Switching letter writers in the 7th inning

[Ergo]

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does it look bad to designate a letter writer and then switch to someone else later? The person hasnt submitted the letter yet - its a fourth letter from someone well known who Ive done research with recently.
The letter I would substitute is from a chairman of oralmaxillofacial surgery at my home program - he knows me well, and has been a personal friend for 3 years and a career mentor - he told me he wrote me his strongest letter, and his secretary even mentioned her amazement at the letter. But most general surgeons wouldnt know him.
I sent the letter to the few programs that know him already, but Im trying to decide whether to send it to Brigham, UMich, Emory etc top GS choices where I was holding out for the famous guy letter. The problem is that I wouldnt even ask the famous guy until next week, so that letter wouldnt get in until thanksgiving at the earliest.

Do the program directors consider letter's source, or would they be more interested in the fact that the home school OMFS chairman knows me better?

Will it be noticed and if so is it a red flag if a 4th designated letter gets switched before the letter of rec is uploaded?

Will my otherwise complete application be considered sans letter #4, with a fourth letter pending like it is at this time(when most programs only require 3 letters...?)

Thanks folks.

 

[toxic-megacolon]

does it look bad to designate a letter writer and then switch to someone else later? The person hasnt submitted the letter yet - its a fourth letter from someone well known who Ive done research with recently.
The letter I would substitute is from a chairman of oralmaxillofacial surgery at my home program - he knows me well, and has been a personal friend for 3 years and a career mentor - he told me he wrote me his strongest letter, and his secretary even mentioned her amazement at the letter. But most general surgeons wouldnt know him.
I sent the letter to the few programs that know him already, but Im trying to decide whether to send it to Brigham, UMich, Emory etc top GS choices where I was holding out for the famous guy letter. The problem is that I wouldnt even ask the famous guy until next week, so that letter wouldnt get in until thanksgiving at the earliest.

Do the program directors consider letter's source, or would they be more interested in the fact that the home school OMFS chairman knows me better?

Will it be noticed and if so is it a red flag if a 4th designated letter gets switched before the letter of rec is uploaded?

Will my otherwise complete application be considered sans letter #4, with a fourth letter pending like it is at this time(when most programs only require 3 letters...?)

Thanks folks.

I think changing out the letter is fine, and if they are concerned about it, they'll probably bring it up in your interview, and you have a good reason why you changed it out. I don't think they'd consider it a 'red flag.'

As for the surgery chair letter vs. really strong OMFS chair letter... I'll defer the answer to that qusetion to someone else... Arguements could be made both ways.