This is from the prehealth website.  Feel free to share it with those who are writing letters on your behalf.

 

Guidelines for Letter Writers
Thank you for agreeing to write a evaluation/letter of recommendation for application to health professions school.

Hunter students are required to submit evaluations from all science courses in which they have received a B- or better. These evaluations, especially the comments you make, are an essential part of the Prehealth Committee’s letter. We request evaluations of every science faculty/TA—we encourage students to submit at least two letters of recommendation from faculty in any department who knows them well.

Evaluations/Letters should address the following areas or questions:

• Letters should be addressed to the Prehealth Committee of Hunter College.

• Indicate in what capacity you have known the applicant.

• Assess the applicant’s academic skills and potential (if applicable) – How well does the student read write and analyze? Was the course he/she took with you a particularly rigorous one? If so, why? Discuss specifically the student’s work in the course(s). For example, mentioning the topic of a student’s paper, or the types of comments he/she contributed to class discussions makes the recommendation substantive and convincing.

• Include information about the applicant’s personal qualities (i.e. integrity, determination, motivation, leadership, maturity, reliability). Does the applicant have special interests, striking personal qualities, or an interesting background? If you are familiar with a student’s extra-curricular or employment activities you can also note these.

• Information regarding the applicant’s social skills (e.g. ability to interact with others in groups, interpersonal skills).

• What information do you have about this applicant that may be relevant and is not likely to be available from other sources?

• How does this applicant compare to other students you have taught (or if you are an employer, individuals with whom you have worked?)

• Please submit the letter on our evaluation form or letterhead and sign it. You may also send a letter via email: [log in to unmask]

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Hi Mrs. Wood-Hill,

I am in the process of obtaining outside letters of recommendation from my former employer. I was wondering if there is a standard length for such letters? Are they typically contained to one page or are they frequently longer than that? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Zach Hoffman