Rutgers Nb: Recommendation Letters Required?

Rutgers University–New Brunswick accepts letters of recommendation for its undergraduate health professional programs, such as medical and dental schools. The letters are collected and stored over the course of a student's undergraduate studies. Rutgers requires at least five letters of recommendation for health professional programs, which can be from teaching assistants, professors, research supervisors, or employment supervisors. However, for transfer applicants to Rutgers University–New Brunswick, letters of recommendation are not used for admissions consideration. Instead, the admissions process focuses on a holistic review of the applicant's academic promise, including high school subjects completed, academic performance, and extracurricular activities.

Letters of recommendation for medical and dental school

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School requires a minimum of two science and one non-science recommendation letter from faculty who can assess your suitability for medical school. These letters should be submitted via the AMCAS Letter Service. If your school does not have a pre-medical committee, you can submit additional letters beyond this requirement to support your application. If you have been out of school for an extended period, you must submit academic letters of recommendation, and letters from principle investigators and/or employers may be submitted as supplements.

Rutgers School of Graduate Studies also requires a minimum of two letters of recommendation for its Masters Program Medical and Dental Scholars. These letters should preferably be from academic instructors who have direct knowledge of the applicant's academic performance.

For medical and dental schools, Rutgers recommends that students have at least five letters of recommendation in their Health Professions Office (HPO) file by the time they are ready to apply. These letters are typically collected and stored over the course of your undergraduate studies. Letters can be submitted via email (as a signed PDF), campus mail, regular mail, fax, or in person. If a student is delivering a letter written on their behalf, it must be in a sealed envelope with the letter writer's signature across the seal.

To open an HPO file to collect letters of recommendation, enrolled students at Rutgers-New Brunswick should email their request, including their name and RUID#, to the HPO. The HPO staff will then provide the necessary paperwork to be filled out and returned.

When requesting letters of recommendation, it is important to connect with your teachers. This can be done by regularly attending classes, being an active participant, speaking with them after class, going to office hours, and keeping them updated on your performance.

Once you have requested a letter, you can log in to the HPOdrome to ensure it has been received.

Letters of recommendation for other health professions graduate programs

Letters of recommendation are an important part of an application package for a medical position or program. They are formal documents that highlight a medical professional's job performance or academic capabilities. Letters of recommendation are used by most healthcare professionals at different times during their career development.

Rutgers New Brunswick has a Health Professions Office (HPO) that deals with letters of recommendation for graduate programs. For medical and dental schools, letters are generally collected and stored over the time a student is an undergraduate. The HPO has Letters of Recommendation Request forms available in their office and on their website. These forms should only be used for letters supporting applications to medical and dental schools.

Most other health professions graduate programs only accept letters of recommendation through their application portal. Examples include optometry (OPTOMCAS), public health (SOPHAS), physician assistant (CASPA), physical therapy (PTCAS), and occupational therapy (OTCAS). These forms are part of the application, and students ask for these letters at the time of application.

Students planning to apply to professional schools, particularly medical or dental schools, will need letters of recommendation to support their applications. Letters of recommendation provide insight into students' academic performance, extracurricular activities, research experience, work experience, etc. Rutgers recommends that students have at least five letters of recommendation in their HPO file by the time they are ready to apply (usually at the end of their junior or senior year).

Gonzaga University's Health Professions Pathways Program (H3P) has developed a set of guidelines and recommendations to assist candidates in communicating professionally and requesting strong, positive letters of recommendation for health professions graduate programs. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has also published Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Evaluation for a Medical School Applicant on their website.

When requesting letters of recommendation, it is important to make your request in person and well before any deadlines. It is also helpful to bring copies of tests, papers, and lab reports and to ask the person if they would be able to write a favorable recommendation. It is important to find out the preferred method of communication for the person writing the letter of recommendation (email, telephone, etc.).

When writing a letter of recommendation, it is important to establish the purpose of the letter and to state the name of the applicant, how long you have known them, and your qualifications for writing them a recommendation letter. It is also helpful to provide information about the applicant's medical capabilities, including hard skills such as their ability to check heart rates or administer medication, and soft skills such as their work ethic.

In conclusion, letters of recommendation are a crucial part of the application process for health professions graduate programs. They provide insight into a candidate's qualifications, academic performance, and personal qualities. By following the guidelines and recommendations provided by universities and organizations, applicants can increase their chances of submitting strong and effective letters of recommendation.

How to request a letter of recommendation

Asking for a letter of recommendation can be a nerve-wracking experience, but it's a normal part of the application process. Here are some tips on how to request a letter of recommendation:

Choose your recommenders wisely:

Select individuals who know you well and can speak to your character and qualifications. For academic recommendations, consider asking professors, teachers, or counsellors who are familiar with your academic abilities and performance. For professional recommendations, approach supervisors, colleagues, or mentors who can attest to your work ethic, skills, and accomplishments.

Make a good connection:

Asking for a letter of recommendation is essentially asking for a favour, so it's best to approach someone you've had a positive connection with. This could be a former employer, mentor, professor, or teacher whose class you excelled in.

