<p>I have already submitted 3 references (the requests, they haven't received the actual letters) and I would like to replace my third reference. I think the third person will write me a good letter (but maybe not great) but I came in contact with someone else who is a lot more enthusiastic about me. Originally, I did not request a letter because we had very little interaction until recently.</p>
<p>I checked my applications and I can delete references. I'm just afraid of telling the person that I found someone better.<br>
I figured that if they do not get notified, I can just delete them without notifying the recommender but if they do get notified, I would have to tell them. </p>
<p>So basically, how do I tell them? I'm afraid they'd be offended. I feel that I should tell them regardless.</p>
<p>Don't. Just don't. They've already put time and energy into writing a good letter (or have made time in their busy schedule to do so). You're not really "afraid they'll be offended," you /know/ they will be offended. Who wouldn't be offended by a slap in the face?</p>
<p>If you want this fourth person to write a letter, ask them to write it and send it as a supplemental recommendation. A lot of universities take them and consider them on par with the others.</p>
<p>No way tkm. This person would have modified a previous letter of recommendation and submitted it through the online reference programs all within 15 minutes. There is no possibility that somebody spent a long time or much effort on this. I would guess that they will be relieved to cross something off of their to do list. Delete them and let them know.</p>
<p>Professor Z has just offered to write a letter of recommendation for me, and given that of late I have been working closely with her on Project A, I believe that her enthusiastic recommendation would be of great benefit to me as I apply to Universities B, C, and D, especially since my intended subfield of specialization is A. Since these applications limit me to submitting three letters of recommendation, I would like to substitute her letter for yours.</p>
<p>I remain profoundly grateful for your offer to write a letter of recommendation for me, and I hope you will allow me to request one in other circumstances.</p>
<p>Your input is simply wonderful. I almost had to do this at one point, but luckily all recommending profs came through. This was during undergrad, however. I'm in the middle of applying to grad programs AND for a pre-doctoral fellowship. Intense!</p>
<p>On the same note, I already have three professors in my field who will write positive letters. I am considering asking a fourth professor who is not in my field, but he IS my thesis instructor. In this sense, he has worked closely with me on my thesis and could speak to my ability to do research. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Just curious, what happens if the program asks for 3 LORs (but does not specify that you can send more) and you send 4 LORs. Do they still read all 4 or take a random one and chuck it out?</p>
<p>A fourth is usually not a problem, especially if each letter deals with a different aspect of your qualifications. But don't send five -- that starts to get adcoms irritated.</p>
<p>"There is no possibility that somebody spent a long time or much effort on this."</p>
<p>Well, I wouldn't say that. If the recommender didn't know the OP that well, then it is /likely/ that they didn't spend that much time or effort on it, but not 'impossible.' I know at least one of my recommenders spent a considerable amount of time on my letter, as evidenced by the lengthy emails she sent (a) at the end of the semester I took her class, encouraging me to pursue graduate studies in the field, and (b) a week ago detailing her progress on the letter and the latest news from her semester in Paris. She's a pretty young and energetic humanities lecturer, and if I had written to say I was substituting in someone else I'm sure she would have been hurt.</p>
<p>However, if the OP's first professor really wasn't that enthusiastic and had been writing 20 letters a year for the past 10 years, then they probably /will/ be relieved to be let off the hook. So I revise my advice, but I'd still consider sending the letter as a #4 if it's a good (though not spectacular) one.</p>