Optimum number of Letters of Reference

[EdLongshanks]

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I am starting my Interfolio file and I wonder how many letters of reference I need.

From Professors I have a really spectacular letter from a Rhodes scholar and best selling author who taught the classics. I can get one from my Genetics/Bio teacher and another from my Physics teacher. We got along well. That should be enough there.

For Doctors, I'll get one from a DO that I shadow a little and a MD that I shadowed a long time and is my son's physician, so he knows me pretty well.

For personal/work I have the chief editor of the newsletter that I help edit. He is also my pastor.

What else do I need?

 

[LingoLaine]

That should do it. I believe most schools request 3-5 and leave it up to you.

 

[DrMidlife]

Wisconsin had the most specific requirements I've seen: 3 science faculty, 1 non-science faculty, plus more if you want (employer etc).

You should be fine.

 

[EdLongshanks]

Wisconsin had the most specific requirements I've seen: 3 science faculty, 1 non-science faculty, plus more if you want (employer etc).

You should be fine.

Is the letter from the pastor/editor a problem?

 

[DrMidlife]

Is the letter from the pastor/editor a problem?

Not a problem imho. The only real impact from an LOR is if it's unbelievably bad or unbelievably good or from an excom's college roommate or golf buddy or whatnot. You're pretty much supposed to just successfully jump through the hoops to get the required number of faculty letters.

 

[vanslix]

I am starting my Interfolio file and I wonder how many letters of reference I need.

Texas limited it to just two and if you weren't in school, one had to be your supervisor at your job. I'd just make sure to have one from an MD.

 

[Valvool]

The most LORs required for any one program to which I applied was six (this happened to be the program into which I was accepted). I used one from my squad leader (I was a volunteer EMT in AK), one from the former town mayor, one from the PA who functioned as the town doctor, and three from professors, two science, one non-science. Sounds like you have a similar mix.