Session Design Submission Review

Yes

• Clerkship Directors

Residency applications continue to grow more challenging, with fewer objective data points available to evaluate candidates. In response, programs increasingly emphasize holistic review. Within this evolving landscape, the role of the “Chair letter” in surgical applications warrants reexamination.

While many specialties have moved away from Chair letters in favor of evaluations from away rotations and standardized letters—believing these better reflect applicants’ clinical performance—surgery has yet to reach consensus. Simultaneously, the adoption of standardized letters has yielded mixed results, further complicating the evaluation process.

This 60-minute panel will explore the current and future role of the Chair letter in surgical residency applications. Perspectives will be shared by UME clerkship directors and mentors, General Surgery and Surgical Subspecialty Program Directors, and Surgery Chairs. The discussion will contrast traditional Chair letters with emerging non-traditional formats, aiming to clarify their value and limitations.

The final 20 minutes will be dedicated to audience engagement, fostering dialogue and working toward consensus on best practices. Given the topic’s relevance across the UME-to-GME continuum, this session is well-suited for joint interest between ASE and APDS.

Articulate the current role the Chair’s letter plays in describing surgery applicants.

Differentiate how program directors interpret the Chair’s Letter.

Assess how surgical subspecialties incorporate a Chair's Letter into applications.

Implement a plan of when and how to utilize a Chair’s letter in the surgery application.