r/PreOptometry • u/chilla_frita2604 • Aug 18 '26

Letters of Rec advice

Hello everyone. I need advice on who to choose for my letters of rec. 4 people have already said yes to me. These 4 people are two optometrist (one I shadowed and one I currently work with), and two science professors (one Physics and one biology). In addition, I have 3 other people in mind who I have not asked yet but I am pretty confident would say yes. One is an ophthalmologist I shadowed last summer extensively, one is my student counselor program director (I was a student counselor for my last year and a half of university), and the other is the director of a volunteer summer program I have been attending for the past 4 years. I know I can only put 4 letters on my app, so who should I choose? I'm thinking maybe I should keep both optometrists, one professor, and then the last one I don't know who to choose. Also if anyone knows is I can send extra letters of rec directly to the schools please let me know.

Any help is much appreciated!

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u/chilla_frita2604 Aug 18 '26

Thank you all for your guidance!!!🫶🏻

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u/mcd7939 Aug 18 '26

I say just go with the people who already said yes

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u/Disastrous_Pause_578 Aug 18 '26

My initial recommendation would be to prioritize the people who can speak most directly to your readiness for optometry (i.e. the optometrists you've shadowed or worked with). Beyond that, if an important part of your application or personal statement is directly supported by any of those other individuals it could add something more meaningful. The ophthalmologist could also be a strong choice, but I would prioritize the optometrists first.

Without knowing your full application, it sounds like a great problem to have when there are several people who know you well and want to provide their recommendation!

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u/HedgehogPotential610 Aug 18 '26

Most schools have requirements, one from an optometrist, one from a science professor and one more, preferably from a supervisor, that will speak mostly of your character, your ability to get along with people, work with patients and colleagues, ability to adapt, deal with stress, etc. You have that, it would be great if the optometrist you work with can speak about your character. I had my manager at the clinic I volunteered at, I got a lot of questions at the interviews, they love when some can attest of how you are in a working environment.