Sending more LOR's than schools ask for?

[kgboy]

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Sorry guys if this is sort of a silly question. USC's secondary asks for 2 letters of recommendation. Does this mean that we have to send exactly 2? I have 3 strong ones, and would it hurt to just send 3 instead?

 

[Indryd]

Sorry guys if this is sort of a silly question. USC's secondary asks for 2 letters of recommendation. Does this mean that we have to send exactly 2? I have 3 strong ones, and would it hurt to just send 3 instead?

Meh, my premed committee refuses to send ANYTHING other than the package they prepare and send to EVERY school on my AMCAS. This includes a cover letter (summary type thing with the premed adviser's confidential opinion on an applicant's worthiness), a pic, I think, and ALL of the letters you gathered (I got 8, but I am getting a BA (2 letters) a BS (2 letters), have tons of shadowing with 20+ MDs (2 letters) and also work full-time in a free clinic (2 supervisor letters)).

I asked her if we could taylor the packages by school according to what they ask for (so I don't look like the tool that I am sending 8 letters to every school) and she said no, she will only send the package. I could drop some letters...but then a major part of my life would be underrepresented in my "package" so meh.

I guess my point is that if my school, which churns out a lot of premeds, is doing this package thing, then chances are lots of schools are, and most med schools are probably used to it by now.

 

[gerido]

Sorry guys if this is sort of a silly question. USC's secondary asks for 2 letters of recommendation. Does this mean that we have to send exactly 2? I have 3 strong ones, and would it hurt to just send 3 instead?

I dont' know for school that have a pre-med comittee, but I was able to send in additional letters because some secondaries give you that option. They ask for three main letters, and additional letters if you choose to.

 

[mr. sparkle]

yeah, you can usually send in additional letters after your committee letter has gotten to the them...however, i think some schools put a cap on the number that you can send in, and is usually stated somewhere on the secondary.

 

[45408]

if I were you, I'd let these schools know that you don't have a choice in what they get, because if I were reading your file, I'd be wondering why in the world I got 8 letters.

 

[Indryd]

if I were you, I'd let these schools know that you don't have a choice in what they get, because if I were reading your file, I'd be wondering why in the world I got 8 letters.

As I understand it, the committee cover letter states all that. Still, seems kind of weird, but w.e.

 

[pseudoknot]

Sorry guys if this is sort of a silly question. USC's secondary asks for 2 letters of recommendation. Does this mean that we have to send exactly 2? I have 3 strong ones, and would it hurt to just send 3 instead?

From the Keck instructions:

Letters of recommendation or evaluations must be sent to the Admissions Office. All letters should be accompanied by the Letters of Recomendation Cover Sheet to improve the processing of your application. If you would like to provide additional letters for consideration, they will be included in your file. However, they will not be considered in place of the required two letters. The receipt of additional letters will not be reflected on your status check and no inquiries regarding additional letters will be answered.

Send letters of recommendation to:

Keck School of Medicine
Office of Admissions
1975 Zonal Ave., KAM 100C
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9021