<p>how recent do the LORs have to be? is there a limit?</p>
<p>They should be recent enough to give solid information on your abilities as a researcher.</p>
<p>I plan to take 2-3 years off after undergrad to do a lab tech before applying to grad school, so they will probably be 2-3 years of age.</p>
<p>Are you going to be working on research during that time, or is it a more clinical/production setting?</p>
<p>If you will be doing research you should be able to provide 2 good and recent LOR’s, so just make sure you have 1 good one from today. If you will not be doing research, try to get 2 good ones now, and the other from someone in management to show that you didn’t spend 2-3 years as a slacker.</p>
<p>Remember that most schools now prefer to get the LOR’s directly from the writers - ask your recommenders to write them and then have then hold on to them! That way in 2-3 years they can just dust it off and send it.</p>
<p>Like cosmicfish said I’d recommend at least one of the LORs on your applications to be from your undergraduate studies.</p>
<p>If you’re applying for MSTP (per your other thread) you are encouraged to submit more than three LORs, so I’d recommend asking two or three professors from your undergrad to write and keep letters for you, so you can have your pick when application time comes.</p>