College of Arts and
Sciences
Pre-Health
Professions Advising Center
Letters of
Recommendation
No matter what professional
school you are applying to, you will need at least 3 to 6
letters of recommendation. If you are using the
Pre-Professional
Advisement and Evaluation Committee
for a committee letter, then you will need a
minimum of 6 evaluation forms filled out by your professors
before the Committee will interview you and write a letter on
your behalf ( or 4 forms if you are a transfer or
postbaccalaureate student). See the web site for the
Pre-Professional
Advisement and Evaluation Committee
(PPAEC) to see how you open a file, how you
complete the file, and how you request an interview. (The
PPAEC interviews students applying for medical (M.D. DO.
Podiatric) dental, veterinary, pharmacy, optometry and
physician assistant programs).
You should ask faculty
members for recommendation letters only if they know enough
about you to answer the questions on the forms. It is not
sufficient
to get
an "A" in the course, if the faculty member does not know you
personally. Therefore, you need to get to know your professors
prior to the end of your Junior year, when you need to have
them complete the evaluation forms. Do NOT just drop the form
off in their office, or hand it to them in class. You need to
make an appointment to see them and to discuss your career
goals. Bring with you a resume, your transcript, SASS, and
anything else that you think will be helpful to them in
writing a GREAT letter of recommendation on your behalf.
Here is a document that
outlines some tips
for writing recommendation letters for professional
schools, to make their task a bit easier. You may give it
to your recommenders. If the person whom you ask has the least
bit of hesitation about writing the letter, you should ask
someone else instead. A letter that is not glowing, and
provides insufficient evidence of your abilities and potential
is often perceived negatively by admissions committees.
For Dental School, Vet School and P.A. school,
letters of recommendation are sent to AADSAS, VMCAS or CASPA
at the time you submit your application to these services. For
MD and DO applicants, letters of recommendation are sent
directly to the schools for which you have submitted secondary
applications. For all other professions, letters are sent
directly to the school when you apply.
