Standardized Letters of Recommendation and Success in the Urology Match

Abstract

Distinguishing between top residency applicants is challenging, but crucially important to ensure the continued success of individual programs and the field as a whole. Letters of recommendation (LOR) have long served as an important tool for selection of residents. In a survey by Weissbart et al, it was among the most important factors for selection of urology residents.1 In order to overcome the shortcomings of narrative LORs (such as subjectiveness, ambiguity, low inter-rater reliability, gender bias, etc.), standardized LORs (SLORs) were introduced in several specialties.