Make your request in person first:

Before sending a formal written request, it's considered polite to ask for a letter of recommendation in person, especially if it's someone you see regularly. Invite them for a coffee or a chat, explain what you're applying for, and why you've chosen them to write a recommendation for you. Let them know you'll be sending a follow-up email with more details.

Send a formal request via email:

After confirming your request in person, send a formal email request to each individual who has agreed to write a recommendation for you. Include the following information:

• The position or role you're applying for
• Details about how and when the letter should be submitted
• An updated resume or a "brag sheet" - a concise list highlighting your qualifications, attributes, academic accomplishments, and goals
• A pre-addressed, stamped envelope if the letter needs to be sent by mail
• A sample letter if they require an example

Give them ample time:

Be clear about your timeline and deadlines, but also be realistic with your expectations. Give your recommenders at least a week, but ideally more, to draft and return the letter to you.

Follow up before the due date:

Send a polite reminder email a week or two before the deadline. Thank them for writing the letter, and offer to provide any additional information they may need to craft a strong recommendation.

Say thank you:

Don't forget to express your appreciation! Send a short thank-you note or email to each individual who wrote a recommendation for you. Be sure to update them with the good news when you're accepted into the programme or role.

Additional tips:

• If you're applying to Rutgers-New Brunswick, the university makes decisions based on a holistic review of each applicant, emphasising academic promise, extracurricular activities, community service, and other qualitative factors.
• While letters of recommendation are not used for admissions consideration at Rutgers-New Brunswick, they can still be beneficial for health professional programs, such as medical and dental school.
• For health professional programs, Rutgers-New Brunswick has specific requirements and procedures for handling letters of recommendation, which are outlined on their website.

Good luck with your applications!

Who to ask for a letter of recommendation

Letters of recommendation are a crucial piece of your graduate school application. An effective letter should provide an assessment of your potential as a graduate student and/or researcher. It is important that a recommendation letter be written by someone who knows you well academically. Faculty members most commonly write letters of recommendation, but other professionals who know you well and have supervised your work in academia or research may also be appropriate choices.

When considering who to ask for a recommendation, think about people who are familiar with your character, work ethic, and potential. Ask people who know you well enough to write you a strong recommendation based on your unique traits and specific achievements. For example, you may choose to ask for a letter from a faculty adviser who helped you complete a research project during the semester. Choosing your recommenders carefully can help ensure you submit letters that are detailed and authentic.

If you are applying to a health professional program at Rutgers, you will need academic letters and may ask teaching assistants and professors to provide those. You may also ask research supervisors, employment or volunteer supervisors, etc. By the time you are ready to apply, you should be sure to have letters from professors in your major. You should ask for letters from people who know you and have specific ways to evaluate your qualities as an applicant to the programs to which you will apply.

If you are applying to a master's program, it is recommended that you ask for letters from faculty members at the university where you got your degree. LORs from faculty members often outweigh all other sources because they are responsible for advising you. Including LORs from current supervisors is also a good idea, but it is better to stick to those who oversee your work and mentor you as a professional. The strongest LORs come from those who have evaluated you by the same metrics that a prospective advisor would.

When asking for letters of recommendation, it is important to follow some guidelines to ensure you receive quality recommendations. Here are some tips:

• Ask in person if possible. This formal request shows you acknowledge the significance of asking for a recommendation and creates a positive impression on the person you're asking.
• If you're unable to ask in person, make your request by calling them on the phone or writing a professional email. Include a formal greeting, a paragraph about why you're asking for a recommendation, and relevant information about the application, such as the due date.
• Give your recommender plenty of notice. It takes time to write a recommendation letter, so ask early and give them as much notice as possible.
• Provide your recommender with information about the job or program to which you're applying. This can help them understand what type of information to include in their letter.
• Make it easy for your recommender to give positive, detailed information about your achievements and your potential by refreshing their memory. You can also provide them with a resume or "brag sheet."
• If you are unsure about asking someone in particular, politely ask if they feel comfortable recommending you. This is a good way to avoid letters that sound weak or forced.

How many letters of recommendation are required

Rutgers University makes decisions based on a holistic review of each applicant. The number of letters of recommendation required depends on the program and level of study you are applying for. Here is a breakdown of the requirements for different programs:

Undergraduate Admissions

Letters of recommendation are not used for undergraduate admissions consideration. The Rutgers application provides multiple opportunities for applicants to describe their accomplishments, activities, community service, and personal experiences. However, if you are applying to health professional programs, such as medical or dental school, letters of recommendation are required and highly important. It is recommended that students have at least 5 letters of recommendation in their Health Professions Office (HPO) file by the time they are ready to apply, typically at the end of their junior or senior year.

The specific requirements for the number of letters vary depending on your major:

• Life sciences majors: 2 RU science letters (preferably from upper-level major courses), 1 RU non-science letter, and 2 additional letters.
• Non-life sciences majors: 1 RU letter from your major, 2 RU science letters from pre-med prerequisites, and 2 additional letters (can be from science or other sources).

Graduate and Professional Admissions

For graduate and professional admissions, the requirements may vary depending on the specific program and school within Rutgers University. While some programs may require letters of recommendation, others may not. It is important to check the specific requirements for the program and school to which you are applying.

Frequently asked questions