Number of Letters of Recomendation (LOR's)

[PSU2002]

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We were told by a dean to submit no more LOR's than asked for on the FREIDA site as this often upsets program directors. Has anybody else heard this? I have 4 good letters, but most programs only request 2 or 3.

 

[earmuffs]

We were told by a dean to submit no more LOR's than asked for on the FREIDA site as this often upsets program directors. Has anybody else heard this? I have 4 good letters, but most programs only request 2 or 3.

Seattle's the only one I know of that wants 4...

 

[Doctora Foxy]

I'm also curious as to what you guys think of submitting 4 LORs to all programs. My dean says generally not to, but the Peds program director at my school says to submit all 4.

I just can't pick which 3 to choose....

what do you guys think?

 

[14022]

I'm also curious as to what you guys think of submitting 4 LORs to all programs. My dean says generally not to, but the Peds program director at my school says to submit all 4.

I just can't pick which 3 to choose....

what do you guys think?

If a program requests 3 LOR's, why would you even think about submitting 4? What additional help will a 4th letter do for your application. Is the program going to say, "We really didnt believe the nice things said in the first 3 letters. Thank God we have the 4th letter to confirm the nice comments."? Of course not. All a 4th letter will do is show that you cannot follow simple directions. Pick the best 3 letters and submit them, unless a program asks for additional letters.

Also, I have been told that regardless of how many letters you submit to a program, they will only include the first 3 (ie, the number that they request) as part of your application.

 

[StringBean]

I submitted 4 letters to all the programs I applied to. I just couldn't decided which to leave out. One actually isn't in yet so maybe it won't matter. I did call my top choice 1st though to see how they felt about receiving 4 letters and they said 'no problem'! I wouldn't go for any more than 4 though!

 

[banders]

i also talked to my top choice and they said submit 4 (even though it says 3), and that it isn't a problem at all.

 

[futureped]

Hey all,
I called some places and specifically asked this question (if it wasn't indicated on their website). If I couldn't get in touch with anyone, I just sent in 4. Most places said they didn't care, it could be up to 4, but some places had a specific number (and preferences regarding chairman's letter-vs-no chairman's letter). I don't see the harm in it. If you have 4 letters and they only want three, well they can throw one away. Right?

 

[carpe diem]

Carpe