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.