Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 03:14 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 03:14
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Nsentra
User avatar
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Last visit: 23 May 2008
Posts: 370
Own Kudos:
319
Posts: 370
Kudos: 319
Quicky: number of recommendations Updated on: 06 Nov 2006, 19:27
Originally posted by Nsentra on 06 Nov 2006, 17:36.
Last edited by Nsentra on 06 Nov 2006, 19:27, edited 1 time in total.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most schools are asking for just two recommendations.

But I have 3 or 4 great current recommendations. Is it ok to fulfill the main requirement of 2 and send these additional recommendations or will that hurt me?

Thank you.
User avatar
rhyme
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 05 Apr 2006
Last visit: 02 Dec 2024
Posts: 5,909
Own Kudos:
3,172
Given Kudos: 7
Affiliations: HHonors Diamond, BGS Honor Society
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2009
GMAT 1: 730 Q45 V45
WE:Business Development (Consumer Packaged Goods)
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2009
GMAT 1: 730 Q45 V45
Posts: 5,909
Kudos: 3,172
Quicky: number of recommendations 06 Nov 2006, 17:52
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hurt you.

Don't send more than what they ask for unless it truly adds something special to your application.
User avatar
Nsentra
User avatar
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Last visit: 23 May 2008
Posts: 370
Own Kudos:
319
Posts: 370
Kudos: 319
Quicky: number of recommendations 06 Nov 2006, 18:18
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
rhyme
Hurt you.

Don't send more than what they ask for unless it truly adds something special to your application.
Show more


thanks rhyme, that's what I suspected, but a person (a recent graduate from a school I am applying to) who is mentoring me in this process is suggesting to submit as many good recommendations as I can...
User avatar
rhyme
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 05 Apr 2006
Last visit: 02 Dec 2024
Posts: 5,909
Own Kudos:
3,172
Given Kudos: 7
Affiliations: HHonors Diamond, BGS Honor Society
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2009
GMAT 1: 730 Q45 V45
WE:Business Development (Consumer Packaged Goods)
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2009
GMAT 1: 730 Q45 V45
Posts: 5,909
Kudos: 3,172
Quicky: number of recommendations 06 Nov 2006, 18:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Nsentra
rhyme
Hurt you.

Don't send more than what they ask for unless it truly adds something special to your application.

thanks rhyme, that's what I suspected, but a person (a recent graduate from a school I am applying to) who is mentoring me in this process is suggesting to submit as many good recommendations as I can...
Show more


Maybe they know something I don't, but I've never heard this advice. I mean, put yourself in the interviewers shoes - or imagine yourself at work.

Who pisses you off more? The guy who sends you a 1 page resume that you have to read a bit more carefully or the guy who sends you an eight page resume where every single job has basically the same 10 bullet points?

Thats all I'm getting at - if your recs can be different and add value in some OTHER way that the others don't, fine. Otherwise, if it's more regurgitation of the same stuff again and again...

Keep in mind too - sending in a bunch of recs can cause other problems. What if one person says your leadership ability is "excellent" and anotehr selects "average?" or one person says your areas for improvement are "quantative" and another says your quantative skills are excellent but your communication skills need improvement? See what I mean? It could get quite hairy for an adcom to know what to believe.

A single consistent message supported by strong gushing statements in the two recs they request will be much stronger than a disparate set of similar recs.
User avatar
Nsentra
User avatar
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Last visit: 23 May 2008
Posts: 370
Own Kudos:
319
Posts: 370
Kudos: 319
Quicky: number of recommendations 06 Nov 2006, 18:29
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
rhyme
Nsentra
rhyme
Hurt you.

Don't send more than what they ask for unless it truly adds something special to your application.

thanks rhyme, that's what I suspected, but a person (a recent graduate from a school I am applying to) who is mentoring me in this process is suggesting to submit as many good recommendations as I can...

Maybe they know something I don't, but I've never heard this advice. I mean, put yourself in the interviewers shoes - or imagine yourself at work.

