job as easy as possible. Arrive at the meeting with a folder in hand that has a copy of your CV, your personal statement (if you have already written it), and any information he may need, such as your AAMC number and where the letters should be sent. 

Some attendings may refer you to their administrative assistants, who will let you know what materials are needed for the attending to compose your letter. Every letter writer has his or her own approach to writing letters and therefore each will make different requests regarding the background information they want from you. 

Who should write my letters of recommendation?

Which letters have the most impact when it comes to residency? It depends. If you are applying for orthopaedic surgery, for example, you don’t want to have three letters from non-orthopaedic faculty. When applying to residency, titles matter; a letter from a community doctor will carry less weight than a letter from the chair at a major academic center.

That said, you want to get letters of reference from people who know you well. You want to have a minimum of two letters from people within the specialty to which you are applying and a maximum of four. For very competitive specialties we suggest having at least three letters from with the specialty.

Should I get a letter from a big name in the specialty?

A letter from someone with a “big name” with whom you have never worked won’t be strong. The best letters come from people who know you well and have worked with you directly.

Should I only get letters from within the specialty I am applying for?

Across all specialties, program directors surveyed indicated that letters of reference in the specialty were one of the most important factors in deciding whom to interview. Ideally, we like to see three to four letters from attendings within your specialty and a minimum of two. If you have done research within your speciality, that also “counts” as a specialty letter. There is no  question that when reviewing applications I paid much more attention to letters from within my specialty.

Most influential are letters from clerkship directors, program or associate program directors and chairs within the specialty to which you are applying. Strong letters from department faculty, while they might have less weighty titles, are still valuable.

What makes for a strong residency letter of reference?

The best letters of reference are from people with whom you have worked directly and who know you well. It also helps if your letter writers like you and want to see you succeed. In other words, the strongest letters come from those who believe in you and can offer the strongest endorsements of your candidacy.

How many letters of recommendation should I have?

ERAS allows you to select four letters to be sent to each program and we recommend having at least two of these letters from attendings within the specialty to which you are applying.  Since ERAS allows you to upload multiple letters of reference which you can then assign to programs, it never hurts to ask for more letters than you need in case someone doesn’t come through. You may also have some letters you only want to send to specific programs.

For example, maybe you did a rotation at Brown and asked for a letter from an attending there. But, you don’t think the letter will be as strong as some of your others. So you don’t offend the Brown attending, select that letter to be sent only to Brown and not other programs where you are applying.

How do I nudge my letter writer?

It can get quite awkward if a letter write is late in sending in a letter. Remember, not all letter writers understand the importance of timeliness in this process. I suggest you gently remind the letter writer if they haven’t submitted their letter by September 1st. Ideally, if you see the letter writer in person, mention it to them. Alternatively, send a polite email like the one below:

Dear Dr. Smith,

I hope you are doing well. I am sure you are very busy, but, I wanted to remind you that ERAS applications start getting submitted to programs on September 15th and the ERAS system indicates they have not yet received your letter. If there is anything I can do to help expedite this process or make it easier for you, please let me know. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Sincerely, Getmein (999-999-9999)

Can I read my letters?

You should always waive your right to read letters of reference. So, no, you cannot read your letters. If your letter writer sends you the letter to read, then he or she wants you to read it and there is nothing illegal about that!

What if I am asked to write my letter?

We find that more and more attendings are asking applicants to compose letters of reference that they then sign. Why? Attendings are busy and this means they have one less thing to do! Take advantage of this opportunity and write a stellar letter!

How do I thank my letter writers?

We suggest thanking your letter writers after the letter is received and again once you match.

What is the deadline to submit ERAS letters of recommendation?

There is no firm “deadline” for letters to be submitted, but, keep in mind that many programs won’t review your application until all of your letters are received. For this reason, we suggest making sure all of your letters are submitted by September 15th.

Should my letter be addressed to someone specific?

Unless a letter writer is composing a letter for one specific program, the letter should not be addressed to an individual or program.

How do I get a Chair letter if the department chair doesn’t know me?

