How important is a composite letter?

[PharMed2016]

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How important is a composite letter? I know usually a pre-medical committee writes this which summarizes all your accomplishments and activities along with talk about why you did how you did in your classes.

My undergraduate institution stressed the importance of a composite letter but I myself am not convinced on it. Is it a need or break situation?

 

[fizzle]

If your school has it, then most med schools will require or strongly recommend that you get a letter through the committee. If your school doesn't have it, then you don't need it.

Keep in mind that it's just a strong recommendation at some med schools and not an absolute requirement, so if for some reason you can't use your committee letter, then look up the policies for each school that you're applying to.

 

[FlowLimited]

The biggest hassle about not using a composite/committee letter when your school offers one, is having to explain why you declined the letter. Most secondaries that I've seen expect an explanation as to why you decided not to use your school's letter. I don't know to what extent they examine your reasonings or whether they're apt to think that declining the letter shows you have something to hide. However, unless it's a tremendous ordeal to get the letter, I'd just get it.

 

[searun]

If your college or university offers a composite/committee letter and you do not provide one to the ad coms, it will raise red flags about you - i.e. what are you trying to hide? Why shoot yourself in the foot, unless you are trying to hide something.

 

[thegetupkid]

How important is a composite letter? I know usually a pre-medical committee writes this which summarizes all your accomplishments and activities along with talk about why you did how you did in your classes.

My undergraduate institution stressed the importance of a composite letter but I myself am not convinced on it. Is it a need or break situation?

If you have the committee, you HAVE to submit it -- well technically it's optional but what would your explanation be for why you wouldn't use it?

Fortunately, I go to UCLA who could care less about pre-meds so there is no committee . woot.

 

[Rach83]

I have only been at my current uni for about 4 semesters (graduated in 2004 from somewhere else). I haven't even looked into whether or not my school has a pre-med committee since I am not following a pre-med course list and am just doing my pre-reqs. I will be getting a letter from the school stating I am in good standing and have no issues (academic misconduct, etc) with the school, but otherwise will not get anything from a "pre-med committee" and will just get my own letters. Is this reasonable?

 

[FlowLimited]

I have only been at my current uni for about 4 semesters (graduated in 2004 from somewhere else). I haven't even looked into whether or not my school has a pre-med committee since I am not following a pre-med course list and am just doing my pre-reqs. I will be getting a letter from the school stating I am in good standing and have no issues (academic misconduct, etc) with the school, but otherwise will not get anything from a "pre-med committee" and will just get my own letters. Is this reasonable?

If your school doesn't offer a letter, that's fine. You need to find out for sure, though.

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

I thought the applications process gave the individual the option of the committee letter or individual letters.

 

[FlowLimited]

I thought the applications process gave the individual the option of the committee letter or individual letters.

It does, but if your school offers a letter you're expected to use it. If you choose not to, you're usually required to provide an explanation.

 

[Rach83]

If your school doesn't offer a letter, that's fine. You need to find out for sure, though.

Will do. Assuming they do offer them, I'm confused as to how such a committee can write a letter about someone who is taking courses as a "mature" student and is not full-time, or officially in a "pre-med" type program.😕

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

Well make it clear to the OP. Expected vs. Required, is not the same. I'm using letters from individuals instead of the committee letter because my pre-med advisor doesn't even know me! There's one guy for the entire university, whereas the letters I'm going to use I have spent countless hours one-on-one with each individual.

 

[FlowLimited]

Will do. Assuming they do offer them, I'm confused as to how such a committee can write a letter about someone who is taking courses as a "mature" student and is not full-time, or officially in a "pre-med" type program.😕

Well make it clear to the OP. Expected vs. Required, is not the same. I'm using letters from individuals instead of the committee letter because my pre-med advisor doesn't even know me! There's one guy for the entire university, whereas the letters I'm going to use I have spent countless hours one-on-one with each individual.

Getting a committee letter usually requires an interview with the committee/advisor that allows them to get to know you better. Often you'll also submit individual letters to the committee that they'll incorporate into the composite letter.

Also remember that getting a committee letter doesn't preclude you from sending individual letters. If you've got some good ones from people who know you well, you can send those too.

