When requesting a letter of recommendation for your health professional program application, it’s important to be thoughtful, professional, and organized in your request.

Choosing the Right Letter Writers

One of the most important parts of your application is your letters of recommendation. These letters help schools understand your personal qualities, work ethic, and readiness for a career in the health professions. To ensure your letters are strong and supportive, be intentional about who you ask.

Choose someone who:

• Knows you well and can speak in detail about your strengths, character, and growth.
• Has worked closely with you in a professional, academic, or clinical setting. This could be a professor, research mentor, supervisor, or health professional.
• Can provide specific examples of your contributions, commitment, and potential.
• Is familiar with the expectations of the health professions and understands what admissions committees are looking for.
• Will write you a positive and enthusiastic letter, not just a neutral summary.

Avoid choosing someone just because they have a prestigious title or degree unless they truly know you and your work. Also, try not to ask someone who has had you in class but can’t speak to anything about you other than the grade you received.

A strong letter from someone who knows you well will always be more valuable than a generic one from someone with impressive credentials.

Before asking, consider:

• Have you had meaningful interactions with this person?
• Have you demonstrated skills or growth that they could speak to?
• Would they be able to describe your character, professionalism, and suitability for the profession?
• Can they identify and speak to 1-3 core competencies that you’ve demonstrated?

You should also provide your letter writer with:

• Your resume or CV
• A short summary of your goals and why you’re applying
• Relevant experiences they might not be aware of
• Any deadlines or submission instructions

When you approach someone, ask if they feel they can write you a strong letter of recommendation. This gives them the opportunity to decline if they’re unsure, which is better than receiving a weak or generic letter.

Generally, we recommend students aim for:

• 1 – 2 letters from Science Faculty (typically Biology, Chemistry or Physics)
• 1 letter from Non-Science Faculty
• 1 letter from a Clinician
  • Note: If you are requesting a letter from an MD or DO physician, specify directly to them whether or not you want the letter addressed to MD/DO programs respectively; we will not include a DO letter in an MD application (and vice versa)
  • Pre-dental applicants: Programs often like to see a letter from a general dentist
• 1 letter from a Research PI (if applicable)
• 1 – 2 letters from character references (i.e., supervisors in a volunteer or work setting)

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Here’s are suggested messages you can tailor when reaching out to a potential letter writer:

Sample Email Template for Medical, Dental, Optometry + Podiatry PATH Process:

Subject: Request for Letter of Recommendation for [Program Name]

Dear [Dr./Professor/Advisor/Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I am in the process of applying to [e.g., medical, dental, PA] school, and I am writing to respectfully ask if you would be willing to write a strong letter of recommendation on my behalf. Pre-Health Career Pathways here at URI collects these letters and submits them to my application this Spring/Summer.

I truly valued my experience [in your class / working with you / volunteering under your supervision], and I believe you could speak to [mention relevant skills or qualities – e.g., my academic abilities, professionalism, work ethic, or dedication to patient care].

To support your letter, I’ve included the following materials:

• A copy of my current resume
• A list of my relevant experiences and accomplishments
• A draft of my personal statement [if available]
• Details about the programs I’m applying to

If you agree to write a letter, you can submit it directly on the Pre-Health website. I understand how busy your schedule is and would be deeply grateful for your support in this process.

Thank you for considering my request.

Warm regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[Letter of Recommendation Submission Deadline: February 1]

Letter writers should submit your letter on here the Pre-Health website. The link is accessible through the button below, or at the top right hand side of this page:

submit a letter of recommendation

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Sample Email Template for PA and/or JWU PATH Process:

Subject: Request for Letter of Recommendation for CASPA PA Application

Dear [Dr./Professor/Advisor/PA/Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I am in the process of applying to PA school, and I am writing to respectfully ask if you would be willing to write a strong letter of recommendation on my behalf.

I truly valued my experience [in your class / working with you / volunteering under your supervision], and I believe you could speak to [mention relevant skills or qualities – e.g., my academic abilities, professionalism, work ethic, or dedication to patient care].

To support your letter, I’ve included the following materials:

• A copy of my current resume
• A list of my relevant experiences and accomplishments
• A draft of my personal statement [if available]
• Details about the PA programs I’m applying to

If you agree to write a letter, you can submit it directly through the CASPA portal, which will send you an electronic request directly to your email. I understand how busy your schedule is and would be deeply grateful for your support in this process.

Thank you for considering my request.

Warm regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[Letter of Recommendation Submission Deadline: Insert Date here]