Many programs and medical schools require that one of your letters be from the chair of the department. If this is the case, we can assure you that the chair has a prescribed way of getting the information she needs to write a strong letter of reference. It is likely she will ask for a CV and personal statement and she may ask other department faculty to chime in or may use excerpts from your clinical evaluations. Remember, your chair wants you to match well and will write a letter that will help guarantee that as much as possible.

Where should my letters be sent?

Your medical school Dean’s office may collect your letters for you. Alternatively, you will log in to MyERAS and download a letter request form (LRF) for each letter writer. The form will have instructions for your letter write about how to upload the letter to the Letter of Reference Portal (LoRP).

If I am applying to more than one specialty does my letter writer need to write more than one letter?

Yes. Each letter should be written for the specialty to which you are applying. Therefore, if you are applying for two specialties, you should notify your letter writers about this so they can compose distinct letters for each and label them differently when uploading them to ERAS.

How do I indicate in ERAS where I want my letters sent?

Before you submit your application you will need to assign letters to individual programs. Be careful with this step especially if you are applying to two specialties or if you are not assigning all letters to all programs.

If I am an IMG, can I have letters sent from doctors in my home country?

You can have letters sent from doctors in your home country, but, unless those doctors have specific connections to residency programs in the United States, they may not be viewed favorably. Letters from U.S. attending physicians, ideally in academic medicine, are the ideal choices.

Sample Letter Of Recommendation

To whom it may concern:

It is with pleasure that I write this letter on behalf of Excellent Student who is applying for residency in surgery. I worked directly with ES for two weeks in March while he was on his core general surgery rotation at the University. During this time, I was an Associate Professor of General Surgery and Clerkship Director for General Surgery. 

ES was always an outstanding student clinically and was well above the expectations of a third year medical student. In our time together, ES cared for numerous patients on the service. Each morning, she would arrive at 5:30 AM, even before the residents and diligently gather information on overnight events, speak with nurses, record laboratory values, and interview patients on her own. Because she was often done with her work before the residents, she then assisted them with any time remaining. During morning rounds, ES always presented her patients in an organized and succinct manner. She paid close attention to details and would often question why his patients had abnormal patterns of laboratory values. She demonstrated an exceptional fund of knowledge that she applied to complex clinical situations. Furthermore, her ability to prioritize problems and create her own plan to address those issues was impressive. ES cared for each of her patients with a rare blend of compassion and sensitivity that is rare for a student her age. She also considered a patient’s family and loved ones when they were present. ES took her role seriously and patients and families often viewed him as “the doctor” rather than a medical student.

In the operating room, I was impressed with ES’s technical skills, ability to know when to step in an assist and when to stay in the background at the ready. Her level of stamina paralleled her curiosity about general surgical techniques. I remember one fairly complex cholecystectomy when the cystic artery was severed and we had to covert to an open procedure. ES expertly assisted during this procedure, staying calm, and the patient did very well. 

Residents on ES’s team remarked at how independent and hard working she was. However, ES also knew when her experience and knowledge limits were met and was not afraid to ask for help. ES was consistently pleasant, personable, easy going and demonstrated great communication skills. Everyone felt that ES was a strong team player, and a professional who would often volunteer to call consults and help with admissions that did not involve her own patients.

Intellectually ES was exceptional. She frequently sought out opportunities to broaden her knowledge base and took an active part in self-directed learning. She read independently on his own patients as well as others and offered to give presentations on various topics. ES presented at our morning conference about cholecystecomy complication and her work was at a resident’s level.

ES consistently impressed me on a daily basis and demonstrated that she is a bright and extremely motivated young woman. I am confident that she will be a tremendous asset to your department and make you proud to have her on your team. I give ES my absolute highest recommendation and consider her to be in the top 5% of students with whom I have worked with in my career. I congratulate the program that is lucky enough to recruit ES. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best regards, The Doctor

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Letters of Recommendation

LoRs must be uploaded through the ERAS Letter of Recommendation Portal by the LoR Author or their designee. It is your responsibility to follow up with LoR Authors about LoRs. 

