When should I contact the committee?
As soon as you know you are interested in a medical, dental or veterinary career. These programs have prerequisites that must be taken over multiple semesters. We can help you plan ahead so you are ready to apply.
Can I ask faculty for a letter of recommendation as soon as I complete their course?
Only students who have completed the pre-health workshop AND have submitted their confidentiality waiver can open a pre-health file. Please wait to ask faculty until you have completed these steps.
What if I’m already an upperclass student/have graduated?
We’re currently switching to our new system, and understand that there are students who will need to go back to faculty they had earlier in their Baruch careers and ask for letters of recommendation. You should attend the workshop, submit the waiver, and then approach previous professors about writing your letters.
What if I’m in my final year at Baruch? Can I ask professors from my final (Spring) semester to write a letter for my file?
Yes.
When does the committee prepare the committee letter?
We prepare the letter the semester before you will apply to schools. If you are planning to go directly to a professional program, that means junior year. If you are going to take a year off, that means your senior year.
Do I need to be a Natural Sciences major?
No, but you need to have taken most of your science courses at Baruch, and have at least six Natural Sciences faculty who are willing to write a positive letter on your behalf.
What’s a sample course progression for pre-meds at Baruch?
This will depend on your major and program (Biology, Ad-hoc, Weissman, Macaulay Honors College, CUNY BA), interests and goals. Please contact the pre-health committee for student-specific guidance.
What if I have not taken science courses with at least 6 instructors at Baruch (excluding BIO I: 2010)?
You will not qualify for a committee letter, and you should obtain three individual letters from faculty members who know you well instead.
What if I don’t meet the requirements for a committee letter?
We will suggest that you reach out and obtain letters directly from three individual faculty members/mentors instead.
I don’t have the greatest GPA/MCAT scores, but I don’t want to give up on my dream of becoming a physician/dentist. What now?
Lots of students take gap years where they gain more technical and volunteering experience, and take additional coursework. One possibility is enrolling in a postbaccalaureate program that helps prepare students for the rigorous coursework of medical school. Some of these programs are targeted at students from backgrounds that are underrepresented in medicine. The Associated Medical Schools of New York hosts some programs for New York students. Information on postbaccalaureate programs for Dental Schools are listed HERE. Some schools offering these pre-dental programs are Rutgers, Tufts, University of Maryland (Baltimore) and Temple.
What if I’m interested in applying to Physician’s Assistant (PA) programs?
A committee letter is NOT REQUIRED for PA programs. You can instead ask three letter writers who know you well. More information about applying to PA programs can be found HERE.
What if I’m pre-vet/interested in applying to veterinary schools?
You can still get a committee letter from us, HOWEVER, if you submit a committee letter to VMCAS it will count as only ONE of your three required letters. No faculty member who is included in the committee letter can write an additional individual letter. IF you have two other, outside, letter writers (like volunteer mentors or summer program advisors) you can still consider asking the committee for a letter. More information on veterinary program letters of recommendation can be found HERE.
What if I am interested in applying to Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy Pharmacy Schools?
These programs DO NOT require, and some will not accept, letters from the committee. You should plan on obtaining individual letters of recommendation suitable for the schools to which you are applying. Please see the important links page for more information.
I want to apply to Doctor of Optometry programs. Do I need a committee letter?
Each Doctor of Optometry School has its own requirements. Most schools will accept a committee letter, but like veterinary schools, some require letters in addition to that committee letter.
The one very relevant exception is SUNY, which highly recommends a committee letter. If you are applying to SUNY please attend the workshop and open a letter file. Please see the important links page for more information.
Does the committee expect volunteer experience, even during Covid?
Yes, you still must show volunteer experience to be considered for a committee letter. Volunteering at this time can be virutal.
How well do Baruch students do in the application process?
That information can be found here.