Can anyone weigh in on LOR issue?

blossom
Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:35:33 +0000

And to add to this fine and comprehensive post- I’ve written before about a physician friend of mine who used up her vacation allotment to study for what she hopes is the final rounds of exams in her specialty. She’s mid-60’s, has been practicing for decades, sees patients, teaches at a prominent academic medical center, is in charge of the entire group of fellows at her hospital even those who get assigned to a different attending. And researched, published and presented a major study at a national conference last year.

AND SHE’S STILL TAKING TESTS. She was worried about her “cognitive absorption” as she put it- just slower in studying than she was at age 26 or 35, so she opted to use her vacation for a more comprehensive and thorough review (not the slapdash “any hour I can find” that used to work when she was younger).

She’s hoping to continue practicing into her 70’s (no mandatory retirement at her hospital) but even if she opts for a “half retirement” by moving into a private practice that will allow her a three day a week, no on call, no teaching, etc. , she can’t maintain her license without passing yet another set of tests.

So to all the parents of premeds out there- your kid really really really needs to get used to high stakes testing!!!