Asking for letters of recommendation

[flillia]

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Hi all,

I went to ask one of my professors for letters of rec for five programs but was informed that there's an unwritten rule where it's impolite to ask anyone for over three. Has anyone else heard of this rule? I'm sort of sunk if so, I'm hoping to apply to ~7 programs and I don't have 7 people that I could get strong letters of recommendation from..

 

[fiorio]

i personally never heard of it
i asked 3 ppl to write my letters, it would be the same for all 7 programs to apply
just change to whom the letters are addressed to

 

[bacillus1]

I am applying to 9 programs and I'm having people write 7,8 and 9 letters. They seem to be fine with that. It would be really hard if the max was 3, would have to ask 9 people to write letters, that's just absurd.

 

[confettiflyer]

Hi all,

I went to ask one of my professors for letters of rec for five programs but was informed that there's an unwritten rule where it's impolite to ask anyone for over three. Has anyone else heard of this rule? I'm sort of sunk if so, I'm hoping to apply to ~7 programs and I don't have 7 people that I could get strong letters of recommendation from..

Never heard this rule. +1 for what bacillus said.

 

[gotdrugs]

I get asked to write for >3 programs every time. It's not a "rule"

From our end, it's not that much extra work to write for 9 as it is for 3. (HINT: the letters going out are going to be very similar, some recs will use just the same one and change the contact names. Personally, I do try to personalize it just a tad if there is a notable difference for each program)

 

[Sparda29]

Yep, I asked for 9 letters from 3 writers. I made it very easy for the writers and gave them info on all the programs and all the contacts there.

 

[MustLoveDrugs]

Are you confusing asking for >3 letters from a reference with sending >3 letters of recommendation to a program that only asks for 3?

Either way, just ask all of your references to write letters to the 7 programs to which you are applying. Just make the task as easy as possible by doing things like giving them stamped envelopes addressed to each program and sending them a document with the program name and contact person so they can copy and paste that information into each letter.

Hi all,

I went to ask one of my professors for letters of rec for five programs but was informed that there's an unwritten rule where it's impolite to ask anyone for over three. Has anyone else heard of this rule? I'm sort of sunk if so, I'm hoping to apply to ~7 programs and I don't have 7 people that I could get strong letters of recommendation from..