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Applying for Residency
The Match: General Information
Obtaining Residency
Information/Applications
The Application: General
Information
The Curriculum Vitae
The Dean's Letter
Letters of Recommendation
The Personal Statement
Interviewing
Rank List
The Dean's Letter
The Dean's letter is an important part of your residency
application. It is not considered a letter of recommendation but rather a letter
of evaluation, in which the student's performance is objectively summarized. It
usually contains the following information
- Personal background
- Pre-clinical evaluation/grades
- Clinical clerkship evaluations (grades, comments, direct
quotes)
- Extracurricular activities (both undergraduate and
graduate)
- Notable accomplishments
- Class rank
- Plans for the future
- Overall summary/final recommendation
Who writes the Dean's letter?
The Dean or his or her
designee writes the letter.
Does the student have any input into the content of the
Dean's letter?
At most medical schools, students have significant input
into the preparation and development of the Dean's letter. Since each school's
policy is different, it's wise to check with your own medical school. At many
schools, a Dean's letter appointment is made between the student and the Dean or
his or her designee. At this appointment, you may be asked to bring the following
information:
- Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement
- Questionnaire or biodata form given to you by the Dean
- List of residency programs you are applying to
You may also have the opportunity to review the Dean's letter
before it is mailed. Some schools even allow their students to edit the letter. Of
course, your Dean has the final say as to whether the changes that you make will
be accepted.
When is the Dean's letter mailed out?
The Dean's letter
is mailed out on November 1. This is the date that has been universally agreed
upon by the AAMC.
Will residency programs even look at an application before
they receive the Dean's letter?
While some residency programs may not look
at an application until they receive the Dean's letter, others will base decisions
on whether to interview an applicant before receiving the letter. That's why it's
in your best interests to submit the application well before the program receives
the Dean's letter.
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