 

[FlowLimited]

Well make it clear to the OP. Expected vs. Required, is not the same. I'm using letters from individuals instead of the committee letter because my pre-med advisor doesn't even know me! There's one guy for the entire university, whereas the letters I'm going to use I have spent countless hours one-on-one with each individual.

True, they don't mean the same. But I was right to say "expected" because you can choose not to use the letter. However, by doing so you must provide an explanation.

 

[Rach83]

Getting a committee letter usually requires an interview with the committee/advisor that allows them to get to know you better. Often you'll also submit individual letters to the committee that they'll incorporate into the composite letter.

Oh I see, makes sense now. 🙂

 

[fizzle]

Just go to a school that doesn't have a pre-med committee and save yourself the hassle is what I say

 

[searun]

The premed committee at my college required me to submit 4 letters of recommendation to the committee - 2 letters from science faculty, 1 letter from a professor in the humanities, and 1 letter from a medical professional. These letters were packaged with the letter from the premed committee that was written by the chairmen of the committee. So the adcoms at the med schools where I applied got a total of 5 letters, including the committee letter.

The letter from the premed committee basically compared my strengths as an applicant with other current and past applicants from my college. For example, am I regarded by the committee as being in the top ten percent of the pool of med school applicants from my college, etc....does the committee regard me as an outstanding applicant, a strong applicant, an average applicant, or a below average applicant, in comparison with the normal pool of med school applicants from my college, that kind of thing.

Oh, and my premed committee also required a personal interview with the committee that actually was good preparation for med school interviews. The process worked well for me and was helpful in getting multiple acceptances.

 

[FlowLimited]

The premed committee at my college required me to submit 4 letters of recommendation to the committee - 2 letters from science faculty, 1 letter from a professor in the humanities, and 1 letter from a medical professional. These letters were packaged with the letter from the premed committee that was written by the chairmen of the committee. So the adcoms at the med schools where I applied got a total of 5 letters, including the committee letter.

The letter from the premed committee basically compared my strengths as an applicant with other current and past applicants from my college. For example, am I regarded by the committee as being in the top ten percent of the pool of med school applicants from my college, etc....does the committee regard me as an outstanding applicant, a strong applicant, an average applicant, or a below average applicant, in comparison with the normal pool of med school applicants from my college, that kind of thing.

Oh, and my premed committee also required a personal interview with the committee that actually was good preparation for med school interviews. The process worked well for me and was helpful in getting multiple acceptances.

This is almost exactly the same as the procedure at my undergrad, except that we didn't need a letter from a medical professional. Further proof that not all pre-med committees are terrible.

 

[pietachok]

The premed committee at my college required me to submit 4 letters of recommendation to the committee - 2 letters from science faculty, 1 letter from a professor in the humanities, and 1 letter from a medical professional. These letters were packaged with the letter from the premed committee that was written by the chairmen of the committee. So the adcoms at the med schools where I applied got a total of 5 letters, including the committee letter.

The letter from the premed committee basically compared my strengths as an applicant with other current and past applicants from my college. For example, am I regarded by the committee as being in the top ten percent of the pool of med school applicants from my college, etc....does the committee regard me as an outstanding applicant, a strong applicant, an average applicant, or a below average applicant, in comparison with the normal pool of med school applicants from my college, that kind of thing.

Oh, and my premed committee also required a personal interview with the committee that actually was good preparation for med school interviews. The process worked well for me and was helpful in getting multiple acceptances.

I would not want that committee letter if I were not in the top chunk of students from the school. I am not sure how a committee can assess that...top applicants in terms of grades and MCAT score, but what about the less tangible aspects of aptitude to become a physician? I had a dean who called me and told me not to use my committee letter 😱 and I don't know why. I have been working for 2 years with physicians who love me. After being rejected without any interviews (even D.O.) with my committee letter, I applied with my LOR's alone and got 8 M.D. interviews and a bunch of D.O interviews/acceptances. I got into Keck USC (pretty much my top choice), and withdrew my other apps...so...I don't know if I'd always love that committee letter. I think my adviser just didn't like me, and who knows--or maybe even wrote about someone else in my letter? I may never know. The disparity with and without the composite letter seems a little to extreme for comfort.