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How many LORs to send?

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 9:15 am
by 5678
I have four letters of recommendation submitted to CAS, all of which I think are fairly strong (or at least not weak). Should I send all four to every school I apply to? Or just pick the two that I think are the strongest?

Re: How many LORs to send?

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 10:11 am
by Marshmallow
Some schools (Michigan I believe?) encourage three LORs. Most schools want two academic LORs. A lot of people say to send two, and save others for waitlists. Read the app instructions carefully, and sometimes you can get a sense of how many a school wants.

I have four as well, two from college professors and two from bosses post UG. I think I have four solid LORs, but I'm still only going to send two to most schools. hth

Re: How many LORs to send?

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 10:44 am
by EvMont
You should also think about what each additional LOR can actually add to you app. If it's a matter of submitting 4 academic LORs (for example) don't do it. But, if you think that third rec will show another perspective of your awesomeness (work experience, leadership, different manifestation of your academic potential not shown in the first 2 letters) then submit the 3rd and save the 4th to use if you get waitlisted.

Re: How many LORs to send?

Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 6:19 am
by 5678
Alright thanks for the advice.

Re: How many LORs to send?

Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 8:12 pm
by Ti Malice
5678 wrote:I have four letters of recommendation submitted to CAS, all of which I think are fairly strong (or at least not weak). Should I send all four to every school I apply to? Or just pick the two that I think are the strongest?
The latter. Don't ever send a letter that you know, or have strong reason to believe, is clearly weaker than your two best letters.