Funded by the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates
Most health professions programs require at least 3 letters of recommendation from faculty. Some programs may require additional character letters from a volunteer coordinator or a professional you shadowed.
Please Note:
Some medical schools request an advisor or pre-health committee recommendation letter. UW-Madison does not have such a committee. Faculty letters of recommendation can serve in its stead.
Some advice on getting letters of recommendation:
The process for submitting letters of recommendation differs among the pre-health professions, and can also differ from school to school. Some applications, like those for medical (AMCAS or AACOMAS), veterinary (VMCAS) and optometry (OptomCAS) programs use centralized, online application services. Here, your recommenders upload their letters directly to these services, which then pass them on to all the schools you are applying to.
Some, but not all physical therapy (PTCAS), pharmacy (PharmCAS), occupational therapy (OTCAS) and public health (SOPHAS) schools use centralized application systems. Nursing programs do not currently employ a centralized application system. You apply to schools individually and your recommenders send their letters to each school separately. Ask individual schools how they prefer you submit your application and letters of recommendation.
In addition to using centralized application services for submitting letters of recommendation, you may also consider creating an account with Interfolio, a paid service offered through L&S Career Services. Interfolio allows you to set up an online portfolio that you can maintain throughout your undergraduate career, and while centralized application services such as the ones listed above will not store your letters, Interfolio will. If you choose to use Interfolio, you will instruct your recommenders to upload their letters to Interfolio, which then forwards them to centralized application services or individual schools when you are ready.
