Letters of Recommendation

What are letters of recommendation?

A letter of recommendation is a formal document written by another person, such as a supervisor or professor, that describes your qualities, abilities, competencies, and other personal attributes. The letter helps an admissions committee learn about you from someone else’s perspective and can provide evidence of your potential for success as a future health professional. Letters of recommendation are part of the application process for students applying to most health profession programs. These letters are sometimes called “letters of evaluation.”

Panel Discussion with Admissions Representatives- Letters of Recommendation for Health Programs

The Pre-Health Student Resource Center hosted a panel discussion on April 30, 2024 featuring admissions representatives from University of Minnesota Health Science schools and colleges on the topic of Letters of Recommendation for Health Programs. Watch a recording of the panel discussion below. 

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Who should write letters of recommendation?

The best letters of recommendation will come from people who know you well, can provide insight into your personal qualities and attributes, and can provide examples of competencies you possess. 

In general, health professional programs prefer letters from people who know you from different experiences you’ve had, such as science faculty members, job or volunteer supervisors, research supervisors, health professionals, or advisors. Additionally, you should research each school you will be applying to in order to find out if they have specific requirements for letters of recommendation.

Leveraging Your Network for Strong Letters of Recommendation

In today’s interconnected world, a strong network is a cornerstone for career growth and personal development. One of the most valuable benefits of a robust network is having trusted individuals who can advocate for you through letters of recommendation. 

Cultivating these strong relationships takes time and genuineness. Listen, share your experiences, and provide value to others. When it’s time to ask for a letter of recommendation, your connections will already know your strengths and potential.

Tips for Cultivating a Relationship with a Professor

Many pre-health students express difficulty finding a faculty member who can write a letter of recommendation. Large class sizes can make it hard to interact with professors on a one-to-one basis. However, there are many ways to cultivate a relationship with a professor throughout the semester. Here are some ideas: 

  • Introduce yourself at the beginning of the semester
  • Attend office hours regularly
    • Have a conversation with your professor about what it takes to be successful in their class
    • Get extra help with course content
    • Meet with your professor to talk about your career goals
  • Be active during class: ask questions, get clarification, participate in discussions and be considerate of other students
  • Inquire about opportunities to get involved with projects, research, or teaching (becoming a TA) within the class or department

How many letters do I need?

It depends, since each school you apply to may have different requirements for letters of recommendation. You may also find that schools require letters to come from specific people, such as science faculty members. So it will be important to do your research on individual schools to plan ahead.

Examples: 

These examples do not necessarily reflect the most up-to-date letter of recommendation requirements of the schools listed. 

When should I ask for letters?

We recommend asking your letter writers at least two to four months before you want the letter completed (note: this does not mean the date it is due for your application – give yourself and your letter writer a cushion). Pay attention to timing, especially with faculty. The end of the semester is a busy time for them, so consider requesting your letter early, perhaps at the beginning of the semester, and work with them to set a deadline that works for both of you. 

How should I ask for letters?

Depending on the nature of your relationship with your letter writer, consider making a formal request in writing or during a scheduled meeting time. A formal request will convey how important the letter is to you. Express your respect for their work, and explain why you’re asking them specifically. After making the initial request, plan to connect with them again at a later date to provide more context for the letter. 

We also recommend identifying and discussing the competencies you have demonstrated during your time with your letter writer. You can also ask them to share specific examples or stories from your work together in the letter. This approach is mutually beneficial – you are taking some authorship of the content of the letter, and your letter writers have specific directions for their letter, making their job easier.

What information should I provide for my letter writers?

Plan to provide your letter writers with the following:

  • An up-to-date resume 
  • A draft of your personal statement
  • A link to the competencies with descriptions (or another applicable list)
  • Instructions for how to submit the letters
  • A clear and mutually agreed-upon deadline for submitting the letter

Remember to send a thank-you to your letter writer after they have completed the letter. They are investing their time to support you in your application. Be sure to keep them updated on your progress in the application cycle. Let them know when you have been offered admission to your health program so they can celebrate your accomplishments!

What if my letter writer asks me to write the letter for them?

Never get into a situation where you are writing your own letter of recommendation for someone to sign, even if your letter writers ask you to or say it’s okay. This is highly unethical. If an admissions committee questions the authenticity of a letter, they will open a formal investigation and contact the letter writer for verification, thus putting your admissions application at risk. 

Should I waive my rights to read the letters?

It is always a good idea to waive your rights to read the letter, and for some applications, it will be required. By waiving your rights you send the message to the letter writer that they can be open and honest in their appraisal of your qualifications.

What is a Pre-Health Committee Letter or a Letter Packet?

Some but not all professional schools may prefer a committee letter or a letter packet from the "Pre-Health (or Premed) Committee" at your school. This is a service offered by undergraduate institutions with a pre-health committee or designated advisor that provides a comprehensive evaluation of your readiness for professional school in place of individual, separate letters of recommendation. 

Please note that the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities does not have a pre-health committee and does not provide committee letters or letter packets. As a University of Minnesota student, you will obtain individual letters to submit with your health professional school application. You are not at a disadvantage as an applicant if you do not have a committee letter.