In this Section:

Creating lor entries, confirming lor entries, downloading letter request, emailing letter request, uploading lors, assigning lors.

You must create a separate LoR entry for each LoR you intend to use during the application season. 

• Each LoR entry created can contain author name*, author title/department*, specialty to which the letter will be assigned, program director/department chair, and selection of whether to waive the right to view.* (*denotes a required field). 
• You may label LoRs you intend to assign to programs of specific specialties. The specialty field will be viewable only by applicants, their Designated Dean’s Office, and the LoR Author. Programs cannot view it. 
• The optional program director selection should be made only for LoRs written by a program director in a current or previous residency or fellowship where you trained. This selection should be used only by residents and fellows. It does not apply to rising seniors. 
• The optional department chair selection should be made only for LoRs written by a department chair where you completed a clerkship training. Group departmental letters must be signed by the team composing the letter. 
• You must indicate whether you waive your right to view the LoR for each LoR entry created. If you waive your right to view a LoR, you are not permitted to view or obtain the LoR under any circumstances. 

• Only LoRs that are Not Confirmed for Upload can be edited or deleted. Errors in any LoR that has been Confirmed for Upload can only be changed through creating a new LoR entry. 

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You must confirm a LoR entry before an associated Letter ID can be generated.  

To Confirm LoRs: 

• Mark the checkbox for the LoR entry/entries that need to be confirmed.  Note: Checkboxes can be marked individually or all at once by marking the ”select all” checkbox at the top of the column.   
• Select “Confirm” at the top of the page to the right of the LoR selection count. 
• Enter the MyERAS password and select “Confirm” to complete the process. 
• LoR entries can be confirmed only on the Letters of Recommendation page by either: 
• Selecting individual entries and selecting “Only checked” in the Confirm drop-down menu, then entering the MyERAS password to complete the process. 
• Selecting multiple entries by selecting “All on this page” or “All Records” in the Confirm drop-down menu, then entering the MyERAS password to complete the process. 
• Once a LoR entry has been Confirmed for Upload, a Letter ID will be generated and the option to print the Letter Request Form will become available under the Actions column. 
• The Letter Request Form is a PDF that includes the following: 
• LoR Author Details (as you entered them). 
• LoR Author Name.  
• LoR Author Title/Department.  
• Program Director/Department Chair Indicator (If applicable). 
• Applicant Details. 
• Full Name.  
• Preferred Name (If entered). 
• Contact Information.  
• AAMC ID.  
• ERAS Letter ID.  
• Specialty to which this letter will be assigned.  
• Waiver Indicator for rights to see the letter. 
• Letter of Recommendation Portal Instructions. 

The Letter Request Form can be downloaded as a PDF. 

The Letter Request Form can be delivered to LoR Authors via email directly from the MyERAS portal. When you choose to send the form as an email, you will have the ability to send the author a custom message. 

The Letter ID contained in the Letter Request Form must be used to upload the associated LoR through the Letter of Recommendation Portal (LoRP). 

• An accurate and valid Letter ID must be used to upload each LoR through the LoRP for each associated LoR entry. 
• Only LoR entries that have been Confirmed for Upload with the right to view (NOT waived) may be uploaded by the applicant. 
• All LoRs uploaded into the ERAS system will be watermarked with the full name on the AAMC account of the uploader along with the date and time they were uploaded. 
• A notification will be sent to the email address entered in the Personal Information section that alerts you when a LoR has been uploaded. 
• Once a LoR has been uploaded, its status will update to “uploaded” and the option to assign will become available under the Actions column. 

Note: Letter Request Forms should not be duplicated and distributed to multiple LoR Authors. They are customized for each letter and contain a unique Letter ID that can be used only once. 

You may designate the assignment of up to four LoRs to each program. 

