Committee Letter Application Process

What is a Committee Letter?

The Committee Letter is a multi-page document, signed by the Pre-Health Committee, that highlights an applicant's background and accomplishments, explains setbacks and outlines overall preparation and motivation for pursuing a career in medicine, dentistry or optometry.

The Committee Letter includes quotations from course evaluations and letters of recommendation, as well as impressions derived from the personal statement and your Committee Letter interview.

Strong letters of recommendation will be appended to your Committee Letter at the discretion of the Pre-Health Committee. A Committee Letter serves as the official endorsement of your application by the institution.

For which health professions does the Pre-Health Office provide Committee Letters?

Committee Letters are provided to degree-seeking Hunter students who are applying to Medical, Dental and Optometry Schools. Students applying to Veterinary Schools may also apply for a Committee Letter.

When can I apply for a Committee Letter?

It is strongly advised when you have received an eligible MCAT, DAT or OAT score.

Committee Letter Eligibility Requirements
(For Undergraduate, Transfer, & Second Degree students)

1. If a student has not met with a Pre-Health Advisor at least once per academic year while enrolled at Hunter College, no Committee Letter will be written for the student. Attendance at Group Advising or Drop-In Advising sessions do NOT satisfy this requirement.
2. MCAT, DAT or OAT scores must be submitted to the Pre-Health Office by October 30th, prior to the Committee Letter Application Deadline of January 15.
3. Attend Committee Letter Application Seminar (offered Fall semesters only). Please attend this seminar in the fall prior to the cycle in which you plan to apply (e.g. attend in fall 2023 if you intend to apply in the 2024-2025 cycle).
4. Keep an active Pre-Health file by meeting with a Pre-Health Advisor at least once per semester.
5. Attend 3 Pre-Health events per semester (6 per academic year).
6. Minimum 3.45 BCPM (Bio, Chem, Phys, Math) and cumulative 3.45 GPA at the time you apply for the Committee Letter (for second degree-seeking students, the minimum requirements are 3.75).
7. Have completed (or are in the process of completing) at least 38 science credits at Hunter College. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 30 BCPM credits at Hunter College by the time the Committee Letter Application is submitted.
8. Minimum of 14-16 evaluative documents in your Pre-Health file by January 15th of the year in which you plan to apply.
   1. At least 6 letters of recommendation:
      • Two (2) from science faculty (if you have a recommendation from an ePermit course, one letter must also be from Hunter College Biology, Chemistry or Physics faculty)
      • One (1) from clinical supervisor (letter from MD/DO, DDS, OD, DVM or DPM preferred)
      • One (1) letter from a PI or research supervisor (for dental, optometry and veterinary applicants: if you have no research experience, a second science faculty letter of recommendation is required). MD/PhD Candidates must have letter from PI.
   2. 8-10 course evaluations (at least 3 course evaluations must be from biology, chemistry, physics instructors, TAs, lab or recitation instructors or professors)

1. 7. Attend all required Application Planning seminars below:
   1. Committee Letter Application Seminar (only offered Fall semester)
   2. Application Planning 101 for Your Desired Professional Track:
      1. Dissecting the AADSAS Application Process: Packaging Yourself for Success
      2. Dissecting the AACOMAS Application Process: Packaging Yourself for Success
      3. Dissecting the AMCAS Application Process: Packaging Yourself for Success
      4. Dissecting the OPTOMCAS Application Process: Packaging Yourself for Success
   3. The Personal Statement Seminar
   4. Organizing and Writing About Your Experiences
   5. Preparing Your Secondary Essays for Health Profession Applications
   6. AMCAS 101—Everything You Need to Know About AMCAS (pre-meds only)
   7. The COVID-19 Prompt: How to Write a Strong Essay
   8. Gap Year Resume Seminar: Packaging Yourself for Success
   9. Update Letters & Letters of Intent
   10. How to Prepare for and Ace the Multiple Mini Interview
   11. The Medical School Interview
   12. Everything You Need to Know about the CASPer Exam and the PREview (Professional
       Readiness) Exam
   13. Overcoming Procrastination for Pre-Health Students
   14. Financing Your Medical Education
   15. Time Management for Applicants: from Application Submission to Applicant Interviews
   16. When and How to Write the Disadvantaged Statement Essay for Health Profession Applications