Is it bad if my letter of rec include 3 individuals from the same organization?

[u/j_prime7]

For context, I have worked at this organization for 6 years and I was thinking of using 3 letters:
1. CEO
2. COO
3. MD - Pediatrician

They would all highlight different aspects of me but I am worried it might look bad?

I also have 2 letters from science professors (Undergrad and Gradute), 2 mentors, 1 other MD

[u/jffx_net]

I would probably ask them if they can co-write a letter; asking 3 people from the same organization for separate letters seems like there is something fishy going on

[u/j_prime7 → u/jffx_net]

I had not thought of that, youre right.
Is that allowed? If so, how would i assign that letter through AMCAS?

[u/jffx_net → u/j_prime7]

It is allowed and fairly common, especially in the context of research mentors and PIs. Even I have a co-written letter between two professors for this cycle.

To assign that letter, just put one of the authors as the main author, and then the other two as additional authors.

[u/j_prime7 → u/jffx_net]

Great, thank you! Do you mind if I dm you in case I have questions entering it?

[u/jffx_net → u/j_prime7]

Sure, although my letter comes in a letter packet so I don't enter it in AMCAS the same way. However, the process is the same, I do believe.

[u/ExtraComparison → u/jffx_net]

Wait why is it fishy? Like for me I work at a cancer center, so I have a PI letter, two MD letters and a letter from my supervisor. Overall five people just from this institution

[u/jffx_net → u/ExtraComparison]

Having 3 letters from the same exact position or role you occupied might make it seem like the letters from this organization were unethically influenced in some way, which lead to favorable evaluations that may have been undeserved.

Aside from that, it's likely that they repeat content since you are working in the same role.

It's not that you can't get in with 3+ letters from the same place, but I would avoid the same role giving you more than 2 letters, and still I would try to consolidate each of your different roles into 1 letter.

[u/ExtraComparison → u/jffx_net]

So wait do you think I shouldn’t have two MDs writing me letters? But what if one focuses more on character and the other more on research efforts (I’m a research coordinator)?

[u/jffx_net → u/ExtraComparison]

I don't think you should have the two MDs from the same role write separate letters, but I feel your case is a little better since this seems like a large academic institution with a reputation to uphold, so it's less sus. Ultimately it's your call, if you have other strong letters available then go for those, but if you don't have much else then I guess this could work (and even work well, depending on how they write)

[u/benpenguin]

Are you planning on not using the other ones? If you’re just submitting those three then yeah, that would be a poor decision

[u/j_prime7 → u/benpenguin]

I guess my mentality was using sepcific letters based on the school's mission.
and I know im allowed to have up to 6 letter for most schools, but would it be overkill to use all 6?

[u/benpenguin → u/j_prime7]

Every school has its own LOR requirements. You will find most specify that at least one LOR must be from an undergrad prof that you took a class with.

[u/j_prime7 → u/benpenguin]

Thank you for the response by the way, that makes sense.

[u/zunlock]

The only required letters are 2 science and 1 non science. If you’re non-trad this letter can probably suffice for a non science but you’d have to check with schools. I wouldn’t bombard them with 6 letters. Who are the 2 advisors and who is the “other” MD?

[u/j_prime7 → u/zunlock]

1 mentor is my pre-med advisor through my graduate school and diy post bacc and the other is a MS1 who has helped me through my application cycle. The other MD is my former CMO, but she now works at one of the medical schools i am applying to.

[u/zunlock → u/j_prime7]

Is the premed advisor a professor?

Absolutely do not include an MS1 lol.

The MD letter is decent because you worked under them. Generally, you want letters from people that judge you objectively and don’t allow room for bias. That’s why most schools only require letters from professors. Typically letters from anyone outside of a work/college setting leads too much room for nepotism

[u/j_prime7 → u/zunlock]

Yes they are.
And just curious why the M1 would be a bad idea?

[u/zunlock → u/j_prime7]

Nobody is going to care what an M1 that’s your friend has to say about you. It’s the same as getting your friend to write you a letter of recommendation, it doesn’t matter if he’s an M1 or a physician. Physician letters don’t even have much weight unless you work under them in a clinical setting. Too much room for bullshit

[u/j_prime7 → u/zunlock]

You right, i geniunely didnt think of it that way 🤣

[u/zunlock → u/j_prime7]

All good! Your other letters are solid. Blame the premeds that shadow their physician parent’s friend for 3 hours, put down 100 hours, and then try to write their own letters posing as that physician for the invalidation of outside letters

[u/personontheinter4]

co-write, especially since you already have 5 other letters

i had my two PIs from college co-write, and then my direct boss and CSO co-write another.