Last minute LOR question

[plsaxepme]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I should probably know the answer to this at this point, but... I don't, so maybe one of you guys can help me! 😀

All the programs I'm applying to require 3 LORs, which they have all uploaded. I have a 4th letter from a medicine attending, which I am positive is a generic letter because he writes one for every student rotating through his department (which is nice of him, since I didn't ask him for one). I also have another option of trying to get an LOR from another psych attending that I did a research elective with, but truthfully I am somewhat reluctant to follow that through because it's one of those write-it-yourself-and-he'll-edit-it deals, and since it was a research elective there's not much I can say about patient interaction, teamwork... I'm just not sure what to write. Also, it's pretty late in the game to get those LORs in, and I'm feeling pretty lazy.

SO, (sorry to hem and haw), should I bother trying to get this last LOR? Will programs read an extra 4th LOR? How will they know it's supplementary (ie, not to weigh it as much as the other ones)? I've searched old threads and people have talked about a 4th, supplementary letter, but I have not read anything about when PDs actually read it.

Thanks in advance to any kind souls who can answer my inquiry!

PS: All my letters were waived so I have no idea what they say. I had the first 3 assigned as soon as they got in, which now I am getting all insecure about because other people in my class had their advisors read them and tell them which ones to send to which program. Now I feel like I should have waited for all 4 or 5, and then have my advisor pick 3. Oh well! 😳

 

[BobA]

Just depends on what programs you are applying to. Some schools ask for four letters, others ask for three, some ask for a letter from the chair of the department at your school. So it just depends on where you want to apply.