The composite letter is a unique, comprehensive letter written by a “composite writer” that provides an in-depth perspective on an applicant’s preparedness for medical/dental school. IT is Dartmouth’s version of a “committee letter.” The composite writer integrates their own observations about the applicant with information from the applicant’s support letters and other support materials (such as the applicant’s autobiographical sketch, resume, and transcript). When completed, the composite will be a holistic summation of the applicant’s academic, professional, and extracurricular experiences, as well as their personal qualities and character.

Medical and dental schools value committee letters because they provide a unique institutional and integrated perspective on the applicant’s preparedness for medical/dental school. Committee letters provide a comprehensive evaluation on the applicant based on direct observation and the synthesis of information from faculty/others within and/or outside an institution.

The composite writer's role is to provide a holistic, summative evaluation of the applicant and their preparedness for medical or dental school based on their own knowledge and experiences of the applicant, while also incorporating quotes and information from the applicant's letters of recommendation to support their evaluation.

Composite writers should consider, based on their observations, the applicants academic and intellectual skills, professional and extracurricular experiences, and personal qualities that make them a suitable candidate for medical or dental school. If the applicant has experienced any personal hardships that have impacted their journey to medical school, it may be necessary to address that in the composite letter as well with the applicant's permission. You may not be able to reflect on all these areas - and that is okay! Where your knowledge lacks, you can use quotes and information from the applicant's letters of recommendation and other documents to fill in the gaps.

There is no strict deadline. Applicants are expected to speak with their composite writers and agree on a deadline to submit the composite letter. Therefore, each composite writer will have a different deadline. 

With that said, HPP recommends the below target deadlines for applicants and composite writers. However, there is flexibility, and if composite writers need a later deadline that is okay!

March 25

• The applicant notifies HPP that all their letters of recommendation and other supporting materials are submitted.
• HPP releases the applicant's letters and materials to the composite writer.
• The composite writer is then given at least 4 - 6 weeks to write. 

Mid-May - June 25

• The composite writer submits their composite letter to HPP for review.

Mid-May - August

• HPP reviews and finalizes the composite letter. 
• The review process can take 1 - 4 weeks depending on various factors (such as the date of submission, the number of other composites on our list to review, the edits needed, how quickly the composite writer can respond to feedback, etc.).

One of the strengths of the composite letter is that it is unique to each composite writer. There is no strict requirements in terms of content, format, or structure. However, the following elements are required. 

Letterhead: If you do not have a letterhead or using one would be inappropriate, please include a heading with your contact information, employer information, and your title/position.

Signature and date: Signature can be added using:

• Adobe Reader with signature capability
• JPG/PNG of signature added to a Word document
• Signed by hand, scanned, and dated

Confidentiality: The applicant waives their right to view both the composite letter and their letters of recommendation. Do not share your composite letter with the applicant!

Personal Information: If you know personal information about the applicant that you believe is relevant to your evaluation, make sure to get the applicant’s permission before sharing!

Again, while there are no strict requirements for format or structure, we do recommend keeping the following in mind:

• It is most typical for composite letters to be between 3 - 4 pages. We wouldn't recommend writing more than 5 pages. 

• Headers can be a helpful way to organize your composite letter.

• If there are any points about the applicant you want to emphasize, consider bolding them!

HPP will send the following materials to the composite writer:

• All the applicant’s letters of recommendation.
• The applicant’s autobiographical sketch (sometimes the applicant may also decide to include their personal statement and list of activities).
• The applicant’s resume.
• The applicant’s transcript.
• The applicant’s AAMC ID number.

NOTE: Consider a meeting with the applicant, whether in-person or virtual, to discuss their goals and aspirations, or to flesh out some of the pieces one might find in any of the above. Applicant’s will love to speak with you.

Yes, we do! For confidentiality reasons, we cannot share these publicly. If you are a composite writer and would like to review our sample composite letters, please feel free to reach out to us at Health.Professions.Program@dartmouth.edu.  

