Most schools want 3 recommendation letters, but is it ok if I just send them two?

[uclacolumbia]

I know most schools require 3 letters, but would they still consider my application if I just send them two letters for a masters program? I've heard some case that someone got admitted to some prestigious school with only two letters.

[gellert]

Wouldn't risk it.

[Rachel B]

Wouldn't risk it.

I agree. Don't risk it. You may come off as someone who didn't follow directions or your application may get stuck in limbo if it isn't considered complete until all (including three recs) the documents are submitted.

[MCS_aspirant]

Not a chance. Get some random letter from a colleague or a supervisor or whoever you can.

From my experience, your application won't be even complete without 3 letters. The schools usually send an email that 'your application is complete' once you have submitted everything.

[Mal83]

I second the "not a chance" statement. Your application would be incomplete and tossed. Unless something is explicitly labeled as optional, it's all required.

[uclacolumbia]

Is it a good idea to have your colleague (or some random friend) to write one for you if you absolutely can't find a 3rd recommender?

(Or you posed as a colleague to write one for yourself, if you know what I mean.)

And is it a good idea to send a few more email request for letter if I don't hear back from my potential recommender after a few days? (cuz I have a deadline in the next week) I sent him an email asking for letters about 2 weeks ago... he's actually my third recommender. I've had two set.

Edited December 29, 2011 by UclaColumbia

[gellert]

Is it a good idea to have your colleague (or some random friend) to write one for you if you absolutely can't find a 3rd recommender?

No. If you don't have any other academic recommendations, get a former employer to write one for you.

(Or you posed as a colleague to write one for yourself, if you know what I mean.)

I hope that's a joke.

And is it a good idea to send a few more email request for letter if I don't hear back from my potential recommender after a few days? (cuz I have a deadline in the next week)

How long ago did you contact the old recommenders?

[MCS_aspirant]

No. If you don't have any other academic recommendations, get a former employer to write one for you

I kind of disagree with your straight "No". I mean- it is better to submit something and have the application complete than an incomplete app that is not going to be considered anyway. If the 'friend'/'colleague' is in somewhat supervisory role (e.g. you were an intern, and your referee is an intern coordinator), you may get away with it.

[LawlQuals]

They might dismiss your application without consideration if they deem it incomplete. The bottom line is you need to follow instructions. Whether they would consider you for admission without following instructions properly, none us of can know for sure. I wonder if you can even submit an application with the recommender section left with two people listed only. Schools do not usually let you submit your application unless you have everything filled in. Not having filled in the third slot for the recommendation letter would prevent you from having a complete application, preventing you from sending it anyway. Maybe your application has an override button you can click on each section, such as "mark as complete" that might work. But, this is something you need to think about.

[uclacolumbia]

Some schools that I am applying to have application system that won't allow you to submit the application without 3 emails lised. But some of them do let you submit the online application with just two even though they say they want three.

[BDav]

Your application won't get tossed. Everything you have sent in will be given to the department to look at. It is up to them what to do from there. Because of the vast number of applicants, many will probably toss anyone who hasn't followed directions as the first cut.

Is it possible to get in with only two? Yes. But more likely it will be an excuse to deny you without turning the first page of your application.

And yes, some schools won't let you apply unless you have all three recommenders entered. I think these are the nice schools. Other schools are cruel, and let you apply without having them, and then give you no way to add them in afterwards. Don't submit until you've put in the three recommenders or it could be a big hassle.

Edited January 1, 2012 by BDav

[Seeking]

If you know any professor in your discipline who is willing to comment on your research potential, your academic achievements and your potential to do graduate research in the program you are applying, this letter will serve the purpose of a 3rd recommendation.

It's not necessary that you should have studied, researched or interned with them.

It's better to find such a person than to submit without a 3rd reference.

[popcandy]

If they ask for three, submit three. Unless you're a child prodigy or have a huge legacy/name/donation to give to the "very prestigious school" no one cares about you personally and will see your app as incomplete.

[juilletmercredi]

If the 'friend'/'colleague' is in somewhat supervisory role (e.g. you were an intern, and your referee is an intern coordinator), you may get away with it.

That's not a friend or a colleague, though, that's a supervisor. Recommenders should almost always be in some sort of supervisory or teaching position.

At a school where I had a third recommendation missing, they would not consider my application until I had three. I would not take the chance that they might consider your application with just two, because many schools will not consider imcomplete applications and only having two recommendations would be considered complete.