What is the Faculty Composite Letter of Evaluation?

• Professional schools will require you to submit letters of reference as part of the primary or secondary application process. The professional schools will specify your options for letters of reference; typically, the options will be to:

  1. submit individual letters of reference, mailed by the letter-writers directly to the professional school
     
     OR

  2. submit a committee or ‘composite' letter of evaluation from the college or university where you obtained your degree. The composite letter is currently the preferred option at most medical and dental schools.

What is the purpose of the Composite Letter of Evaluation? How is it prepared?

• The student solicits several faculty members to write recommendation letters on their behalf; these letters are submitted to the Faculty Evaluation Committee for further evaluation. Using GPA data, admissions test score results, and the individual recommendation letters, the Committee constructs an academic assessment of the student's potential as a health professions student. Personal attributes, accomplishments, and other relevant information may also be considered in the evaluation.

• After review by all committee members, the student is given one of the following levels of recommendation: recommended with enthusiasm, recommended with confidence, recommended, recommended with reservation, not recommended.

• The process is completed by preparation of a composite letter that summarizes each of the individual letters of recommendation, and includes the Committee's overall assessment.

How do I apply for a committee letter?

• The process begins with scheduling an appointment with the Pre-Health Advisor to review your credentials and discuss the procedures for the Evaluation Committee. You must make an appointment in order to receive the application packet.