Reference Letters for Law
& Medical Schools

The University of Michigan has one of the largest pre-medical and pre-law student populations in the country. Given the extremely competitive nature of law and, especially, of medical school application processes, reference letters from the faculty and teaching staffs are of the utmost importance. Generic and unfocused reference letters may negatively impact an otherwise viable UM applicant, and reflect negatively on the University’s commitment to the advanced education of the students.

Law and medical schools consistently indicate the most instrumental letters that guide their admission decisions share specific characteristics. They recommend the following:

• Provide substance. Include enough information to supplement your impression of the student, without overwhelming readers with lengthy details unrelated to the student’s application.
• Focus on qualitative information. Through application materials, admissions committees are privy to a variety of test scores and detailed academic records. You should concentrate on insights and perspectives about the student’s past performance and the promise to succeed in his/her chosen profession beyond what can be extrapolated from numerical credentials.
• Offer a balanced perspective on the student. Admissions committees appreciate letters that offer honest assessments by discussing strengths as well as some areas for growth. Committees are looking for qualified students with potential, not flawless, seemingly perfect applicants.
• Acknowledge information regarding infractions or questionable behavior. If you have been directly involved in a problematic situation with a student, you may choose to address it in your letter so that admissions committees have a better understanding of the surrounding circumstances and, in turn, may evaluate the student’s maturity and judgment as the student prepares to enter professional school.
• Address student’s extenuating circumstances and barriers, if applicable. Professional schools find it beneficial to gain the perspective of someone who knows an applicant well, especially in reference to possible challenges that the student has overcome. You, however, should be mindful of any potentially discriminatory references. For more information, please refer to the section on legal and ethical considerations.
• Produce typed, professional correspondence. Typed, signed letters on official letterhead with an individualized appearance showcase students positively. Recipients of handwritten letters have indicated that they are not only illegible, but detract markedly from the writer’s credibility and are often not read by admissions and search committees.

Medical schools admissions committees find it particularly useful when writers comment on the student’s motivation for a career in medicine, service to the community, research activities, love for learning, decision making skills, judgment, perseverance, empathy, tolerance, commitment, and multicultural awareness skills.

Law schools admissions committees favor letters that comment on communication, expository, negotiating and persuasion skills; research and analytical abilities; ability to work independently and complete projects on time; resourcefulness, patience and attention to detail; and leadership abilities inside and outside the classroom.