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Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences


Things to Consider Before Asking for Letters of Reference

  • Choose people who know you well (faculty, employers, head of an organization you've been a member of, or volunteered for).
  • Seek of variety of letter writers who may be able to contribute different things about you.
  • Observe proper etiquette, do NOT approach a potential referee after class, show up at their office without notice, or via email.
  • Make an appointment so you can ask the person when they have more time to consider their answer and you have time to supply them with the information they need.
  • If they say they cannot write a good letter of reference for any reason, respect their wishes.
  • Ask far in advance of any deadline, even if it is weeks in advance. You will come across as very unprofessional to leave your request to just days before letters are needed.
  • Supply the letter writer with typed information concerning who the letter should be addressed to and the address. A stamped addressed envelope can be provided or offered.
  • You do not need to suggest that you will pick the letter up, most letters are sent directly by the writer to the institution or individual they are addressed to.
  • Be prepared, many referees like to see a current resume so they can add details about your accomplishments to the letter.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of Recommendation

There are two types of letters required for application to medical school. The first is a composite letter of evaluation from a premedical committee and the second type are personal letters of recommendation from faculty, employers, and other individuals who know you well. Personal letters of recommendation should not come from family members or close relatives.

Composite Letter of Recommendation
"Premedical Committee Letter"

Dr. Neil Allison as Chairman of the University of Arkansas Premedical Advisory Committee conducts meetings of the committee to produce a composite letter of evaluation from the University of Arkansas for each applicant. If you are applying to UAMS (and most other medical schools) it is mandatory* for you to request a composite letter of recommendation from a premedical advisory committee. Each applicant has an interview with two members of the committee. The committee evaluation is based on academic excellence, volunteerism and community service, health-profession experience, involvment and leadership, the comittee interview, and personal letters of recommendation.

* UAMS 2006-2007 College of Medicine Catalog, under "For the Medical School Applicant" it states
" Premedical Advisory Commitee Composite Evaluation: (Mandatory) If it has been two years or less since an applicant last attended or graduated from college, he/she must request a letter of evaluation from the school's Premedical Advisory Committee. It is the responsibility of the applicant to investigate and determine if his/her school has a Premedical Advisory Committee. The applicant must meet all established deadlines of that committee for requesting a letter be sent to the College of Medicine Office of Admisssions. Applicants who fail to satisfy this prematriculation requirement wil not be allowed to proceed with their application. Therefore, their application will be rejected."

Personal Letters of Recommendation


In addition to the committee letter, applicants typically submit three personal letters of recommendation "that attest to the applicant's performance outside the classroom, i.e., motivation, integrity, leadership abilities, work ethic, professionalism, volunteerism etc., from individuals who know the applicant well, preferably over an extended period of time."

UAMS College of Medicine catalog 2007

UAMS

REFEREES MUST REQUEST THAT LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION ARE SENT BY THE WRITERS DIRECTLY TO THE MEDICAL SCHOOL(S) WHERE YOU ARE APPLYING AND A COPY SENT TO:

Dr. Neil Allison
Liebolt Chair of Premedical Sciences
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701

It is your responsibility to make sure that your letters of recommendation are sent to Dr. Allison for the Premedical Advisory Committee.

**WE DO NOT FORWARD LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION TO MEDICAL SCHOOLS FOR YOU.**

It is recommended that applicants supply no more than 3 letters of recommendation in addition to the Premedical Committee letter. UAMS recommends 3 only; more than that may look desperate. You should avoid letters from individuals who are not objective (your minister from childhood, your parents, other close family members). You should also avoid letters from high-level government officials unless you have worked directly for them in their office. This is especially true if they do not know you well as a person (ie. they just know your parents).

IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine your personal letters of recommendation should be sent directly to:


Office of Admissions
UAMS College of Medicine
4301 W. Markham, Slot 551
Little Rock, AR 72205


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