How many letters to assign

[duckie99]

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So what's your guys' take? If a program only requires 2 is that the number we should send? What if it turns out that the 3rd or even 4th letter is a little stronger?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I would always send 3 letters at a minimum. Four is fine. The main reason not to send 4 right now is if you expect a later letter -- from a SubI or some other experience -- that you'll want to add later.

 

[pullandbear]

Do you count the MSPE and the "Chair Letter" in these 3?

 

[gutonc]

Do you count the MSPE and the "Chair Letter" in these 3?

MSPE No, Chair Yes

 

[Sergey911]

If a programs website specifically says they want 3 letters of recommendation are they going to throw away my application/be annoyed if I send 4 letters?

 

[DM27]

If a programs website specifically says they want 3 letters of recommendation are they going to throw away my application/be annoyed if I send 4 letters?

I had a friend that did this last year. She said that some programs contacted her and said she needed to tell them which 3 to use, some send snarkier emails than others. Other programs implied they just arbitrarily picked 3.

 

[Dermapplicant01]

What about 5 letters?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

ERAS only lets you send 4 max.

Given the comments above, I guess if programs ask for only 3 letters, that's what you should send.

 

[anisotropy]

Where do you exactly find our how many letters a program wants?

 

[chessknt]

Where do you exactly find our how many letters a program wants?

Their websites. Quite a few programs do not specify.