How many letters of recommendation did you send to these places?

[DoctorWannaBe]

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Several of the programs I'm applying to don't state how many letters of recommendation are required, or if extra letters are allowed, so I was wondering if anyone knows?

OHSU: website says 2, but FREIDA says 3
CHLA: 2
UCLA: 3 (website hasn't been updated since last year)
UCSD: "minimum of 3"
GWU: no instructions
Phoenix Children's: no instructions


How many letters did everyone send to these places? I've sent three to them all, but am wondering if I can send four or if I should just email them and ask if that's ok.

 

[165808]

I just sent four to everyone -- and the same four at that. Two peds, one EM, and the chairman's letter. Normally, I think most would have said don't send the chairman's letter to everyone unless they specifically request it, but I had an idea that it would actually be somewhat of a strong letter since I actually knew the guy (which is kind of unusual), so I did it. Four is the maximum that you can do through ERAS, I believe. As far as I know, most programs usually specify a minimum, not a maximum. Five or six is obviously too many, but from what I've heard, three or four is just perfect. I hope.

(I'm not so sure I want to hear others' responses, since I've already submitted it all, haha) 😡

 

[DoctorWannaBe]

I just sent four to everyone -- and the same four at that. Two peds, one EM, and the chairman's letter. Normally, I think most would have said don't send the chairman's letter to everyone unless they specifically request it, but I had an idea that it would actually be somewhat of a strong letter since I actually knew the guy (which is kind of unusual), so I did it. Four is the maximum that you can do through ERAS, I believe. As far as I know, most programs usually specify a minimum, not a maximum. Five or six is obviously too many, but from what I've heard, three or four is just perfect. I hope.

(I'm not so sure I want to hear others' responses, since I've already submitted it all, haha) 😡

So far I only submitted 4 to the places that specifically stated they would accept more than 3. I've heard before that if you submit more than they ask for that it looks like you can't follow directions. I'm curious to hear more responses though.

 

[165808]

Hmm. With the conflicting info on the specific sites and FREIDA, you never know. Some residency sites haven't been updated in years, while FREIDA is supposed to be current. Three, four, whatever, as long as you're not blatantly going against what they say on their site, it should be fine. I've never heard of a stigma being attached to sending more than the minimum requirements (obviously not more than four, though).

Now I'm scared. Whatever, it wasn't even my question to begin with!! I need to take some deep breaths and go to sleep now, I think.

 

[DoctorWannaBe]

Hmm. With the conflicting info on the specific sites and FREIDA, you never know. Some residency sites haven't been updated in years, while FREIDA is supposed to be current. Three, four, whatever, as long as you're not blatantly going against what they say on their site, it should be fine. I've never heard of a stigma being attached to sending more than the minimum requirements (obviously not more than four, though).

Now I'm scared. Whatever, it wasn't even my question to begin with!! I need to take some deep breaths and go to sleep now, I think.

Sorry to freak you out! I'm thinking it will be ok, because it the requirements are so ambiguous sometimes.

 

[165808]

It's ok -- I'm easy freak-outable. 😉

 

[nighttrain]

I sent 4 letters to all my programs and got an interview at CHLA, so they shouldn't penalize you for that.

 

[DoctorWannaBe]

I sent 4 letters to all my programs and got an interview at CHLA, so they shouldn't penalize you for that.

Thanks for the advice. By the way, is your application complete or did you do an away rotation at CHLA? I haven't heard of them offering interviews to anyone else?

 

[nighttrain]

hey, my application is complete in terms of all the letters being in and transcripts/USMLE sent, but no dean's letter of course. I did not do an away at CHLA, but I'm excited to check it out.

 

[165808]

I read this on the ERAS forum, and thought I'd post the link to it since aProgDirector weighed in on it....

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=447112

 

[Violinrose]

if you have a question, then you should ask email/call the program. the places in cali that i contacted said they accept 4 letters because that is the max number eras allows you to designate.