How the Letter of Recommendation Service Works

Currently, there are two different methods for distributing letters of recommendation for our students. Most students will be using the VirtualEvals web-based system to make letters available to the receiving schools. For students applying to schools not using the VirtualEvals system, the process is somewhat more complex. For all students, the following explains who is responsible for which steps of this process.

When you use our Letter of Recommendation Service, you will:

1. Register to use our service &waive your right of access to the letters. You will do this electronically when creating your account.
2. Contact your letter writers to ask them for letter of recommendation and provide them with the INSTRUCTION/WAIVER FORM (the name of the form is a link).
3. Monitor whether/when your letters have been received by our office and be responsible for contacting your letter writers if letters are not received by our office.
4. Pay the actual mailing or handling fees. If applying to schools using the VirtualEvals system (currently medical—both allopathic and osteopathic—and optometry schools), you will pay $10.00 for each career path. If applying to schools not using VirtualEvals, you will have to provide envelopes with postage and address labels affixed (9x12). We recommend using Priority Mail for distributing your letters.

Our office will:

1. Open a file for your letters once you have registered for the service.
2. Update information about your letters through the web-based registration/request site so that you will know which letters have been received and when.
3. Send your letters to your schools in a timely manner when you request that they be distributed.
4. Receive payment and/or envelopes and postage to be used for sending out your letters.
5. Provide support for you during this process as needed.

Use the following links for further explanation:

• Further explanation for students applying to Allopathic Medical, Osteopathic Medical and/or Optometry Schools (using VirtualEvals).
• Further explanation for students applying to other health profession schools including Podiatry, Dentistry, Physicial Assistant and Physical Therapy (not using VirtualEvals).
• Form: Information for Letter Writers

Return to Letter of Recommendation Overview Page