When to ask for rec letters?

[Endoxifen]

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For this coming round of applications? When should one ask for letters? Thanks!

 

[aldol16]

2-3 months before the deadline is ideal. Any earlier and they'll shelve it and forget about it until later on. Any later and you may not be giving them enough time. I would also suggest agreeing to a deadline that is ~1 week before the actual deadline to give you some time if anybody decides to turn it in "late" (you don't have to tell them the real deadline).

 

[Endoxifen]

2-3 months before the deadline is ideal. Any earlier and they'll shelve it and forget about it until later on. Any later and you may not be giving them enough time. I would also suggest agreeing to a deadline that is ~1 week before the actual deadline to give you some time if anybody decides to turn it in "late" (you don't have to tell them the real deadline).

Thanks!

 

[candbgirl]

But be sure it's before the end of the semester in case they are leaving for the summer without writing and submitting the letter and you can't track them down.


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[flapjack3d]

ASAP unless its finals week. Never too early. Stick them in interfolio.


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[Endoxifen]

Thanks everyone! Also, what is the recommended number of letters?

 

[JeffSwag]

Thanks everyone! Also, what is the recommended number of letters?

Generally, you want at least two from professors who taught you in science courses and one from a professor who taught you in a non-science course, because many schools will specify those. I had these and two extra (research/EC advisors) and had no trouble fulfilling LOR requirements anywhere I conisdered applying.