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; submitting the application; and obtaining a letter packet from our office.  

Letters of Recommendation Overview

All pre-health professional schools have Letter of Recommendation requirements.  There are two main ways to meet these requirements:

  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 applicaiton 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

 Individual Letter Packet

 Multiple letters each written by, and representing, a single letter author. Many applications have this as the 'default' way of submitting Letters of Reccommendation from Faculty and/or Supervisors. Typically schools ask for a minimum of 3 letters.  Letters are not to be shared with the student.  Students should ask for verbal agreement from the author to write the letter on their behalf and send the request/instructions through their application portal.   

  • No minimum requirements 

 

Advisor Packet

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

  • Mainly used for Medical, Dental, Pharmacy Applicants 
  • Minimum GPA Requirements:  
    • Pre-Medicine Students: 3.2 Overall GPA and Science GPA
    • Pre-Dental & Pre-Pharmacy: 3.0 Overall GPA and Science GPA
    • All other pre-health tracks: 3.0 Overall GPA and Science GPA
  • Minimum Test Score Requirements: 
    • MCAT: 502 
    • DAT: 18/18 
    • PCAT: 400

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 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.  

  • Mainly used for Medical, Dental, Pharmacy Applicants 
  • Minimum GPA Requirements:  
    • Pre-Medicine Students: 3.5 Overall GPA and Science GPA
    • Pre-Dental & Pre-Pharmacy: 3.3 Overall GPA and Science GPA
    • All other pre-health tracks: 3.0 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
    • PCAT: 400

To calculate your Overall GPA and Science GPA, please utilize our GPA Calculator Spreadsheet.

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

 

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