LOR Question (how many and from who)

[tino33]

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How many LOR's are we supposed to have with our application? I heard people say around 5 or 6 or more. Is that true?

Also who should I get an LOR from? I'm planning on asking:

2 Chemistry professors (1 from UC, 1 from my community college)
1 Biochem professor
1 PI from research project
1 Executive director of a nonprofit that I worked at for 5 years
1 Trustee of my old college that I served with on the board of trustees

Is there any other area that is essential to cover? and how do think these letters will fare?

Thank you for your time : )

 

[Swagster]

When should I start asking for letters of recommendation? Is it too early to do it during freshman or sophomore years?

 

[mspeedwagon]

A lot of schools require one non-science professor. That would be the only other area I can see that is not covered.

How many LOR's are we supposed to have with our application? I heard people say around 5 or 6 or more. Is that true?

Also who should I get an LOR from? I'm planning on asking:

2 Chemistry professors (1 from UC, 1 from my community college)
1 Biochem professor
1 PI from research project
1 Executive director of a nonprofit that I worked at for 5 years
1 Trustee of my old college that I served with on the board of trustees

Is there any other area that is essential to cover? and how do think these letters will fare?

Thank you for your time : )

 

[mspeedwagon]

In theory no, but in practice schools like to see recent LORs (within a year). I'd start about a year before applying at the earliest (unless you feel you'll have a stellar recommendation that you would not otherwise have).

If your school has a pre-med service that allows you to store LORs, it won't hurt to start at the very end of your sophomore year (assuming you intend to apply end of junior year). If they do not, then pay for interfolio.

When should I start asking for letters of recommendation? Is it too early to do it during freshman or sophomore years?

 

[Swagster]

Thank you mspeedwagon. I'll wait a while bfore starting to collect them.

 

[tino33]

A lot of schools require one non-science professor. That would be the only other area I can see that is not covered.

Do the schools read all 6 or 7 LORs or do they only read like 2 or 3?

 

[Ilovewater]

Do the schools read all 6 or 7 LORs or do they only read like 2 or 3?

Some schools will set a limit on the number of letters. I think some of them tell you to stop at 4 or 5...check with the school before you send them that many.