UNSOM Prospective Applicants: Admissions Information: Letters of Recommendation
Guidelines for Letters of Recommendations
An important part of the medical school admissions process, is the Admissions Committee review of letters of recommendations. Some guidelines include:
- Each applicant should arrange for no more 3 letters be sent to the school.
- Applicants should include one to two academic letters from professors or others who have first-hand knowledge of the student's academic performance. At least one letter from a physician is also recommended.
- Pre Professional Committee Letters: The School of Medicine encourages students who have access to a Pre Professional Committee at their undergraduate to utilize this process. Students can submit additional letters as well as the Committee letter with their application.
- Letters need to be sent directly from the letter writer to the School of Medicine. Students are encouraged to provide letter writers with the waiver so letters are completely confidential.
Information on submitting letters of recommendation to UNSOM
Below are some of the guidelines applicants can use in talking with prospective letter writers.
Time and type of contact with student: It helps to know the writer's relationship with the student and how long you both have had that relationship.
Interests of the student: This should add to the information the Admissions Committee already has about the student's background, not a restatement. Does the letter writer have knowledge about a meaningful event in the student's life which influenced him/her to enter medicine? This is the place for this type of information. Employment, extra-curricular, or avocational activities such as community service, personal talents, outside interests should also be included here. Knowledge and experience in medicine and research is also important.
Strengths and areas for improvements: This can be a difficult area for letter writers, however, the letters most helpful to the Committee provide a realistic view of the student's past performance and future aptitudes, both strengths and weaknesses. The Committee isn't looking for perfection, but does want to get to know "real" students. Do you have knowledge about how a student overcame a difficult situation? Honors received, academic or non-academic. Specify the competition or degree of selectivity of such awards, I.E., how many were awarded in what student population?
Academic performance: This need only be addressed by letter writers with direct knowledge of the students' academic record as a professor. This section should amplify information available on the applicant's application.
Personal Attributes: What special characteristics has the writer observed in the student that make him/her qualified to become a physician? Comments can include:
- Interpersonal skills
- Evidence of psychological maturity and stability
- Imagination, initiative, creativity, perseverance, and enthusiasm
- Problem solving skills
- Honest, integrity
- Empathy
- Social and ethical issues
