OrthoSasquatch
Registered User
Posts: 1
(9/27/01 7:02:45 am)
Reply
LOR
Two questions about letters. First, if a program doesn't specify, is it best to send all Ortho letters or should I
send two Ortho and one non-Ortho (Plastic Surgery) letter that is fairly strong? Secondly, if three letters are
"required," will they read a fourth letter if you sent it?
IamNikolas
Registered User
Posts: 36
(9/30/01 10:44:23 am)
Reply
letters
I would think all ortho is better...but having one plastic surg letter probably won't break (or make) you.
I think they do read all 4 letters if you send them.
Ortho2002
Registered User
Posts: 41
(9/30/01 11:06:44 am)
Reply
letters
i don't know about some of you guys, but i am not sending all ortho letters. probably two ortho, one research,
and one surg letter. there are actually a few programs which require a non-surgical letter of rec. just my
$0.02.
bonehead
Registered User
Posts: 9
(10/1/01 1:03:23 pm)
Reply
four letters
i would be very careful about sending four letters. i know that NYU, which i just happened to call for a
different reason, told me explicitly NOT to send more than the three required letters.
that being said, some programs seem more relaxed:
GW - "at least two"
UConn - "at least three"
bonehead
Registered User
Posts: 10
(10/1/01 4:10:10 pm)
Reply
four letter (continued)
. . . and another thing: if you send four, and they only want three, they might randomly toss out your
strongest letter. i'd recommend that find your three best, and stick with 'em.
just my two cents (and three letters)
Ortho2002
Registered User
Posts: 43
(10/1/01 5:36:24 pm)
Reply
elusive letter
ah yes, but you have not factored in the elusive away rotation letter. i would rather have my application
"complete" and then add a strong away rotation letter late than to hold up the process completely. also, to
add to you list temple says they throw away anything more than three!
IamNikolas
Registered User
Posts: 37
(10/1/01 9:26:41 pm)
Reply
Driving ourselves crazy
Nowhere does it indicate on the NYU website not to send more than 3...so it would be ridiculous (and unfair)
for them to hold something against you if you send 4. On the other hand, Temple specifically says do NOT
send more than 3...the 4th is going on Broad Street.
But to try to figure out where to send 3 or 4 would drive anyone insane...i'm sending 4 everywhere except
Temple.
Earthdawg
Registered User
Posts: 5
(10/2/01 11:52:11 am)
Reply
LOR
Just to put everyone at ease.
The same issue arose last year. The problem is that ERAS allows up to four letters, and at least last year, the
system returned a warning if you didn't have at least four letters submitted for each program. After pulling my
hair out trying to decide which three letters to assign to 40+ programs, I bit the bullet and sent all four to
every program. I never was harassed once, and at the interviews where I was able to see my packet (quite a
few) all four letters made it into the file. My thought is that it is not worth losing much sleep over. If you have
four, send all four unless 1) You know for a fact the program will get pissed or throw one out randomly, or 2)
you consider a few programs head and shoulders above the rest and want to go the extra mile to find out
exactly what they want. Otherwise, it is unrealistic to call / e-mail 40+ programs to figure out what each one
wants exactly.
IamNikolas
Registered User
Posts: 38
(10/3/01 5:11:56 pm)
Reply
Letters
Thanks Earthdog...good advice.
bill21
Registered User
Posts: 2
(10/4/01 12:24:03 pm)
Reply
Re: LOR
i think you need to get a grip and stop worrying abou how many letters and from who.
bonehead
Registered User
Posts: 11
(10/10/01 8:25:29 pm)
Reply
another "firm" three
yale's website says:
"Three (3) letters of recommendation only"
tbone
Registered User
Posts: 5
(10/13/01 6:54:22 am)
Reply
Four Letters- Required at some programs
I know of three programs who actually require 4 letters:
Johns Hopkins
UCLA
Allegheny General
I'm sure there are more out there, so check with the programs to make sure.
