Too many references in PTCAS

[Phyline]

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Is having too many references loaded into PTCAS bad?

For example, my strongest letters are coming from two employers. So schools that don't require a professor would be fine. But some schools would only accept one from an employer and another must be from a professor. So I need to add a professor. And some schools want two PTs. So I need to add another PT to the application. But if I have two PTs, two employers, and a professor all hanging in PTCAS, does that look like I'm grasping at straws?

 

[southernswimmer]

Schools will pick and choose the letters from whom they want. So, if one school wants letters from 2 PTs and 1 professor, it'll read those letters and ignore the rest.

I believe you're limited to 4 references, though. I hate to say it, but you'll have to pick and choose the 4 you need between all your schools' requirements.

 

[davidtheusername]

No harm in having more references than a school needs. Worst that could happen is that they just ignore some of your references, so if that happened they may not end up looking at the strongest reference.

 

[ptlover]

I used all 4 references and was fine. 🙂 your limit is 4 so I would suggest 1 employer because most schools like to see letters from PTs or professors

 

[Azimuthal]

Some schools read the number they tell you to submit, no more.

 

[DesertPT]

drop the lesser of the two employer letters

 

[Romazicon]

^Agreed. Keep the PTs and Professor on there. If anything, you can tell one of your employers to send their letter through an email to the school (program admissions coordinator). I had 5 references for one school with one of them sent through e-mail. I didn't know this till after I was accepted; one of the PT's took action and sent them a letter through e-mail without my knowledge which was a plus. So you never know.