Letters of Recommendation
All medical schools and health professions programs require Letters of Recommendation. Pre-Health Advising now has a three-part webinar all about letters of recommendation that answer the following questions among others: What are they? How many do you need? How do you build relationships with faculty for the purpose of a letter of recommendation? Once you've built that relationship, how do you ask and what information do you provide?
We encourage students to watch the webinars early in their time at UIC. We know that the webinars may not answer all of your questions, so look below to find further FAQ's or make an appointment with a pre-health advisor.
FAQ's about Letters of Recommendation Heading link
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Does UIC write a committee letter?
No, UIC does not have a formal pre-health advisor committee and therefore does not write committee or composite letters of recommendation.
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Does UIC compile a letter packet for me?
No. Advances in technology have made uploading letters of recommendation to application services much easier for letter writers. As such, Pre-Health Advising does not compile or store letters of recommendation for students/alumni.
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If I can't get a committee letter or a letter packet, what does Pre-Health Advising offer for letters of recommendation?
Pre-Health Advising is piloting a new program where students can request a credential letter. This letter is not a committee letter and is not intended to replace other letters of recommendation. The purpose of the credential letter is serve as an incentive for applicants to pre-health programs to engage with pre-health advisors as well as to provide context for a candidate’s application to a health profession program when possible. The credential letter does not necessarily indicate advisor endorsement of the applicant.
Pre-health students interested in receiving a credential letter to supplement their application are encouraged to read through the guidelines and requirements of the credential letter.
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How should I send letters of recommendation to the schools I'm applying to?
Most health professions programs have applicants apply to and submit supporting documents, including letters of recommendation, through a centralized application service, also known as a CAS. If you are applying to a program that does not utilize a CAS, check the individual school website to determine their preferred method of receiving letters.
For students applying to allopathic (M.D.) medical schools, letters are uploaded to AMCAS through the AMCAS Letter Writer Portal. You will be responsible for making sure that the individuals writing your letters of recommendation have the information they need to upload your letter. Review the AMCAS instructions for more information.
Most other health professions programs use CAS services that allow you to input information about your letter writer, including their email address. Once you submit your application, an automatic email is generated and sent to your recommenders with a link and instructions on how to upload their letter of recommendation. Make sure to check in with your letter writers before submitting your application to be sure that you have correct contact information.
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Is there a way to store letters of recommendation for a future application?
There is not a good way to store letters, unfortunately. In the past the Interfolio service was an inexpensive way to do so. However, their model has changed and it is no longer cost effective for most students to send letters of recommendation with Interfolio. Your best bet is to maintain contact with faculty and communicate regularly with them (2-3 times per year) to ensure that you retain a relationship for when you are ready to request letters of recommendation for a future application.