Letter Packet Information

Applying to a professional program in the health-care field is a complicated process. The steps below are your guide to assembling the materials, and obtaining a letter packet from our office for Medical & Dental school Applications. 

Other pre-health professional application procedures require students to have a minimum of 3 uploaded letters; because of this requirement, they are not eligible for the packet format.  But, we are happy to assist students with the application materials. Please schedule a meeting for assistance. 

Letters of Recommendation Overview

All pre-health professional schools have Letter of Recommendation requirements. Most professional programs require three letters of recommendation from faculty members that have taught you in a 3+ credit course (2 of these must be from a science faculty member; the third can be from a science or non-science faculty member). Most programs also limit students to a maximum of 6 letters of recommendation of which the remaining letters can come from physicians, research mentors, volunteering coordinators, etc. However, these requirements differ between programs and some might additionally require a letter of recommendation from a professional in the field you are applying to (i.e. a physician, a dentist, etc.).

There are two main ways to meet these requirements for Pre-Medical & Pre-Dental students:

  1. A student waits until their application year and submits those letters individually within the Application Portal.  (For more information on your professional school application portal, please refer to the 'Application' Tab in your area of interest).
     
  2. Students can utilize the Office of Pre-Health Advising (OPHA) Letter Packet service to store letters until the application is ready for submission.  If students meet the minimum requirements, they can also get an additional cover letter from the OPHA speaking to their application strengths.   

Types of Letter Packets with OPHA

Individual Letter Packet

Multiple letters each written by, and representing, a single letter author. These letters are held by our office and submitted as one file to the application. 

  • No minimum requirements 

Advisor Packet

A packet or set of letters assembled and distributed by your institution intended to represent your institution’s evaluation of you. An Advisor Letter Packet also includes a cover letter from a pre-health advisor and the individual letters of recommendation you have collected.  However, unlike a Committee Letter, an Advisor Letter Packet does not include a ranking.

  • Used for Medical & Dental Applicants 
  • Minimum GPA Requirements:  
    • Pre-Medicine: 3.2 Overall GPA and Science GPA
    • Pre-Dental: 3.0 Overall GPA and Science GPA
  • Minimum Test Score Requirements: 
    • MCAT: 502 
    • DAT: 18/18 

Committee Packet

A packet or set of letters assembled and distributed by your institution intended to represent your institution’s evaluation of you.  A Committee Letter Packet also includes a cover letter from your committee's evaluation of you, including a ranking compared to all other students applying through the process, and the individual letters of recommendation you have collected.  

  • Used for Medical & Dental Applicants 
  • Minimum GPA Requirements:  
    • Pre-Medicine: 3.5 Overall GPA and Science GPA
    • Pre-Dental: 3.3 Overall GPA and Science GPA
  • Minimum Test Score Requirements: 
    • MCAT: 506 with no section lower than 123
    • DAT: 19/19 with no section lower than 14

To calculate your Overall GPA and Science GPA for all undergraduate coursework, please utilize our GPA Calculator Spreadsheet.

Science GPA includes courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. For more information about which specific courses are included, please use the Course Classification Guide.

 

*It is a students responsibility to review all requirements & important dates.*