Navigating Letters of Recommendation for Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Michigan State University (MSU) College of Human Medicine (CHM), located in East Lansing and Grand Rapids, Michigan, has established itself as a leading institution in medical education. Founded in 1964, the college is part of the larger Michigan State University system. The college is renowned for its focus on community-based learning and addressing healthcare disparities, making it an ideal choice for students interested in public health. MSU CHM participates with AMCAS - the American Medical College Application Service. This guide provides a detailed overview of the letter of recommendation requirements for prospective students.

Importance of Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are a critical component of the application process to medical schools, including Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. These letters provide the Admissions Committee with insights into an applicant's personal qualities, academic abilities, and potential for success in the medical field. The Admissions Committee encourages applicants to request letters from multiple sources if possible.

General Guidelines for Letters of Evaluation

The evaluation section is complete and suitable for review when at least three letters of evaluation are received. Letters should be written on letterhead or business stationary. Letters must be dated and include the author's signature. The College recommends that at least one letter be written by an academic or medical professional. MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine does not require academic, committee, or advisor evaluations, nor do we require that an osteopathic physician complete an evaluation.

Submission Through AMCAS Letter Service

The Office of Admissions can only accept letters of evaluation submitted through the AACOMAS application letter service. ALL letters of recommendation must be submitted via the AMCAS Letter Service. During the application process, there will be a section asking for your Letter of Evaluation information. Be sure to review the AAMC’s Letters of Evaluation Guidelines. Do NOT send any letters directly to the University of Michigan Medical School. PLEASE NOTE: MSTP will accept up to six letters and all letters need to be submitted for the application to be considered complete.

Choosing Your Recommenders

We have no specific requirements regarding how you select these individuals. Your recommenders can be any individuals who can objectively assess your personal qualities such as integrity and ethics; reliability and dependability; social, interpersonal and teamwork skills; resilience and adaptability; altruism; and a desire to learn. Choose letter writers who know you well and feel free to direct them to the "Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Evaluation for a Medical School Applicant" webpage.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Key Attributes Evaluated in Letters

The University of Michigan Medical School holistically evaluates candidates for admission across a range of attributes necessary for successful development into a compassionate, skilled physician serving the needs of a diverse and changing population. These attributes include:

Academic Excellence

The curriculum at the University of Michigan Medical School is academically rigorous and requires that the applicants demonstrate prior ability to perform well in a challenging academic setting. Candidates should apply creative/critical thinking to develop solutions and generate information; rapidly absorb and comprehend new information; organize available information into a meaningful description of a problem's complexities; and deliberate among viable options to reach a well-founded conclusion. The undergraduate grade point average and the Medical College Admissions Test scores are only a part of the measures that are used to assess the applicant's ability. Other factors which are used in the evaluation may include the quality of the undergraduate institution, the rigor of the course load, steadily improving grades and an evaluation of activities that can contribute to critical thinking and decision making.

Altruism

The devotion to the needs of others can be assessed through review of the applicant’s activities, as well as responses to interview questions about the applicant’s goals and desires for a life of providing patient care.

Desire to Learn and Dedication to Medicine

Every effort will be made during the admissions process to assess the applicant’s passion for learning and dedication to the practice of medicine. Assessment of a desire to learn will include, but is not limited to, evidence of exploring a diverse group of academic interests. Assessment of dedication to medicine will include, but is not limited to, assessment of the application materials for documented interest in medicine, focused questioning in the interview and the applicant’s knowledge of current medical issues.

Competency

We strive to enroll students capable of accumulating the scientific knowledge, the diagnostic acumen, the technical skills and the interpersonal skills required for the competent care of patients. Assessment will include intellectual, technical and communication competency, along with cultural humility. All applicants must attest that they have read the medical school technical standards.

Cultural Humility

We strive to find and work with future physicians who have demonstrated the potential to interact and engage meaningfully with the diverse communities who comprise and are served by the medical field. The field requires that providers understand the context of each patient’s life experiences and the impact those experiences have on their health and well-being. Our students should both understand and respect the diverse life journeys, beliefs, values and traditions of the patients for whom they provide care. Our students should also demonstrate humility when striving to learn more about patients, their families and the communities we serve in Michigan and beyond. We believe that the lives of our learners will be enhanced and their successes in medicine will be furthered through recognition of and respect for the diverse life experiences, values and beliefs of all individuals, which is at the heart of our inclusive community.

Integrity and Ethics

Honesty, integrity and ethics are essential in both the medical education process and eventual practice of medicine. Applicants should be able to articulate an understanding of the importance of ethical behavior, honesty and professionalism in medicine. Dishonesty on the application form or in the interview as well as information provided in the letters of evaluation will be considered in assessing integrity.

Leadership

Applicants will be assessed on their ability to question and challenge the status quo, communicate positive qualities of an effective leader, exhibit these qualities in action and effectively exert appropriate influence over others.

Reliability and Dependability

Potential physicians should consistently fulfill obligations in a timely and satisfactory manner and take responsibility for personal actions and performance. Regardless of the situation, they will do everything possible to make sure that their performance is steady and strong, unstopped by obstacles, pressures and demands that would justifiably derail others. They can be counted on to give their best effort under all circumstances. They keep their commitments and work with others to help them keep theirs. They demonstrate the ability to keep their word under all circumstances.

Resilience and Adaptability

Applicants will be assessed for their demonstration of tolerance for stressful or changing situations, whether they adapt effectively, remain persistent - even under difficult situations - and recover from setbacks.

Social/Interpersonal Skills and Teamwork

We strive to find future physicians with the ability to work collaboratively, set a positive tone, are neither passive nor dominate the situation, resolve and diffuse conflict, listen to and incorporate others’ perspectives, accept shared responsibility - especially when the outcome is not ideal - and make decisions that reflect the best interest of all involved.

Written and Verbal Communication

Potential physicians should demonstrate to the Admissions Committee an ability to communicate effectively.

Additional Information for Alternate List Candidates

If you are placed on the Alternate List, your file will remain under consideration for acceptance until we notify you of a change in your status. Alternates may add additional information (e.g., additional grades, new clinical, volunteer, and/or research experiences, additional letters of evaluation, letter of continued interest) to their file at any time. Alternate files are not ranked and are reviewed whenever the number of accepted applicants falls below the entering class size. The number of applicants accepted from the Alternate List varies each year. Alternates have been admitted as late as a few days before the start of Prematriculation and Orientation Week.

Holistic Review

The college seeks to identify students who excel academically and align with its mission of service to underserved populations. It uses a holistic review process that considers academic metrics, personal attributes, and experiences.

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