ADEA GODENTAL WORKSHOP AND RECRUITMENT FAIR ADVISORS AND ADMISSIONS OFFICERS
“EFFECTIVE LETTERS OF EVALUATION”
March 7, 2015
Cassandra Flambouras, The University of Chicago Careers in Health Professions & NAAHP-ADEA Liaison
Linda Reed, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
5 Tips for Writing Effective
Letters of Evaluation
1. Relationship with applicant
2. Quality, not quantity
3. Focus on behaviors observed
4. Comparisons
5. Timing
AAMC: “Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Evaluation for a Medical School Applicant”
What are they looking for?
DESIRED COMPETENCIES
• Thinking & Reasoning
• Science
• Interpersonal
• Intrapersonal
AAMC: “Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Evaluation for a Medical School Applicant”
AAMC LOE Guidelines
Faculty letters of evaluation
Advising students on how to request LOEs
– Make sure the faculty member is able to write
a detailed, positive letter for you
– Share resume, AADSAS personal statement
– Explain the purpose of the letter
– Provide the deadlines and AADSAS
submission instructions
A helpful evaluation portrays the applicant as a multi-faceted human being, more than the sum of the facts itemized in their application.
Brief descriptions of interactions and small moments in an LOE can bring vivid color to an applicant’s profile, and make the individual memorable.
Admissions
The importance of the LOEs
Admissions appreciates the
HP advisor’s “committee letter”
Recognizes the importance of many facets of the
applicant beyond classroom achievement Demonstration of attitudes and attributes through
description of applicant’s actions
Assembles the puzzle pieces, reveals the picture Integrates disparate self-reported elements found across
the AADSAS application into a cohesive introductory
narrative
Realistic assessment explains setbacks and challenges,
offers examples of resiliency, overcoming roadblocks, grit
Summarizes and analyzes multiple assessments Included instructors’ evaluation letters provide full context
Growth Mindset
Addresses innate abilities and also the
applicant’s commitment, motivation and drive
“Growth Mindset” (Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., Professor
of Psychology, Stanford) “In a growth mindset,
people believe that their most basic abilities can be
developed through dedication and hard work—
brains and talent are just the starting point. This
view creates a love of learning and a resilience that
is essential for great accomplishment.” http://www.mindsetonline.com/whatisit/about/index.html
Helpful to know
Level of recommendation
Definitions of the recommendation levels
Percentage of evaluated students who receive each
level of recommendation
Admissions: LOE pet peeves
A perfect mystery
A block of text, without the structure of a letter, and no
letterhead identifying the role or workplace of the writer, no
writer’s name provided, and no signature.
So poorly faked, it must be authentic.
Generic student
Template in which the evaluator’s attempt to “copy/paste” or
“replace all” failed to overwrite all the instances of the
previous applicant’s name.
There may also be a mismatch of name to pronoun.
Enthusiastic support of the student’s application to medical school.
Admissions asks about
standard practice for LOEs
Committee letter request and production
• Requirements
• Deadlines
• Information sources
• Materials
• Meeting/interview
• Timing of submission to AADSAS
Eligibility for Committee letter
• If ineligible: LOEs uploaded individually
• Reasons a student may be ineligible
