TO: Class of 2006 (Pre-Medical and Dental school applicants only)
FROM: Professor Barry, Medical Science Coordinator
SUBJECT: Biology/Biochemistry Department Pre-Med Committee Recommendations
Most medical and dental schools request "committee" evaluations on prospective students in order to get a more complete picture of the applicants. This committee consists of members of the Biology Department, and the final evaluation includes opinions or statements from faculty outside of the department as well. Past experience tells us that the sooner the recommendations (and applications!) are submitted to the schools of your choice, the better your chances are for acceptance. We have established the following guidelines for this procedure and we suggest you begin the process in your junior year. You should prepare a “folder” and submit it to me; it should include the following:
1. A complete personal resumé describing interests, activities (i.e., club, societies, teams, service organizations in school or at home), honors, jobs (summer and those held during the school year), research or direct projects, and anything else that will help us to tailor a letter that describes you. I suggest you contact career services to help you in this process or use their web site at http://www.stonehill.edu/career_services/students/resume.htm.
2. At least two (the more, the better) faculty members from non-science departments should send us an informal supporting letter on your behalf. Include in your folder the names of the faculty from whom you expect recommendations. A Chemistry reference must also be included. (Total of at least three outside references.) No Biology department written recommendations are necessary.
3. An informal biography should detail why you have chosen this career. It does not have to be typed but it must be neat.
4. Transcripts (unofficial will suffice). Please update each semester.
5. Names, addresses, and deadlines for each institution to which a committee evaluation is to be sent.
6. Waiver forms (available from our secretary) must be signed for each school.
7. Test scores, such as medical or dental college admissions results, should be sent directly to Fr. Hurley, the Pre-Med advisor, and a copy included in your folder.
If you are unsure about your future plans, you should gather as much information as possible while you are still in school. I will save your file for at least five years. Recommendations will not be written until all information is submitted and you have received your secondary application. The deadline for Guidelines #1 - 4 is September 30, 2005. (If you are applying Early Decision, the deadline is May 15, 2005.) Please submit all other pertinent data as soon as possible in early fall of your senior year. Any requests made for committee recommendations after October 31, 2005 will be rejected. However, you may ask faculty members to write individual letters. Please keep in mind that “last minute” requests are never a good idea due to time constraints once a semester is underway.
Remember - “Committee” letters are for medical schools only. Graduate schools ask for individual letters from faculty.