Introduce the writing “committee,” including yourself, and the applicant.

• Ex. I am pleased to write this enthusiastic composite letter of evaluation on behalf of myself, Dartmouth faculty and staff, and other letter writers, for [applicant’s full name], Dartmouth Class of [class year], in support of [his/her/their] application to medical/dental school].
• Ex. On behalf of myself, several Dartmouth colleagues, and other professionals, I am pleased to write this most enthusiastic composite letter of evaluation for [applicant’s full name], Dartmouth Class of [class year], in support of [his/her/their] application to medical/dental school.

Introduce the background of the composite writer and their relationship with the applicant. NOTE: the focus of the composite letter should be on the applicant. ONLY include enough information about your background/work to provide context. Ideally, keep this information brief.

• Ex. Having taught [applicant’s first name] in two undergraduate biology courses, working closely with her as my research assistant, and after many hours discussing her aspiration and life experiences, I feel I am in an excellent position to summarize her many attributes that support her application to medical/dental school.
• Ex. I have known [applicant’s first name] since the end of their sophomore year when I asked them to be one of my teaching assistants because of their strong performance in my course and strong interpersonal skills. I look forward to providing you with a lens to confirm their preparation for medical school.

Medical/dental schools look for language that can help them identify the strength of the applicant. Assessment statements are something that schools look closely at. You can, of course, provide a personal assessment statement, but in your introduction and conclusion, you should also include a collective “WE” assessment statement.

• Ex. Collectively, we believe that [applicant’s first name] is a superb candidate, one of the best from [applicant’s class year], and one richly deserving of admission to medical/dental school.
• Ex. We give our highest possible recommendation to [applicant’s first name] application to medical/dental school.
• Ex. Together, we profusely believe that [applicant’s first name] will be an outstanding medical/dental student and future physician/dentist.

Some schools have 1-2 writers writing all the letters; therefore, they have a point of comparison. Sometimes the writer only has information about the applicant from one letter of recommendation and an interview.

Dartmouth has a more personalized approach. A composite writer may only be writing for 1-2 applicants; and therefore, can’t compare in that way.

When is comparison useful?

• When specific to YOUR experiences.
• Ex. I have worked with undergraduates and graduate students, as well as research assistants, for over 15 years and can easily say that [applicant’s first name] ranks as one of the top three assistant I have ever had.
• Ex. In class of 85 students, many of whom were highly motivated and talented pre-health students, [applicant’s first name] was easily in the top 5% in terms of academic performance and engagement.

Other schools use consistent, uniform language to describe applicants. Examples include:

• Outstanding Candidate
• Excellent Candidate
• Very Strong Candidate
• Strong Candidate
• Good Candidate
• Enthusiastically Highest Recommendation
• Highest Recommendation.
• Recommended Very Highly
• Recommended Highly
• Recommended
• Recommended with Reservations

Dartmouth does not have a similar language – this allows our composite letters to be more personalized. However, medical/dental do look for this language, so if you are a more stoic writer by nature, do consider using more impactful adjectives/language to describe the applicant.

While you will integrate your evaluation of the applicant with information/quotes from their letters of recommendation, it may be necessary to provide broader context concerning their time at Dartmouth.

Composite Writers are always affiliated with Dartmouth; therefore, you can provide unique context for following:

• Dartmouth specific quirks and programming.
• Any special accomplishments the applicant has achieved.
• Life challenges that may have impacted the applicant’s academic performance.
• Put into perspective the applicant’s success relative to the obstacles they may have had to overcome.
• Highlight the applicant’s unique gifts/talents.
• Any institutional actions the applicant may have received.

• You MUST use direct quotes from each of the applicant’s letters of recommendation.
• Use direct quotes to support both your own observations and to share/demonstrate the applicant’s competencies, abilities, and attributes that you may not have been aware of. Along with your own knowledge of the applicant, their letters of recommendation are your best primary sources.
• NOTE: Letters are meant to be confidential. If you have concerns about at letter, please let HPP know (not the student or the writer).