• Only LoRs that have been uploaded can be assigned to programs. 
• LoRs assignments to programs that have been applied to cannot be changed. 
• LoRs can be assigned to any saved or applied to programs from the Letters of Recommendation page by selecting “Assign” under the Actions column of the intended LoR. 
• Programs listed with a disabled checkbox already have the maximum number of four LoRs currently assigned. 
• When assigning by LoR, you should review any LoRs that are listed under the LoRs Assigned column before making selections or changes. 
• When assigning by LoR, you will not be able to make selections for programs with a status of withdrawn. 
• LoRs can be assigned by program using the Assign option under the Actions column on both the Saved Programs and Programs Applied To pages. 
• LoR assignments can be made throughout the application season to any programs that do not have the maximum number of four LoRs currently assigned, but programs are not guaranteed to view or review newly assigned LoRs received after initial application to their program. 
• Once the maximum number of four LoRs have been assigned to any given applied to program, additional LoR assignments cannot be made during the application season. Letters cannot be replaced after being assigned to any given applied program. 
• A LoR cannot be assigned to programs that are closed. 
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Writing a Curriculum Vitae for Medical Residency

What's a curriculum vitae.

Your curriculum vitae (CV) is the next evolutionary step beyond the self-summary that made up your medical school applications. It provides a succinct chronicle of your education, training, and experience to this point. The CV (or vita) isn’t a résumé as much as it is a multipurpose declaration of your professional history, gathering your academic and employment histories alongside honors, awards, presentations, research, and organizational affiliations.

Writing Your CV

Longer isn’t necessarily better when it comes to CVs. No matter how many accomplishments you list, you won’t impress interviewers during Match season if they can’t quickly pick out two or three good reasons to choose you over someone else. Aim for concision. And remember that reverse chronological order is the most common structure.

How is Your CV Used During Medical Residency Match?

CVs are more than just a framework for Match residency interviews. Anyone providing you with a letter of recommendation will better grasp your background and aims by referring to your CV.

Strategies for Writing Your CV

• You’ll find the foundation of your CV in whatever leadership roles, research experience, scholarships, or other opportunities you undertook early in medical school, even if you haven’t previously compiled these elements in CV form. Once you’ve organized this information, update your CV every six months or so. Start with what you’re doing now and work backward.
• Including examination scores on your CV isn’t necessary. Program directors receive this information through the Electronic Residency Application Service, and those composing letters of recommendation on your behalf won’t benefit from it. 
• Keep it short. Full sentences can weigh your CV down. Your personal statement is the place for narrative, expression, and explanation.
• Your CV design and layout should be neat and simple, with plenty of space for your text to breathe. It’s the content that counts, not the look. Read  Strolling through the Match  to see a sample CV layout.

The Strolling Through the Match guide includes expanded advice and a sample CV from a fourth-year student.

Get the Guide

Eight Steps to Writing a Stronger CV

• Start now:  Chances are, you already have examples of your research, scholarship, leadership, volunteer efforts, or published work to help you stand out. 
• Keep the length short:  You won’t impress interviewers if the best reasons to choose you are on the fifth page.  
• Make your language concise:  Your CV should be succinct, not explanatory. Recap your achievements and save the details for your personal statement, bio, or cover letter. 
• Get the order right:  Arrange your CV in reverse chronological order, starting with where you are today.
• Be unique:  Application forms show what an institution wants to know about everybody, but a CV lets you put the spotlight on yourself: the key accomplishments and activities that truly set you apart.
• Customize it:  Review, restructure, or even rewrite your CV so that it’s tailored to the position you’re seeking. Consider keeping two versions handy — a short summary of your training and experience, and a longer document with sharper focus on your publications and presentations.
• When in doubt, leave it out:  Be honest and specific about your level of participation in a project or activity, and never invent or embellish.
• Ask an expert:  Your dean’s office may be able to share CV samples or other guidance, student organizations at your school may hold CV review events, and many conferences offer these services to attendees. Look for opportunities to have your CV reviewed through local and national student, medical, and specialty societies.

Eight tips to help you strengthen your CV for a successful Match.

