Hello all,
I am going to apply to school very soon. I have a recommendation letter from a pa, two from different instructors, and one from my employer. I've had the opportunity to shadow my grandparent's physician and he would be more than willing to write me one. Should I ask him to? In this case, is having more than three too much? Will it benefit me? The school asks for three but I wasn't sure if one of my instructors was going to write it for me. Thanks for your help
should I get more than three if I can?
Re: should I get more than three if I can?
CASPA will only accept three letters of reference - no more, and no less.
But having an extra may prove useful if there is some kind of snafu and one of them doesn't submit it in a timely fashion, etc. If you have a doc who will do it, I suggest you get the letter. If you've done a few hours (say, less than 100) with him, I would hold on to it as a backup. If you've done a significant amount of time with him/her, then you might consider using it in place of your instructors. This would give you letters some diversity (one academic, one from a PA, and one from a doc).
I would suggest this strongly if you will be able to read the letters. Some references will want you to read the letter that they have written for you, and even give you a copy. If this is possible, read them, decide which are the strongest, most flattering letters, and use those three. CASPA will not let you see the letters that you receive, but the writers can on their own, if they choose.
But having an extra may prove useful if there is some kind of snafu and one of them doesn't submit it in a timely fashion, etc. If you have a doc who will do it, I suggest you get the letter. If you've done a few hours (say, less than 100) with him, I would hold on to it as a backup. If you've done a significant amount of time with him/her, then you might consider using it in place of your instructors. This would give you letters some diversity (one academic, one from a PA, and one from a doc).
I would suggest this strongly if you will be able to read the letters. Some references will want you to read the letter that they have written for you, and even give you a copy. If this is possible, read them, decide which are the strongest, most flattering letters, and use those three. CASPA will not let you see the letters that you receive, but the writers can on their own, if they choose.