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Updated June 29, 2022 The medical school recommendation letter is a document that is written in support of a particular student’s application for enrollment in medical school. The people recommending the candidate will ideally describe them as being well-suited to having a career as a healthcare provider. Medicine is an incredibly competitive field, so beyond the candidate’s academic record, letters of recommendation will be a deciding factor in whether they will be admitted to a medical school or not. Every medical school has its own set of standards and formats for securing letters, so it is important to research the specific schools that are being applied to in order to learn how to write and submit your letter. Number (#) of Recommendations – Most medical schools will require at least 3 letters from professors of undergraduate classes to accompany each candidate’s application.
What to Include
Who to Select?If you are applying for medical school, you will often be required to secure 3 letters of recommendation from undergraduate professors: 2 science professors and 1 non-science professor. If your college or university has a pre-medical advisory committee, a reference letter from them must be included. The academic letters should come from professors of classes in which you maintained very high grades. In larger classes, a professor may not have enough one-on-one interaction with the student, or the time to write a letter of recommendation. In such cases, it is important to develop a rapport with a Teacher’s Assistant (T.A.), because they may be called upon to assist your professor in writing your letter. It is also recommended that students meet with their professors during office hours in order to form a bond so an honest and subjective letter of recommendation can be asked of them. To fulfill your number of required letters of recommendation, depending on your experience and level of study, you could also petition any of the following people to write on your behalf: research directors, principal investigators, representatives from volunteer programs, and graduate program directors. If you are reapplying to medical school, you should include a letter of recommendation that describes your activities, credentials, and successes in the interim period since your last application. When asking someone to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf, you should always provide them with the necessary guidelines and information regarding the program(s) that you are applying for so that they may better tool their letter of support to match what the school is looking for. Also, provide the letter-writer with your personal statement and a short resume of relevant accomplishments. By preparing your recommenders, you make their job easier and enable them to write the best references possible. Making sure that your letters are submitted properly and on time cannot be stressed enough. You can find most of the information that you need by consulting the latest Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) guide on the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) website. For osteopathic medicine programs, you will need to navigate to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) website and read through the Osteopathic Medical College Information Book. Many universities require that your reference letters be submitted through the AMCAS website. In order to meet submission deadlines and secure your required letters of reference, you must to be familiar with the application process, requirements, and deadlines for each program that you are applying for. VideoHow to Write (Format)A letter of recommendation for medical school should fill at least one entire page (usually 400 – 600 words) and contain an introduction, up to 4 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. If the letter is being submitted by mail or fax, it should also include a standard letterhead. If you are writing a recommendation letter on behalf of a student, use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate the candidate’s unique qualities which you wish to highlight. Comparing the applicant to other students or to the class average is a good way to demonstrate that the student’s performance is noteworthy. Your letter should describe the student as having the necessary qualities to succeed not only in medical school, but as a physician as well. Your letter could provide the competitive edge which will render your candidate’s application successful, so make your letter as detailed, specific, and as thoughtful as possible. LetterheadIf you are submitting your letter by fax or by mail delivery, or if the medical school requires a letterhead, the following information should be provided at the top of the page:
IntroductionThe introduction to your letter can be fairly short. You should write a former salutation, state your recommendation, introduce yourself and your position, and briefly introduce the person that you are recommending. Here, you can also describe how you know the candidate and for what length of time. Example #1
In this example, the professor states their position as head of the biology department, describes the length of time that they have known the student, which classes they taught the student in, and how they even employed the student to help mark papers. They also begin by saying that they do not write these letters often, which implies that the student is truly noteworthy. Example #2
Here, we have a non-science professor writing a letter on behalf of a student. Such letters are often required, and can serve as a good way of showing the full breadth of a student’s personality. The author in the above example highlights that the student is “thoughtful and caring” as well as committed to everything she does. An ideal physician will be personable and this professor has begun their letter by showing that this is the case in regard to their candidate. Relationship to the CandidateAfter completing your introduction, begin the body of your letter by describing your involvement with the student, their in-class performance, and provide one or two specific anecdotes or examples that support your assessment of them. You should also indicate the length of time that you have known the student if you did not do so in your introduction. This section of your letter should consist of 1 or 2 paragraphs. Example #1
In the above example, the author uses their personal interaction with the student to illustrate a few defining qualities of the candidate: her determined focus, her ingenuity, and her talent. They also utilize comparison and a specific anecdote to support their positive assessment of the student. Example #2
This paragraph is written by a volunteer coordinator on behalf of a candidate. This kind of letter can serve to demonstrate how involved a student is within their community, as well as how dedicated they are towards their chosen field. Candidate’s AttributesThis part of the body of your letter will expand upon the previous paragraph(s) by going into more detail when describing the student’s attributes that make them an ideal candidate for medical school and a career in medicine. Employ both quantitative evidence (grades, etc.) and qualitative evidence (performance, ability to work with peers) to support your recommendation and, again, use specific examples and anecdotes. After reading your letter, the Admissions Committee should be assured that your candidate is prepared to meet the challenges of medical school. Example #1
Example #2
In the above examples, you can see how the authors use examples, anecdotes, comparison, as well as qualitative and quantitative evidence to show that the student is a worthy candidate for medical school. ConclusionIn the conclusion, you should restate your recommendation, provide an invitation for further contact, and end with a sign off and signature.
Sample 1
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Sample 3
How do I write a letter of recommendation for a healthcare worker?How to write a healthcare recommendation letter. Gather helpful information from the applicant. ... . Research the organization or school. ... . List your contact information and use a formal greeting. ... . Write the opening paragraph. ... . Discuss the applicant's medical knowledge and skills. ... . Describe the applicant's characteristics and demeanor.. How do I write a letter of recommendation for a nursing employee?How to write a nursing reference letter. Write a strong introduction. ... . Talk about their skills and qualifications. ... . Provide specific examples that highlight their skills. ... . End with a strong conclusion.. How do you write a powerful letter of recommendation?As you write your letter, make sure it does the following:. #1: Explains Why You're Qualified to Recommend the Candidate. ... . #2: Customized to the New Position. ... . #3: Uses Specific Examples and Anecdotes. ... . Use an Official Format. ... . Start with a Strong Opener. ... . Include Two to Three Specific Examples.. What are the 5 parts of recommendation letter?What to Include in a Letter of Recommendation. Context. ... . Specifics. ... . A match between the position's requirements and the candidate's skills. ... . Writer Name and Address. ... . Salutation. ... . Paragraph 1 – Introduction. ... . Paragraph 2 – Details. ... . Paragraph 3 – Summary.. |