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Nine Elements of a Medical Student's CV

• Personal Data:   Keep personal data limited to name and contact information, and use it in the header of your CV. Give your name exactly as it appears in your medical school records. Use an address, phone number, and email address that you check often.
• Education:  List your current place of learning first. Include the name of the institution, the degree sought or completed, and the date of completion or date of expected completion. Remember to include medical school, graduate education, and undergraduate education.
• Honors and Awards:  It’s appropriate to list any academic, organizational, or community awards or scholarships, but you must use your own judgment as to whether an achievement that you value would be valuable to the person reading your CV.
• Professional Society Memberships:   List any professional organizations to which you belong and the years of your membership. Include leadership positions held, if any.
• Employment Experience:   List the position, organization, and dates of employment for each work experience. Limit this list to those experiences that are medically related or that show the breadth of your work experience. You may wish to use a section header such as “Selected Employment Experience” to convey positions not directly related to your medical career but show your diverse work history.
• Extracurricular Activities:   List your outside interests, volunteer service, and extracurricular activities. These help develop a broader picture of your personality and character. Also, any special talents or qualifications that have not been given due recognition in other parts of the CV should be highlighted in this or a separate section.
• Publications and Presentations:   List any papers you’ve published or presented by title, place, and date of publication or presentation. Works accepted for publication but not yet published can be listed as “(forthcoming).”
• Personal and Professional Interests:   Include any information demonstrating your passion and drive that might not have been captured in other sections.
• References:   You may be asked to provide personal and professional references. These names may be included in the CV, appended as part of a cover letter or application form, or noted as “Provided Upon Request.”

For more detailed CV writing tips and strategies, download your free copy of Strolling Through the Match .

ERAS and Your CV: Why Both is Better

CVs are not among the standard Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®) application documents. Though residency programs can generate a report in CV format based on the information in your application, creating and maintaining your own CV allows you greater flexibility in what aspects of your education, training, and affiliations you include, and how these and other elements are structured. And it’s a document you’ll use and revise throughout your career.

ERAS® captures

• Biographical information
• Transcripts
• Publications

Preparing a stand-alone CV lets you

• Reduce time spent completing the ERAS application
• Meet some programs’ CV requirements
• Allow yourself greater flexibility about what to include
• Maximize your interview readiness
• Get a head start on documenting your entire career.

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​Applying for Residencies

• Behind the Scenes at Match Day - episode of the ASA Residents in a Room podcast
• Post Match Panel with 4th Years  (video)
• Tips for Navigating Match  (PDF)
• AAMC Timeline  - the most up to date timeline for ERAS activities

Communication Your primary method of communicating your qualifications and experiences to anesthesia residency programs is by writing a well organized and informative curriculum vitae (CV) and personal statement. These documents, in addition to your “Dean’s Letter” and letters of recommendation, will support your application.

The Curriculum Vitae The purpose of the CV is to showcase your education, skills, and experiences in a concise and articulate format. It should be an honest and accurate representation of your qualifications for anesthesiology residency training. ERAS will generate a CV for you with the information you enter. To make a separate CV in addition to the ERAS CV (ex- for individuals who will be writing your letters of recommendation), here are some basic guidelines:

