OK. I see that my email yesterday was not clear and I apologize to those who felt my frustration but did nothing to cause it—it was intended ONLY for students who are applying this year.  However, I thought the following would help everyone:

1.      The premedical packet is required for students when they are ready to be assigned their committee member for their letter of recommendation for medical, dental, vet school.  Traditionally students are ready for a committee letter the year they take their MCAT, DAT, etc.  

2.      In addition to the packet, ALL students should submit an updated transcript (unofficial) and resume every year.  

3.      Lastly, and this is the MOST IMPORTANT piece, every student needs evaluations from faculty.  The Committee member writing your letter uses these evaluations. 

a.       The quotes from your evaluations go into your letter to supplement and lend support to our recommendation of you to the schools you wish to attend.  

b.      Without such comments your letter cannot be done! 

c.       YOU MUST STAY ON TOP of your faculty, TA’s, and recitation instructors to get these evaluations in to our office.  They can be done on-line (the instructor has to call their dept. for the security code to let them into the system or call us) or they can fill them out and send them to us via campus mail.  

d.      Faculty from schools outside of Hunter, employers, volunteer people, and research mentors should send letters of recommendation on their letterhead—they do not have to use our evaluation forms.  

4.      ALL of this information is gathered into your Committee letter with letters of recommendation sent as attachments. 

5.      You are assigned a Committee person who will interview you and get relevant information from you about yourself and your career choice.  The Committee person can ONLY WRITE ABOUT what you have in your file.  If you did volunteer work in China then you need some letter attesting to your participation there.  If you are an EMT you need a letter from your boss or supervisor!  If you have worked for the past two years as a full-time nanny you need a letter from your employer, etc. 

6.      People who are taking the MCAT in April or June will want a spring committee letter.  If you are taking the test in July, August or September you can wait for a Fall letter (Fall letters are done in October).

7.      Assignments are made on a first come, first serve basis and so the sooner your file is complete the earlier you can be assigned to a Committee member.

8.      Your file should be complete by the beginning of the semester you plan to take the MCAT.  This way, my March 1^st deadline will not seem to be a burden.  

Hope this helps clarify the process for everyone. Mrs. Wood-Hill