Does a love letter work? If the question exists, it means "yes" is a possibility, so just try!
I sent mine in sealed envelopes, thinking that the traditional, sincere way of conveying my message would bring my application to attention. Out of the ~20 envelopes I sent, I received a reply from the University of Maryland Prince George Hospital. So, if you only want to send one letter, send it there: 3001 Hospital Drive, Cheverly, MD 20785. (kidding.)
The letter should be specific to that particular hospital, and I tried to express my own values in line with theirs.
Here is an example:
Dear Dr. ABC,
I am writing this letter to express my interest in the Internal Medicine Residency at Cayuga Medical Center (CMC). I am from Malaysia, which is a multi-ethnic country where Malays, Indians, Chinese, Sikhs, and other minorities live together. During my clinical years in medical school, I did my rotations in a northern state where I witnessed the stark contrast in healthcare scenes between the rural area and my hometown, Kuala Lumpur. Due to the low level of education and poverty, many patients delayed timely treatment and presented to the hospital with medical complications. Cases such as diabetic foot amputation on the first admission saddened me because the patient could have saved their limb if they had the knowledge and financial resources. Simple advice such as "checking your foot daily" could make a huge impact on the patient's quality of life.
I knew I found the right fit when I came across your residency program, which addresses the inequality of healthcare and provides means to mend the problem. I am particularly attracted to CMC because of its location in a Health Professional Shortage Area and its collaboration with Weill Cornell in improving healthcare services in the Ithaca community. This resonates deeply with my principles in medicine: bettering lives, upholding human rights, and preserving dignity.
Cayuga's IM program further fascinates me with its strong community partnerships, including Foodnet Meals on Wheels, Ithaca Free Clinic, and The REACH Project Inc. I hope to devote my time to such activities and contribute to the community's well-being apart from my clinical work in the hospital.
I believe that the training offered by your program will help me become a competent and compassionate IM physician, and I want to start my journey within the Ithaca community. I wish to learn from both CMC and Weill Cornell in delivering top-notch patient care in various social contexts. After completing the IM residency, my goal is to pursue a fellowship in Nephrology. I am passionate about chronic medical diseases, and I seek to immerse myself in high-quality, community-focused research in the future.
I foresee that with three years of superb training at your institution, I will be well-prepared to take on future challenges and serve my patients. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to speaking with you regarding my application. Thank you for considering my candidacy for your residency program.
Sincerely,
Tan
Jia Wei Tan
USMLE/ECFMG ID
And here's another one, although futile, at least I tried.
Dear Dr. QRS,
Good day, I am Jia Wei, and I am writing to express my strong interest in the Internal Medicine (IM) program offered at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). I am a 3rd generation Malaysian Chinese, and I graduated from a 5-year Doctor in Medicine (MD) program in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During my first year of medical school, I came to know about the research collaboration with Dr. Gordon H. Williams from the BWH Endocrinology department. Knowing that opportunity does not knock twice, I worked hard and applied for the competitive research program. Thankfully, I was selected to be the new intern at Longwood Clinical Research Center (CRC). I will always remember the day I held the one-way ticket to Logan International Airport, Boston. It marked the turning point of my life.
When I was in the Longwood medical area, I was constantly amazed and inspired by the people around me. I love the robust academic environment where scientists, MDs, and professionals from across the globe gather. I am very motivated by my mentor, Dr. Williams, who would go over my research findings and relentlessly help me achieve my potential. When I have a preliminary finding that I am excited to share, I head to the laboratory to find my scientist colleagues and get their ideas onboard. They taught me a great deal about molecular biology, and we cultivated a strong friendship along with scientific discoveries.
At Harvard, I can always channel my passions into learning something new. I would check the Harvard calendar every day and take every opportunity to join symposiums, classes, and grand rounds. These excellent educational experiences have broadened my horizons, and I really enjoy improving myself every day. Taking the red line subway towards MGH, I wonder where I would be if I were given the chance to continue learning at this exciting place. I would be unbelievably fortunate and extremely grateful if I could join the PGY-1 MGH IM program. I would be thrilled to represent your esteemed institution at the Boston marathon too. I foresee myself serving the diverse population in the Boston area and building a strong foundation in clinical medicine. I am also eager to continue solving the puzzle of cardiovascular diseases through translational research and to contribute to ushering in the era of precision medicine together with the fantastic research team at MGH.
"Circumstances do not make the man, they reveal him." I made up my mind that no matter what the future holds, I will always give my 101% to realizing my dream of being a competent and compassionate physician. It means a lot to me if you can kindly consider my ERAS residency application. Please let me know if you have any questions, and I am looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Jia Wei Tan, MD
I hope these examples help if you are thinking about how to write a love letter. Good luck!
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