Who pisses you off more? The guy who sends you a 1 page resume that you have to read a bit more carefully or the guy who sends you an eight page resume where every single job has basically the same 10 bullet points?

Thats all I'm getting at - if your recs can be different and add value in some OTHER way that the others don't, fine. Otherwise, if it's more regurgitation of the same stuff again and again...

Keep in mind too - sending in a bunch of recs can cause other problems. What if one person says your leadership ability is "excellent" and anotehr selects "average?" or one person says your areas for improvement are "quantative" and another says your quantative skills are excellent but your communication skills need improvement? See what I mean? It could get quite hairy for an adcom to know what to believe.

A single consistent message supported by strong gushing statements in the two recs they request will be much stronger than a disparate set of similar recs.
Show more


I know how busy you are with your own stuff, so I really appreciate you weighing in. Thx, I see what you are saying.
User avatar
rhyme
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 05 Apr 2006
Last visit: 02 Dec 2024
Posts: 5,909
Own Kudos:
3,172
Given Kudos: 7
Affiliations: HHonors Diamond, BGS Honor Society
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2009
GMAT 1: 730 Q45 V45
WE:Business Development (Consumer Packaged Goods)
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2009
GMAT 1: 730 Q45 V45
Posts: 5,909
Kudos: 3,172
Quicky: number of recommendations 06 Nov 2006, 18:38
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Nsentra
rhyme
Nsentra
rhyme
Hurt you.

Don't send more than what they ask for unless it truly adds something special to your application.

thanks rhyme, that's what I suspected, but a person (a recent graduate from a school I am applying to) who is mentoring me in this process is suggesting to submit as many good recommendations as I can...

Maybe they know something I don't, but I've never heard this advice. I mean, put yourself in the interviewers shoes - or imagine yourself at work.

Who pisses you off more? The guy who sends you a 1 page resume that you have to read a bit more carefully or the guy who sends you an eight page resume where every single job has basically the same 10 bullet points?

Thats all I'm getting at - if your recs can be different and add value in some OTHER way that the others don't, fine. Otherwise, if it's more regurgitation of the same stuff again and again...

Keep in mind too - sending in a bunch of recs can cause other problems. What if one person says your leadership ability is "excellent" and anotehr selects "average?" or one person says your areas for improvement are "quantative" and another says your quantative skills are excellent but your communication skills need improvement? See what I mean? It could get quite hairy for an adcom to know what to believe.

A single consistent message supported by strong gushing statements in the two recs they request will be much stronger than a disparate set of similar recs.

I know how busy you are with your own stuff, so I really appreciate you weighing in. Thx, I see what you are saying.
Show more


You know, another option is to just call the school and ask.
User avatar
burningskulls
User avatar
Joined: 04 Oct 2006
Last visit: 07 Mar 2007
Posts: 108
Own Kudos:
2
Posts: 108
Kudos: 2
Quicky: number of recommendations 06 Nov 2006, 19:00
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I would just tend to think you don't know how to follow directions
User avatar
Nsentra
User avatar
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Last visit: 23 May 2008
Posts: 370
Own Kudos:
319
Posts: 370
Kudos: 319
Quicky: number of recommendations 06 Nov 2006, 19:26
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
burningskulls
I would just tend to think you don't know how to follow directions
Show more


Let's take a purely hypothetical situation. You have great recommendations from 3 professors equally highly regarded in the industry and academia who teach at the very same school you are applying to.

Would you just submit 2 and leave the 3rd out?
User avatar
Hjort
User avatar
Joined: 17 Jul 2004
Last visit: 06 Mar 2011
Posts: 3,248
Own Kudos:
517
Posts: 3,248
Kudos: 517
Quicky: number of recommendations 06 Nov 2006, 20:25
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I would probably send the third LOR unless it was expressly prohibited. Extra LORs is not that uncommon, especially when students ask for "back up" LORs as insurance in case on of the main writers fails to complete his/her letter. As with many admissions matters, people will differ on this issue.