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Med school and beyond: letters of recommendation

Three letters, from the right people,uploaded by them.

Every central application and every residency match asks for at least three confidential letters. Each track names who should write one, and an application without them sits as incomplete.

The rule. A minimum of three confidential letters, uploaded by the writers themselves, before an application counts as complete. Applications short of the required letters sit as incomplete and are not reviewed.

How a letter gets from a writer to a committee

  1. 01

    Ask two to three months early

    Give each writer your CV, personal statement draft, transcript and the submission date.

  2. 02

    Waive your right to read them

    Confidential letters carry more weight with committees. Waive access under FERPA when the portal asks.

  3. 03

    Writers upload directly

    Through the portal's letter request, the AMCAS Letter Service, ERAS letter request forms, or an Interfolio Dossier delivery.

  4. 04

    Track status until every letter reads Uploaded

    Check the portal regularly before you submit or assign letters to programs.

Who signs, by profession

The author types programs commonly ask for. Each school publishes its own list; the guide for each track links it.

Doctoral physicians and surgeons

MD
How many
3 to 4, or a committee packet
Who signs
  • 2 science professors
  • Non-science professor
Uploaded through
AMCAS Letter Service, Interfolio Dossier
For residency
Through MyERAS; usually 3 to 4 from attendings in the specialty.
Full guide
DO
How many
3 to 4
Who signs
  • 2 science professors
  • Practising DO physician
Uploaded through
AACOMAS, Interfolio Dossier
For residency
Through MyERAS; usually 3 to 4 from attendings in the specialty.
Full guide
MD-PhD
How many
3 to 5
Who signs
  • Primary research PI or thesis adviser
  • 2 science professors
  • Clinical mentor (helpful)
Uploaded through
AMCAS Letter Service, Interfolio Dossier
For residency
Through MyERAS; usually 3 to 4 from attendings in the specialty.
Full guide
DPM
How many
3
Who signs
  • Practising DPM
  • Science professor
  • Pre-health adviser or academic faculty member
Uploaded through
AACPMAS
For residency
Through CASPR; usually 3 to 4 from attendings in the specialty.
Full guide
OD
How many
3
Who signs
  • Practising optometrist
  • Science professor
  • Pre-health adviser or academic faculty member
Uploaded through
OptomCAS
For residency
Through ORMatch; usually 3 to 4 from attendings in the specialty.
Full guide

Doctoral dental and pharmacy

DMD / DDS
How many
3 to 4
Who signs
  • 2 science professors
  • Practising dentist
Uploaded through
AADSAS, Interfolio Dossier
For residency
Through ADEA PASS; usually 3 to 4 from attendings in the specialty.
Full guide
PharmD
How many
3
Who signs
  • Pharmacist
  • Science professor
  • Academic or employment supervisor
Uploaded through
PharmCAS
For residency
Through PhORCAS; usually 3 to 4 from attendings in the specialty.
Full guide

Advanced practice and allied health

PA-C
How many
3
Who signs
  • PA, MD or DO
  • Science professor
  • Clinical supervisor
Uploaded through
CASPA
For residency
Through each program's own portal.
Full guide
DPT
How many
3
Who signs
  • Licensed physical therapist
  • Science professor
  • Academic adviser
Uploaded through
PTCAS
For residency
Through RF-PTCAS; usually 3 to 4 from attendings in the specialty.
Full guide

The letter that proves you looked

Most tracks want one letter from a practitioner in that profession, and the letter does a specific job.

  • MD: Non-science professor

    A pre-health committee letter or packet can replace the individual letters where your school offers one.

  • DO: Practising DO physician

    Most osteopathic schools ask for a letter from a DO who has seen you in a clinical setting.

  • MD-PhD: Primary research PI or thesis adviser

    The research letter is the centre of the application: independence, contribution, publications.

  • DPM: Practising DPM

    Verifies that you shadowed podiatric practice and understand its scope.

  • OD: Practising optometrist

    Speaks to the eye-care practice you observed.

  • DMD / DDS: Practising dentist

    Confirms your shadowing and what they saw of your hands and judgement.

  • PA-C: Clinical supervisor

    Verifies your paid patient-care hours.

  • DPT: Licensed physical therapist

    Verifies observation hours across clinical settings.

Your letters checklist

  1. 1.Count the letters your track asks for and the author types it names.
  2. 2.Pick writers who have seen you work: in a lab, a clinic, a classroom.
  3. 3.Ask two to three months before you submit, with CV, draft statement, transcript and the date.
  4. 4.Waive your right to read the letters when the portal asks.
  5. 5.Send each writer the portal's upload link or Interfolio request.
  6. 6.Check the portal until every letter reads Uploaded.
  7. 7.Thank each writer, and tell them where you land.

Members track letters per application in the Portal, with requested, received and uploaded status.

Verify with the official source

Each application service documents its own letter process: how many it accepts, who can send them and the upload route.

MedStride is not affiliated with these organizations. Dates, portals and requirements change by cycle; the official page wins over anything written here.

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