<p>So, I know that most books and websites I've read say that it's okay to include one extra letter of recommendation, as long as it serves a useful purpose. Most of my schools are academic (PhD programs) and prefer 3 academic letters. A few are more policy or professional oriented, and prefer a single professional letter and 2 academic ones. I was going to have my 3 academic letters submitted to those schools and ask my professional reference to write a 4th.</p>
<p>However, with almost every school doing letter requests online, there is not a space to add four recommenders. How are people getting around this on their applications (if at all)? Submitting one of the letters by mail, in hard copy? Or am I missing something?</p>
<p>If you have to describe something as “getting around” it, then it’s probably not something you should be doing.</p>
<p>Many programs do not want an additional letter. You will have to choose (assumedly, not the professional reference for the PhD programs and not one of the academic references for the policy-oriented programs).</p>
<p>Cake, my D found that some do not accept four letters, but some do. </p>
<p>Not having seen the applications myself, I wonder if a spot for the fourth letter opens up once you fill in three names. My D did mention that UCSD’s application allowed her to enter up to four names, which the computer automatically alphabetized, leaving off the prof with the last name latest in the alphabet. The instructions said that despite this, all four professors were notified. I don’t know how it worked with the other applications she submitted.</p>
<p>In general, three letters will suffice, so don’t worry about it if your particular applications don’t allow it.</p>