LOR Question

[DoubleOSeven]

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When schools say that they want 2 letters of rec from science professors, 1 from a humanities prof, and 1 from a physician...is that all set in stone? what if someone submits 1 LOR from a science prof and 2 from humanities profs? the point is to have the best possible letters right?

 

[DD214_DOC]

I'm usually pretty tolerant and laid back, but why even bother to type this? If the school asks for 2 science, 1 humanities, and 1 physician, you send them 2 science, 1 humanities, and 1 physician.

 

[luckystar]

Well, I mean, if you really had to, just call them and ask them if you can make any substitutions. Just don't force the issue if it sounds like their requirements are pretty much set in stone, which is usually the case.

 

[Febrifuge]

Sad but true: a big part of the hoop-jumping is a subtle test of how well the applicant follows instructions. It's certinaly not impossible to bend the rules, but simply sending something other than what they're asking for seems unwise.

I guess the underlying theory is, the ideal applicant would have a whole wide range of professors just dying to write letters on her behalf; if the school asks for letters from 2 science profs, a humanities prof, and a doc, then I would say the subtext is that (according to the school) you should be able to get them. If you send 1 science-prof letter and 2 humanities-prof letters, then at least be prepared to answer questions like "why couldn't you get 2 letters from science faculty?" or "what are your humanities profs covering up for you?"

See what I mean? It's probably not be the case that you couldn't get another science letter, or that you're buddies with the humanities profs and they're being intentionally rosy... but that could be how it looks. So wouldn't it be better to not open that can o' worms?

 

[DoubleOSeven]

Well to those of you who posted, aside from jkdmed, thanks for your insight. My purpose in asking was basically because i feel i have stronger recommendations from my humanities professors instead of science profs (primarily due to class size, involvement outside of class, etc). I just wanted to know if ppl in the past have submitted other combos of the letters asked for and what hte result was. THats all. To JKDMED- the purpose of a forum like this is to be able to ask your questions and see what other people think. I think your comment "why even both to type this" was really unnecessary. If you had no insight to share about the specific question asked, then put a sock in it. But don't discourage people from asking questions. Thats really rude and defeats the purpose of the entire forum. What are you going ot do when you become a physician and people ask you questions that you think are ridiculous? Are you going to state what you said to me? I should hope not.

 

[luckystar]

Actually, I was able to have an exception made for one of my letters. Of course, I asked them if I could beforehand, and they just told me to send it in, and let me know if they'll accept it. It looks like it worked!

Good luck!