Too many letters?

[Mabester]

Hello all-

 

I applied to Cornell BBS and attached 3 letters of recommendation (as per what the admissions website states and what is typical for most programs). I noticed while perusing the BBS page earlier that this program requires 2 LoR. I emailed them 8 business days ago about the discrepancy, but I haven't heard back. Is this something that I should be concerned about, having more letters than what the BBS site says (despite admissions stating they need three)? Or should I just try calling them, because of the length of time since emailing the graduate admissions about it

 

Thanks!

Edited November 21, 2013 by Mabester

[Loric]

If you want to know, call. It's either a non-issue or they're already annoyed. Either way, you can't really change it. If it's a non issue, it's a non issue. If you did annoy them, you've already annoyed them.

 

They'll just ignore the 3rd letter if they're going to ignore it.. what are they going to do? Formally give it back to you?

[Mabester]

You're snarky sarcasm isn't well appreciated, perhaps you misunderstand.

 

I'm not really concerned about having annoyed them, nor if it should be ignored. Another school I applied to stated that if LoR's are over the limit that it will be a basis for rejection. If you don't have experience with the matter, then keep your comments to yourself.

 

I'd simply reply to have them remove a letter before official review by the department if it were a larger issue. At this point I just assume it's fine, just wanted to get an expectation from others who may have been in a similar situation.

Edited November 21, 2013 by Mabester

[Loric]

Well, you're already over the limit and you submitted it. If it's a basis for rejection - you're rejected. And the only reason they'd do that is because it annoys them.. it has no academic bearing.

[fuzzylogician]

Try emailing again first, then call if you don't get a reply. I'd try an admin assistant instead of a professor. It's probably a non-issue and even if not, I highly doubt that it would get you rejected. Either they are fine with the extra letter, or they will only look at two. If the latter is the case, you should decide in advance which two letters you would like them to read, and instruct them accordingly when you talk to them. 

[Mabester]

I would disagree that it would be rejected outright at this point, especially as the official deadline has not passed and the discrepancy is their fault and not the applicant. However, your childish opinions don't really play much significance in my decisions, so waste your time elsewhere

[Loric]

Try emailing again first, then call if you don't get a reply. I'd try an admin assistant instead of a professor. It's probably a non-issue and even if not, I highly doubt that it would get you rejected. Either they are fine with the extra letter, or they will only look at two. If the latter is the case, you should decide in advance which two letters you would like them to read, and instruct them accordingly when you talk to them. 

 

I'm in awe of your patience. You're practically a saint. (legit, not-snarky.)

[Loric]

I would disagree that it would be rejected outright at this point, especially as the official deadline has not passed and the discrepancy is their fault and not the applicant. However, your childish opinions don't really play much significance in my decisions, so waste your time elsewhere

 

Oh yes, telling the program it's "their fault" will go over well..

[Mabester]

Of course I wouldn't blame them, there's just an obvious miscommunication between the graduate admissions and the department that I feel has a pretty significant bearing on an application. Apparently you need spoon-fed an entire story that is easily digested, so that you don't instead rely on your immature notions that everybody is a spastic wreck that looks for confirmation of their worries on an online forum

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

What's your problem? Loric is trying to give you a helpful response. He/she isn't being snarky or immature. This is gradcafe. Sometimes you post a thread and never get a response. You should be grateful for anyone trying to help you, not angry and resentful.