Individual Letter Packet Information

There are two main ways to submit your letter of reccomendation 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 collect thier letter before thier application cycle opens by utilizing the Office of Pre-Health Advising 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.

• Letters of Recommendation Requirements

  Most professional programs require three letters of recommendation from faculty members that have taught you in a 3+ credit course. 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.).

  Applicants are reccomended to have the following: 

  • Pre-Medical: 
    • Two letters from science faculty who taught you in a 3 or more credit course 
    • One letter from any faculty that taught you in any 3 or more credit course (science or nonscience)
    • [Optional] A letter from a research mentor 
    • [Optional] A letter from a professional in your chosen field. Some programs require this letter.
  • Pre-Dental:
    • Two letters from science faculty who taught you in a 3 or more credit course 
    • We encourage you to get a letter from a dentist you have shadowed to show your commitment. If you can’t, consider another faculty or supervisor.
    • [Optional] A letter from a research mentor.

  Any NEW or UPDATED letters of recommendation for your letter packet should be submitted through Interfolio, for more details review our OPHA Canvas course. 

• OPHA Canvas Course
  Need to open a new FIU OPHA Canvas Course account? 

  Self-Enroll Here

  Already enrolled? 

  Existing accounts

   Important Notes:

  • This is NOT the same Canvas platform as your FIU classes use.  
    • Username and password are created by the student. Please keep track of this information in your records. 
    • This allows you to store all documentation and Letters of Recommendation until you are ready to apply to your professional program of choice. 
    • Both current students and Alumni have access to this Canvas Platform. 
    • We are unable to provide a refund for paid files. If you think you will qualify for the FAP, please wait to open your file until you receive approval from your corresponding application servicer.  
  • For students previously using the Sharepoint platform, you will need to re-submit your documents to the new Canvas platform. 
    • All Letters of Recommendation will continue to be on file. 
    • All Letters should be submitted to Interfolio.