• Include: Name, address, permanent address (if different), email address, and phone numbers; education: undergraduate, graduate, medical school, research experience, abstracts, publications, conference presentations, work experiences, community service and volunteer experiences; honors and achievements; professional associations; references (it is okay to state “available on request” if you prefer); and optional items (ex- foreign language ability, special skills, and other interests).
• Your CV should be a clear and concise document. Here is a template  you can use.
• Experiences are typically organized in reverse chronological order, with your current activities listed first. You can include substantial past experiences from before medical school if they will meaningfully contribute to your story.
• Work experiences
• Volunteer/community service experiences
• Research experiences
• Presentations & Publications (can include poster presentations, case studies, etc. that are currently published, awaiting publication, or submitted for publication)
• Honors & Awards (can include clinical rotation honors)
• Membership in honorary/professional societies
• Print your CV on high quality paper for a professional appearance.
• No errors in spelling or punctuation!!!
• Ask someone that knows you well about your strengths and talents.
• Read some personal statement examples. Identify styles that appeal to you and incorporate these into your personal statement.
• Think about your own special strengths, talents, qualities, interests, accomplishments, and experiences. Make a list of these. Compare the items on your list with your idea of what might make a “perfect” resident in anesthesiology. Select attributes from your personal list that resemble or support the characteristics of the “ideal” resident and incorporate these as a focus of your personal statement. DO NOT concentrate on items shared by most applicants (ex- smart and hard working). Emphasize those items that show you to be the best possible candidate for a residency training program.
• Organize your thoughts and make an outline of each paragraph. You may want to describe a meaningful experience that led you to medicine or helped you choose anesthesiology.
• Make your first paragraph attention grabbing. Its subject matter can be non-medical, as long as you connect it later in your essay. 
• Other paragraphs may describe your special skills, hobbies, or family life.
• You may want to write about your goals and what you are looking for in a training program.
• However you choose to structure your personal statement, it is important that you give a clear answer to "why anesthesiology?". Residency programs are looking for individuals who are committed to anesthesiology and demonstrate a reasonable understanding of what the field is like.
• Try to limit your personal statement to one page (on the ERAS application.)
• Consider submitting a modified or entirely different personal statement for transitional/preliminary programs.
• Consider personalizing your personal statement for your top anesthesia programs. This is often done in the final paragraph of your personal statement where you can talk about why you are interested in that program specifically and why you'd be a good fit.
• If you choose to personalize your personal statements, be sure to give your personal statements titles on ERAS (ex: Personal Statement - Program X). This will help you assign the correct statements to the correct programs. Residency programs will not see these titles. The last thing you want is a personalized personal statement going to the wrong program.
• Make your personal statement engaging!!
• Make your personal statement unique.
• Ask your faculty advisor, trusted family member or friend to review your statement. Sometimes a non-medical perspective can be helpful.
• Be sure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors!! Many medical schools have writing centers that can proofread your personal statement for you, but the ultimate responsibility falls on you.

The Dean’s Letter and Letters of Recommendation Meet with the Dean of Students to discuss your goals and review your records to ensure that your Dean’s letter will be realistic and favorable to your applications. You will have the opportunity to review your Dean’s Letter before submission. You should submit 3 to 4 letters of recommendation to each program - one department letter (if available), at least one anesthesia letter, and 1-2 letters of your choice (Surgery, Medicine, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, etc.) If your school does not offer a department letter, you can choose to submit a meaningful letter from a significant experience (research, leadership, etc.) or another anesthesia letter.

For your transitional/prelim programs, you should include a medicine/surgery recommendation letter, as well as a medicine/surgery department letter (if available.)

Find letter writers that can comment on you as an individual and on your abilities. You can start collecting letters during your 3rd year. Even if a letter writer uploads your letter to ERAS, you do NOT have to submit it with your application. The writer will not know either way. It is better to have the letter on hand and choose not to use it, rather than fall short when your application is due.

What to send to your letter writers:

• Personal Statement - it does not have to be your 100% perfected final draft
• ERAS letter of recommendation request: This form has instructions for your letter writer to upload the letter to ERAS. It is recommended that you waive your right to see your letters.
• Instructions: Include a due date, usually about 4 weeks after requesting the letter. Be sure to account for unanticipated delays when selecting the due date.

Mentors In addition to writing letters of recommendation, some mentors may be willing to review your application materials (personal statement, CV, etc.) Make sure to stay in touch with your mentors and letter writers. Keep them updated throughout the application season. If you are seriously interested in a program where you are interviewing, your mentors may be able to connect you with a resident or faculty member at that institution. However, be mindful of your mentors' busy schedules and personal levels of comfort when making any requests.

Finding Program Information The best place to find information about specific programs is the department web site.

• ASA MSC Program Director Interviews
• Program Specific Virtual Open Houses
• Residency Information by State  

Last updated by: Residency Engagement

Date of last update: May 17, 2023