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Documents
Tips for Evaluators
Admissions committees value (and the Health Professions Advisor writing the composite recommendation letter) value information that addresses the character and humanitarian side of the applicant using specific stories and examples. Imagine being an admissions officer where virtually all referrees comment that their students were "hard workers", "highly intelligent", or "interacts well with students."
In the competitive pool of applicants for health professions programs, the worst type of reference letter is not an overly critical letter, but one that does not communicate the unique or distinguishing qualities the student can offer to a professional education program.
The best evaluations honestly and credibly address these questions.
- How well do you know the applicant (quality of interaction)?
- What makes the applicant unique or exceptional?
- What are the applicant's strengths and shortcomings? How has the applicant addressed his/her weaknesses?
To answer these three questions, evaluators for health professions applicants should consider how the applicant is unique in the following skill areas. While the supplemental evaluation form asks evaluators to rate the applicant on these criteria, the evaluation letter should address as many of these skills as possible.
- Abstract Intelligence (ability to learn, analyze, and understand theoretical, quantitative, and practical concepts)
- Interpersonal Skills (ability to interact effectively with peers, superiors, and subordinates)
- Project and Time Management (ability to complete multiple tasks reliably and in a timely manner; ability to develop creative or innovative plans or solutions)
- Communications Skills (oral and written presentation)
- Self-management and Self-awareness: (ability to self-assess, manage, and evaluate one's own professionalism, moral principles, compassion, and behavior in a demanding or unfamiliar environment; this is more than just about character or personality)
- Observational or Aesthetic Appreciation (attention to detail or appreciation for artistic or literary characteristics; anatomy education and diagnosis are based on these skills)
- Manual or Tactile Skills (laboratory techniques and appreciation of delicate procedures)
Please read this article on writing letters of evaluation and reference and use those suggestions in writing your letters. According to this article, the least helpful letters fall prey to these categorizations:
- a repetition of information from the application (which includes grades earned and GPA),
- unsubstantiated superlatives or vague generalities (no examples or context for evaluation),
- description of a grade in one particular class (an indication that the letter writer had a limited relationship with the applicant),
- inclusion of irrelevant information regarding such issues as the applicant’s family connections or the applicant’s religious beliefs.
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Documents
Introduction
Tips for Evaluators
Primer for Faculty Evaluators
External Links
Recommendation Letters: Tips, Tricks, and Advice
Resources for Writing Letters of Reference (NAAHP)
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