University of Michigan-Flint

In addition to your personal statement and test scores, medical school admissions committees have a significant interest in understanding how the community evaluates you.

You should select your reference writers on how well they can objectively speak to your scholastic aptitude, personal drive, and character. There is a particular etiquette involved in reference letters, such as asking with grace and following-up with thank you cards. It is advisable to familiarize yourself with these—even if it’s not your style, it might be theirs.

It’s a good idea to give your recommenders information they would find useful, such as a copy of your proposed personal statement. If your chosen letter-writer is a professor, give send him or her a refresher e-mail listing of the courses you took with him or her and the grades you earned.

As discussed earlier: Get to know your professors! These are the academic peers of your admissions committee. Their objective evaluation and recommendation is pivotal to the admissions process.