Recommendation File Service: Rules, Guidelines, and Procedures
All admitted students applying to professional or graduate
schools in pursuit of careers in the health professions should
set up a recommendation file through the School of Continuing
Studies. Graduate programs preparing students for the health
professions consider the letters of recommendation to be a
significant component in the evaluation process. Care should
be taken in deciding which potential recommenders will be
able to provide the most thorough and insightful portrait
of you.
Who can use our service?
Students who have been admitted to Northwestern University
School of Continuing Studies Professional Health Careers Professional
Development Program can use our recommendation service. To
do so, you need to have been formally admitted into the program.
SCS alumni who did not set up a recommendation file while
in the Professional Health Careers program have five years
from the date of completion of the program to initiate their
file. For example, a student graduating in June 2005 must
set up a file with us before the end of June 2010.
This service is also available to SCS undergraduates who have
a major in Biology.
When should you set up your file?
The file should be set up no later than the second half
of the program. It is preferable if you set up your file after
you have the name of at least one person who has agreed to
write a letter of recommendation for you.
What is included in the recommendation
file?
- A one-page explanation of the science curriculum of your
chosen concentration in the Professional Health Careers
Professional Development program, or a similar explanation
of the science curriculum offered to biology majors. The
explanation includes the following statement: “The
content of these SCS courses is determined by the Northwestern
departments; the faculty are often the same people who teach
the courses for the day school. . . . Essentially, the SCS
students receive the same science content as their day-school
counterparts. Our postbaccalaureate program, as well as
our biology major, had to be approved by the Weinberg College
of Arts and Sciences of Northwestern University and remains
under their jurisdiction.”
- A letter from the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate and
Credit Professional Programs, verifying your completion
of the program and explaining that the originals of all
letters are on permanent file at SCS, along with the envelopes.
- Photocopies of your letters of recommendation, along with
copies of your waiver forms.
How do you set up your recommendation
file?
Northwestern University
School of Continuing Studies
Recommendation File Service, Attn: Kina Kelly
339 E Chicago, 6th floor
Chicago, IL 60611
Students will be mailed a confirmation letter within 5-7
days after sending materials to our office.
How do you arrange for letters of recommendation?
- Review the Guidelines
for Selecting Recommenders.
- Complete and sign the Waiver
Form (PDF Format) for each letter of recommendation.
- Give each recommender a completed Waiver Form. Your recommender
must enclose the Waiver Form in the envelope along with
his or her recommendation letter and mail both to our office.
- We strongly recommend that
each recommendation letter be typed on original letterhead
with an original signature. Faxed recommendation
letters are not accepted.
Please note: It is the
student's responsibility to ensure that all recommendation
letters arrive at our office before any deadlines. The office
will notify students whenever a recommendation letter is received.
After arranging for letters of recommendation with each recommender,
it is advisable for students to contact their recommenders
from time to time to check on the status of their letters.
How long will we retain your letters?
Recommendation letters are kept for five years from the date
your file is set up.
Requests for extensions of the deadline will be considered.
How do I add recommenders or add more
letters to my file?
Students can add more recommenders to their files by simply
sending an email to k-kelly5@northwestern.edu.
Be sure to indicate that you are adding a recommender and
include the person's name and title. Any additional
letters will then be included in any future mailings of the
packet.
Can I delete letters or recommenders?
In some cases, students may decide that it is in their best
interests to delete a recommender or letter from their file.
To do so, follow the same procedure described in the above
response.
Can I customize my recommendation packet
for each school?
Due to our limited resources, we do not customize each packet.
All of the letters received from your recommenders will be
included in your Letters of Recommendation Packet. We cannot
send specific letters or put the letters in any specific order.
Likewise, we cannot add or delete letters on an individual
school basis. If some schools require special letters, please
ask those recommenders to send their letters directly to the
school.
Next » Guidelines
for Selecting Recommenders
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