How many recommendations is considered too many?

[yjj8817]

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I think I can submit 6 letters. Is that too many? Will that be detrimental to my app?

 

[ndafife]

1. Look at school limits. Some don't want more than 3 or 4, and are specific about the sources of those LORs

2. Do those letters give additional perspective on you? I've seen a good breakdown as 2 science faculty, 1 non-science faculty, 1 research, 1 clinical.

 

[nwts]

Are your letters part of a committee letter packet or individual letters?

 

[gannicus89]

It depends. Some schools take a max of 3, some take a max of 10. You should apply LORs as necessary. I generally gave the maximum that a school would accept.

 

[yjj8817]

Are your letters part of a committee letter packet or individual letters?

My letters are all individual.

I didn't realize schools have limits for letters...I will check.

 

[nwts]

My letters are all individual.

I didn't realize schools have limits for letters...I will check.

Make sure not to check only on hard limits, but also on recommendations from medical schools. Some say something like: "We'll take up to 5, but we do not recommend that you send more than 3 unless you feel that any additional letters can provide something meaningful that the others cannot." In that case, you should think really hard before sending more than 3. They won't look kindly on people who seem to have sent 5 just to send 5.

 

[Winged Scapula]

My letters are all individual.

I didn't realize schools have limits for letters...I will check.

Yes, do not send MORE than the maximum allowed (which will vary by school).

At best it doesn't add to your application. At worst it looks like you cannot follow instructions.

 

[yjj8817]

Can you choose on amcas which one to send to schools? I don't have to send all 6 if I didn't want to, is that correct?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Can you choose on amcas which one to send to schools? I don't have to send all 6 if I didn't want to, is that correct?

That is correct.