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Hi everyone,

I know that most folks agree that 3 LORs (or even 2 LORs) is the appropriate number to submit, but I have 4 really solid LORs (one from undergraduate professor, one from graduate professor, one from former boss, and one from a mentor who knows my public interest work/motivations for going to law school well). I also have 1 more backup LOR from another undergraduate professor.

So far, I've mostly submitted just the 3 LORs (the two academic and the one former boss) and have only sent the public interest geared LOR for schools that have specific public interest law programs or reputations. I've avoided sending all 4 to avoid annoying the adcomms with extra reading, but I'm wondering if that should even be a concern and if that extra LOR will do nothing but help me, as I know that it is strong.

Thoughts? I've applied to most T-14...

Do the schools list the maximum accepted as less than four? If so, I would recommend not sending it. Sending it would be a blatant disregard to their directions. If they do not limit you to less than 4, send it...it can't hurt if you are confident it is strong.

4 is the limit for most of the schools. I can't send more than the limit anyway (through LSAC).

Positions on this vary from person to person & from school to school.

i've been sending 4 (2 teachers, 1 teacher/boss, and 1 boss) with all of my applications that have allowed for it and have had a pretty successful cycle thus far. so if you think they are all strong LORs and offer different insights about you as a person, go ahead and send them all.

I assume the only way they can hurt if you are within the limits is if the LORs cast a negative light on you as an applicant, or if you just got 4 of your friends to write letters or something. I don't see how 4 good recs from legit sources could really hurt you...

That's kind of the way my thinking has been headed lately. I've already submitted my apps, but I'm going to assign the 4th LOR tonight and just send it along to the schools I haven't heard from yet. I do know that it is a strong LOR and that it will add depth to my app.

Thanks for your responses.

If they suck, yes.

Some admissions officers (from what I've learned) believe in the idea that the ability to get your message across in as little words as possible is a virtue. Brevity can be a positive thing. I believe 2 is good and sometimes best, 3 can be ideal given the circumstances, 4 is over-doing it regardless. We all want 20 pages to talk about ourselves, our lives, our goals. Hell, I'm sure almost every person on this board would write a 5 page personal statement in a heartbeat given the opportunity. But there's rules and guidelines for a reason, and that's because these people don't have 20 hours to review each file. In fact, my gut tells me they wouldn't even purposefully read the 4th one in the pile. Pick your best 3 (or the three that complement the rest of your application the best) and just go with those... If you come around to the waitlist you have 2 solid letters to submit for your LOCI's.