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1/n My friend and colleague @BilalMohammadMD tweeted recently about how to write personal letters for residency. This is my personal opinion. I note that I'm the PD for the Toronto GI program, which has a process described on the CaRMS website - applicants should follow that.
2/n This is with gastroenterology in mind. In general, the personal letter is the introduction I have to most candidates. I thoroughly read each one. Three things need to be addressed: (1) the reasons the candidate is applying to gastroenterology; (2) why the candidate thinks
3/n training with us will help them achieve their goals; and (3) what the candidate wants to highlight as the strengths of their application. This is a chance for a direct one-way conversation with the person evaluating the file to get the highlights immediately. Use it wisely.
4/n Authenticity is key. Be creative but forced creativity rubs me the wrong way. Don't write poems unless that is authentic for you. Don't start with a quote you just looked up on the internet - but do if it is meaningful to you and cogent to what you are writing about.
5/n Deciding on a specialty is complex. A thoughtful description of your process in deciding on GI really tells us a lot about you. Superficial anecdotes detailing how your first paracentesis made you realize your goal was to be the next Florence Wong, don't add much.
6/n To answer why you want to come to a program, you should know a little about the program. I realize this is hard during the pandemic with electives cancelled. But be thoughtful and personal. e.g. saying you want to come to my University because it's the best in whatever isn't
7/n saying much but saying that you want the opportunity to explore interests in a particular area, working with particular individuals, and having access to particular University resources, would be very meaningful, especially if it jives with the rest of the application.
8/n Please don't suck up. I tell everyone that clinical training programs across Canada in GI are all equally strong. I'm not the best PD in the country. And U of T knows how great it is. This is your opportunity to pump your own tires, not ours.
9/n Be honest. A lot of people want to come to Toronto because of family, because it's home, because it's a great city, because of potential future opportunities, because they can go to Raptors games, etc. It's completely OK to say that in the personal letter IMO.
10/n Get others to look it over, especially those outside of medicine. Correct spelling and grammatical errors. Show your parents when it's done (they'll be proud of it).
11/n And this is peripheral to personal letters, but I wanted to still add it here. The selections process is imperfect. If you aren't selected to a program, please don't take it personally. It is not a reflection on you personally. I hate hate writing rejection letters.
12/12 Realize that all GI programs are terrific in Canada, still consider Toronto for electives and fellowships, still stay in touch. I'll be so proud to hear what you've accomplished. /end
