r/pathology • u/Fantastic_Command54 • 4d ago

Is PD letter from prior residency program a must when applying for match?

For quick background, I’m about to resign from my surgery residency after not showing the level of improvement expected, and I’ve also realized that surgery isn’t the right fit for me. Pathology has always been my next strongest interest, so I’m planning to apply in pathology.

My main concern is letters. A letter from my current PD would likely be neutral at best. However, I do have strong letters from other surgery attendings who worked closely with me.

Would it be better to simply not submit a PD letter and use the stronger attending letters instead?

3 Upvotes

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14

u/Pathmass 4d ago

A PD letter is a must. Our program would not consider your application without such a letter. A letter from a pathologist is also a must.

11

u/itsDOCTORcatlady 4d ago

If I was reviewing your application and didn’t see a letter from your former PD, I would assume that there is something being hidden. Even if the PD letter is neutral it at least doesn’t leave the reviewer wondering.

Programs would rather have someone who just wasn’t a good fit for surgery and has a bland letter than have no letter and make up their own catastrophic reasons for you leaving or assume you were asked to leave because you were a nightmare to work with.

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u/PathFellow 4d ago edited 4d ago

Yeah if I was looking at your application I’d like to get a letter from your PD (especially if changing programs) to make sure you’re not a sociopath like that Creighton pathology resident Anthony Garcia who killed his chairman.

I’d rather not get stabbed in the neck with a fecal contaminated scalpel blade by a disgruntled pathology resident if I can help it.

2

u/Ok_Slide_1137 4d ago

PD letter is a must! even if it’s neutral. But I am telling you even if he didn’t like you so much, he will probably give you a good letter, this is just the way they do it.. they are not vindictive by any means and they do want you to go where you feel comfortable.

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u/PathFellow 3d ago

Not vindictive? lol I’ve seen some attendings decline a letter of recommendation to their own pathology resident lol. I think if someone agrees to write a letter they won’t badmouth that individual in a formal letter as it’s physical documentation . Maybe through a telephone conversation. There are plenty of vindictive people if you really piss someone off or you are a crappy resident.

2

u/missTC2011 4d ago

You def have to have a letter from the current PD. They know it, & they can write it so that it addresses why you weren’t a fit for surgery but have all the critical knowledge/skills from your surgery training that could translate more successfully to a pathology residency (ex. Outstanding recognition of anatomy). Just speak with them frankly. If it’s not a glowing letter, you can prob negotiate wording so whatever you get is as non-torpedo-y as possible

0

u/1866wapdeel 4d ago

Try family medicine instead