How many LORs are too many?

[TopDocChick]

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Seven professors offered to write me LORs and so I sent them all links to interfolio. Now they are all uploaded there and I can send them out at my discretion. I was about to send three more to einsten (who already had four) but than I thought, what if they think I am being excessive. Obviously it is me hitting the send button. What do you all think? How many is too many for a school that does not set a maximum?

 

[armybound]

5

 

[Boogsie]

I sent eight to each school. I figured they would just stop reading when they got tired.

 

[Kthanksbye]

Personally, I think anything above 3 is ridiculous, though one school I applied to actually recommended applicants submit 5, with a minimum of 3, which is ridiculous, but I sent 4 to them and they may get another, and may not depending on what my 5th reviewer does. I'm not going to sweat it. 4 is plenty, and I went through enough to get those.

Sending more letters than requested could be risky. Some schools (I forget which ones) actually discourage this and state that it may hurt your app more than help. Read over what they ask for first.

It utterly baffles me that LORs are deemed an important part of the application process. Any schmuck can get a few of their professors to say nice things about them. Reviewers must read the same garbage on LORs ad nauseam. I have no idea what useful information they glean from them.

 

[drizzt3117]

I have individual letters from three professors, a committee letter from my postbac pre-med committee, and three outside letters from my two PIs and a former employer for a total of seven letters sent via VE. This is apparently typical for my postbac program and has never appeared to be an issue. Also, letters from a PI/employer may give a more detailed description of what you actually did for the lab/company and also describe your skills in medically related areas. I hardly think it's a formality. One of the schools I interviewed at contacted one of my recommenders.

 

[darkelven29]

Generally it's recommended 3 professors + 1 research + 1volunteer supervisor/employer/shadowed doctor. Some schools say only 4 though, so probably 3 professors + 1 research. If you have more than 5, you can save some to send with your letters of interest later on I think if the school allows.

 

[lord_jeebus]

I think 3 is a good number for professors. More, and the best ones are diluted by the weaker ones.

I would get a letter from everyone you've done significant research or community service work with.