The Recommendation Committee provides a committee letter to whom it may concern for pre-health professional students who are applying to health professional programs. The Recommendations Committee is comprised of faculty and staff members from campus.

No. Pre-medicine or pre-pharmacy students who are applying to Loma Linda University must come through the Recommendations Committee and receive a recommendation committee letter. This letter is also recommended for pre-dentistry students. The Recommendation Committee only serves pre-med (allopathy, osteopathy, optometry, podiatry, veterinary) pre-dent, and pre-pharm.

The Recommendations Committee Packet, which consists of the forms that must be submitted to our office, is due on Friday, March 10, 2023. These forms include your transcripts, personal statement, resume, coursework completed, letters of recommendation, permissions, etc. Students who turn in their packet by this deadline are assured of having a committee letter written for them during Spring Quarter. Those who turn it in after this date have a lesser chance of having the letter written before the summer begins. The committee does not meet during the summer.

The Recommendations Committee letter is required for LLU Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, and recommended for LLU School of Dentistry. Some additional schools require it as well. A well written letter of recommendation, however, cannot cover up a history of poor or mediocre performance. Should your academic past be checkered, but your last few quarters strong, a committee letter can possibly be the deciding factor.

Letters of recommendation are most beneficial if written by individuals who know you well. That being said, letters from professors in general and your science professors in particular can be very beneficial. Get to know your professors as you want them to write meaningful letters and not letters that just speak of your grades. Your transcripts already show your grades. LLU also wants a letter from someone, usually a pastor or spiritual advisor, who can write about your commitment or passion for service. Additional suggestions are listed in the forms packet.

Ask professors to write letters of recommendation and give them the signed form from the packet. You should have your resume (CV) as well as a rough draft of your personal statement available.

DUE to the COVID-19 closure all letters should be uploaded electronically. Please refer to the the links above for submission. Please ensure you allocate ample time for your recommenders to submit letters. Ideally, you should request letters no later than January.

Now! Your completed packet is due near the end of Winter Quarter of your junior year (for traditional students). However, even as a freshman, you can begin documenting your volunteering and extracurricular activities so that the information is readily available when you need it.

The Recommendations Committee manual is online and the entire process is explained. In addition, the Pre-Health Office will be hosting workshop throughout the quarter aimed at helping you fill out the additional materials needed to go through the RC process. However, if you still have questions, you may come by the Pre-Health office, Sierra Vista Hall #114D. We will be able to assist you.