How to Request a Committee Letter

A Committee Letter is a comprehensive letter of recommendation prepared by Montclair's Pre-Health Advisory Committee on behalf of eligible students applying to professional or medical school. The Committee is led by the Pre-Medical Program and composed of faculty, program directors, and academic advisors from several departments across the University.

Rather than representing only one recommender's perspective, a Committee Letter provides admissions committees with a broader view of your academic preparation, experiences, accomplishments, and readiness for a career in healthcare. 

Many medical, dental, and other professional programs accept or request Committee Letters as part of the application process. Students should review the requirements of each program they play to apply to when determining whether a Committee Letter is needed.

Who is Eligible to Request a Committee Letter?

As of Fall 2025, all current Montclair students and undergraduate alumni who wish to receive medical or health professions school application guidance and a Committee Letter from the University (if applicable) must work with the Pre-Medical Program team. 

Eligibility is based on several factors, including academic preparation, completion of prerequisite coursework, professional school readiness, and academic history. Before applying, students must meet with the Pre-Medical Program team to discuss their timeline, goals, and readiness for the application process.

Our team leads the Pre-Health Advisory Committee to write letters of recommendation for programs requiring a Committee Letter and advises pre-med and pre-health students on application preparation for a variety of pre-health schools and programs, including:

  • Nursing
  • Medical (Allopathic)
  • Medical (Osteopathic)
  • Dental
  • Physician's Associate
  • Physical Therapy
  • Optometry Programs
  • Veterinary
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Podiatry

How to Request a Committee Letter

  1. Begin the Application Cycle

    Submission of the Application Cycle Inquiry Form is the required first step and allows the Pre-Medical team to identify and best support our Montclair students who are actively preparing to apply to a medical or health professions school within the next two years. 

  2. Prepare Your Application Materials

    The Committee Letter process takes preparation. Students requesting a Committee Letter should be prepared to submit materials that help the Pre-Health Advisory Committee understand their academic journey, experiences, and professional goals.

    Required materials may include:

    • Successful completion of the academic criteria outlined below
    • Resume or CV
    • Personal statement or application essays
    • Transcripts from all academic institutions (unofficial copies are accepted)
    • Admissions exam scores (such as MCAT or DAT), or proof of registration for a test date
    • Additional supporting materials requested by the Committee

    These materials allow the Committee to create a personalized letter that highlights your strengths, experiences, and preparation for professional school. 

  3. Complete Your Review Process

    After your application materials are submitted, the Committee reviews your information and prepares your Committee Letter.

    Eligible students may also participate in a mock interview to practice discussing their experiences, goals, and motivation for pursuing a healthcare profession.

Frequently Asked Questions

For questions about Committee Letters, eligibility, or the application process, please contact the Pre-Medical Program team directly at premed@montclair.edu.

Eligibility and Requirements

The Pre-Health Advisory Committee Letter is a comprehensive letter of evaluation written on behalf of an applicant and submitted to professional schools as part of the application process.

Any current or former undergraduate student from any major on campus who meets the committee’s criteria is eligible for a committee letter of recommendation if applicable for the program for which they are applying.

Yes! Any current or former undergraduate student from any major on campus who meets the committee’s criteria is eligible for a committee letter of recommendation.

The Committee's criteria to provide a favorable letter of recommendation are as follows:

  • Meet the Committee's minimum cumulative and science GPAs. To calculate your GPA, please use this link:
    • Medical: 3.50
    • Dental: 3.40
    • Optometry: 3.30
    • Veterinary: 3.50
    • Pharmacy: 3.20
  • Copies of official admissions test scores (i.e., MCAT, DAT, GRE), or proof or registration for the applicable test
  • Successful completion of the following courses (or their equivalent):
    • BIOL 112 and BIOL 113
    • CHEM 120, CHEM 121, and CHEM 230 or CHEM 232, and CHEM 231 or CHEM 233
    • PHYS 191 or PHYS 193 and PHYS 192 or PHYS 194
    • 2 semesters of writing or ENGL courses
  • Must not have repeated the same course more than twice
  • Must not have repeated more than two courses total
  • Must have no record of academic misconduct while attending Montclair State University
  • Must have earned or be in the process of earning a terminal degree from Montclair State University

Start planning early. Students typically begin the Committee Letter process before applying to professional school to allow enough time for advising, preparation, interviews, and completion of required materials.

If you're unsure whether you are ready, schedule a meeting with a Pre-Health Advisor to discuss your timeline.

Understanding Committee Letters

A Committee Letter provides a comprehensive evaluation from Montclair's Pre-Health Advisory Committee, a University-based committee that reviews your academic preparation, experiences, and readiness for professional school.

Securing a letter of recommendation from the committee demonstrates that student is more likely to be competitive for admission to a professional program.

No. Students are required to submit supporting materials—including a resume or CV, prompt responses, transcripts, and admissions exam scores—to help the Committee understand learn more about them. This allows the committee to write a personalized letter highlighting the strengths, characteristics, and core competencies that make them qualified for the program.

Students should book an application review session with the Pre-Medical Program team through Navigate or schedule an appointment via email at premed@montclair.edu.

It depends on the programs you are applying to.

Some schools require a committee letter if a committee exists on the applicant's campus. So, if you are applying to a school that requires a committee letter then yes, you will need the committee letter to apply to that specific school. You will need to check with the schools where you plan to apply to learn more about whether or not they require a committee letter.

Very few schools list a committee letter as a requirement for admission.

Students can still apply to any other school that does not require a committee letter. Interested students should discuss all of their options with the Pre-Medical Program team and contact the schools directly that they plan to apply to.

The Committee Letter Process

Once a letter application and supporting materials are submitted to the Committee, a member of the committee then writes the letter. A draft of the letter is reviewed by the entire committee for final approval.

Students interested in obtaining a committee letter need to submit the following:

  • Resume or CV
  • Personal statement or essay to be submitted with medical or dental school application
  • Transcripts from all academic institutions (unofficial copies are accepted)
  • Copies of official admissions test scores (i.e., MCAT, DAT, GRE), or proof of registration for a test date

Other application materials may be requested by the Committee.

The timeline varies depending on when the student completes all of the steps outlined above. The committee is usually able to provide a letter of recommendation within 4-6 weeks of receipt of all application materials.

Committee letters are only submitted for students who have officially applied and can provide proof of final application submission.

Yes. The Committee reviews letter applications, writes, and submits letters year-round. However, it is imperative that students meet with the Pre-Medical Program team early to discuss application deadlines.

Yes. The committee follows holistic admissions guidelines and believes that test scores are one aspect of a competitive application.

A test date is required for the letter to be completed. Students are highly encouraged to speak with the Pre-Medical Program team to determine their readiness to apply, especially as it relates to their test date or score.

Letters of Recommendation and Interviews

The Committee Letter process is designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your preparation and experiences. Specific materials included in your application packet may vary depending on the professional schools and application services you use.

The committee strongly advises all students applying to professional schools to waive the right to see all letters of recommendation. The letters carry much more weight when professional schools know the student has not seen them.

Students who have been invited to interview with a professional school may request a mock interview to practice their responses and prepare for the interview process.

To schedule a mock interview, please contact the Pre-Medical Program at premed@montclair.edu.

For more information, contact the Pre-Medical Program directly at premed@montclair.edu.