More LOR's than required?

[FLaCoPHaRm]

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Hey guys...I am applying to a school that required 3 LOR's 2 from science professors and 1 from humanities pharmacist LOR recommended and replaces a professor's LOR). I met with pharmacist at my local pharmacy which I have known for a while and he offered to write an LOR for me, so he did. He interviewed me over the phone and wrote it. I work at a pharmacy (not a chain) at the register (not a tech) and shadow the pharmacist from time to time. She now offered to write the LOR for me. My question is... what would PharmCAS or the schools do when they see 4 letters and 2 are from pharmacist? I am sure the pharmacists I shadow has more to say than the other.

 

[WhiteSnows]

I would not add 2 letters from pharmacist into pharmcas. It causes confusing to them, and school as well. You should pick the letter that reflects your true ability to succeed in school.

 

[FLaCoPHaRm]

Why would it be confusing to them? I was just wondering if the school would have access to all 4 letters even though they only require 3. How would I explain how I never got an LOR from the pharmacist that works at the same pharmacy I work at? Do think that can even come up in an interview?

 

[FLaCoPHaRm]

By the way, I am genuinely asking. If I sound like a prick that isn't my intention at all.

I figured the more the better. Right now I can't delete any LOR's that have been submitted and I already have that one family pharmacist LOR but not the one I work with. I would prefer the an LOR with a pharmacist that has seen my interests to be a pharmacist first hand. I don't what the other PharmD wrote but I am sure he can't provide that much in depth info about me.

 

[The Recoverer]

Hey guys...I am applying to a school that required 3 LOR's 2 from science professors and 1 from humanities pharmacist LOR recommended and replaces a professor's LOR). I met with pharmacist at my local pharmacy which I have known for a while and he offered to write an LOR for me, so he did. He interviewed me over the phone and wrote it. I work at a pharmacy (not a chain) at the register (not a tech) and shadow the pharmacist from time to time. She now offered to write the LOR for me. My question is... what would PharmCAS or the schools do when they see 4 letters and 2 are from pharmacist? I am sure the pharmacists I shadow has more to say than the other.

Flaco, for programs I've called, they said that if there are more than the required LORs, they will pick and choose out of the pile that you have. It is normal for students to have more LORs than required. This is because many programs required only 2 LORs, while others require 3 or 4. I'm pretty sure you are fine as schools will be able to see WHO wrote your pharmcas LORs.

Either way, you should only ask references who can provide a positive LOR (neutral at the worst), therefore, this shouldn't hurt your chances I would say. Best of luck!

 

[FLaCoPHaRm]

Thank you recoverer. The first pharmacist that wrote me the LOR (the one that i don't work with) should be somewhat positive. He was helping me out because the pharmacist I was out because of an injury when I was doing my PHARMCAS. Now she is back and is insisting I let her write it. I know 100% she will write some great things since we interact with each other on a day to day basis.

I was just hoping it wouldn't red flag the adcom to have 2 pharmacist, one that doesn't even work in the same pharmacy.

 

[The Recoverer]

Thank you recoverer. The first pharmacist that wrote me the LOR (the one that i don't work with) should be somewhat positive. He was helping me out because the pharmacist I was out because of an injury when I was doing my PHARMCAS. Now she is back and is insisting I let her write it. I know 100% she will write some great things since we interact with each other on a day to day basis.

I was just hoping it wouldn't red flag the adcom to have 2 pharmacist, one that doesn't even work in the same pharmacy.

I understand your concern that adcoms may think you just grabbed a random pharmacist from the street and made her write you a LOR

It's ok though, If your first pharmacist write you a good LOR, Adcoms will trust that pharmacists are very trustworthy and she wouldn't purposely write you a good letter if she hasn't had at least SOME level of interaction with you. Good luck.