How long does a letter of recommendation have to be?

[Timbo]

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I'm asking around for letter of recommendations. I get asked, how long does a LOR have to be? I hear 2-3 paragraphs would be just fine. Also I see most schools recommend 2 from professors, and 1 from a pharmacist. Would it be ill-adivsed to get one from a volunteer coordinator instead of a professor?

 

[owlegrad]

I'm asking around for letter of recommendations. I get asked, how long does a LOR have to be? I hear 2-3 paragraphs would be just fine. Also I see most schools recommend 2 from professors, and 1 from a pharmacist. Would it be ill-adivsed to get one from a volunteer coordinator instead of a professor?

I never saw that. 😕

You should do whatever the school tells you do, but I doubt many schools require two LOR's be from professors. If the volunteer coordinator can write you a great LOR, I say go for it.

 

[sde780]

WVU requires 2 from science professors and 1 from a pharmacist.

 

[doc toothache]

I'm asking around for letter of recommendations. I get asked, how long does a LOR have to be? I hear 2-3 paragraphs would be just fine. Also I see most schools recommend 2 from professors, and 1 from a pharmacist. Would it be ill-adivsed to get one from a volunteer coordinator instead of a professor?

And you think they would carry equal weight?

 

[Timbo]

And you think they would carry equal weight?

I don't know. On one hand, a letter from a volunteer coordinator would probably show initiative and willingness to work extra hours etc. whereas a letter from a professor would portray me as just another guy who shows up to class, takes exams, and gets As. On the other hand, maybe a professor's words hold more weight because he or she has a PhD.

 

[doc toothache]

I don't know. On one hand, a letter from a volunteer coordinator would probably show initiative and willingness to work extra hours etc. whereas a letter from a professor would portray me as just another guy who shows up to class, takes exams, and gets As. On the other hand, maybe a professor's words hold more weight because he or she has a PhD.

You need to point this out to the Deans of Admissions in all US dental school. They appear to be clueless as to who should write an lor.