Letters of recommendation are very important in our decision-making process. These letters should come from individuals who know the candidate well and who are in a capacity to objectively judge the applicant's performance (no family members, friends of family or similar). Confidential letters and a specific statement that a student is in good standing are preferred. Commentary on any institutional action taken is desirable, when applicable. All letters of recommendation must be submitted through AMCAS, which has provided both instructions and useful guidelines to provide your letter writers should they be unfamiliar with the kind of information that is to be included in a recommendation letter. Keep in mind that your application will not be considered complete until all letters have been received by AMCAS. Late submission will delay the review of your application!
For all programs
- Three to five letters of recommendations: At least two letters must be from science professors/instructors and/or research PI. A comprehensive Pre-Medical Committee evaluation packet will be accepted in lieu of the three to five individual letters. Some committee letters consist of a single letter with no additional letters attached, while others are more comprehensive, including the committee letter as well as letters from other recommenders. If your committee provides the former, with no additional letters attached, then you will need to submit an additional two letters of recommendation, with at least one from a science professor/instructor and/or research PI. The other letter can be from a recommender of your choice. Please check with your premedical committee if you are unsure which format they provide.
- An additional evaluation letter from a research advisor is required for the Lerner College Program and Medical Scientist Training Program and recommended for the University Program, if applicable.
Letters of Recommendation FAQs
The AAMC assembled a group of admissions representatives and pre-health advisors to develop a set of optional guidelines to assist letter writers, and your recommenders may find these to be helpful.
We will accept letters from instructors or advisors in the disciplines of:
- Life Sciences (Biology, Zoology, Human Biology, Physiology, Microbiology, Immunology, Neuroscience, etc.)
- Physical Sciences (Physics & Chemistry)
- Mathematics (Calculus, Statistics, Biostatistics)
- Engineering Sciences (Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, etc.)
- Exercise Science or Physiology
- Nursing
We will not accept letters from Psychology, Earth Sciences (Geology, Ecology, Oceanography, and Botany), and Computer Sciences as satisfying the science letters requirement but are acceptable as additional letters of recommendation.
While this is not the preferred method of obtaining a letter of recommendation, the University Program will accept one letter of recommendation from a graduate teaching assistant if you did not have much interaction with the professor. The additional science letter must come from another professor from another class to completely satisfy the science letters requirement. The Lerner College Program requires both science letters from professors. The MSTP requires both science letters from research faculty or professors.
While we will accept letters of recommendation for your current employer and physicians you may have observed, we truly value letters from instructors that can comment on your abilities in the classroom. We suggest obtaining letters from the science faculty you have interacted with in your postbaccalaureate or masters studies.