Application Process

YOUR STEPS

  1. Choose 1 Composite Writer: Must be from the Dartmouth Community (i.e., Dartmouth, Geisel, or DHMC). See Choosing Your Letter Writers page for more information.
  2. Choose 3 – 5 Support Writers: These can include both Dartmouth Community and elsewhere. See Choosing Your Letter Writers page for more information.
  3. Agree on Deadlines: Discuss/agree on letter deadlines with all your writers.
  4. Write an Autobiographical Sketch & Update Your Resume: Then send these documents directly to your support writers (not your composite writer) to assist them in their writing. Provide a transcript if they ask.
  5. Create a PrivateFolio Account: Make sure to use the Dartmouth-specific instructions on how to create an account to receive Dartmouth discounted rates.
  6. Send Each of Your SUPPORT WRITERS a Letter of Recommendation Request: This will prompt PrivateFolio to send an upload link that will allow your support writers to submit their letters directly to your account. DO NOT send your composite writer a request. See the question “How do my support writers upload their letters to PrivateFolio?” for more information.
  7. Communicate with Your Writers: Be sure to regularly communicate with your writers. Confirm deadlines after they agree to write, let them know to expect your autobiographical sketch and resume, let them know to expect the PrivateFolio upload link, and send polite reminders as you get closer to your agreed-upon deadlines.
  8. Upload your Documents to PrivateFolio: Be sure to upload your autobiographical sketch, resume, and transcript (and citation report if you have one) to PrivateFolio: These documents will be sent by HPP to your composite writer along with your support letters and instructions.
  9. Monitor Your PrivateFolio Account: Keep track of your support letters as they are submitted.
  10. Submit the Release to Composite Writer Form: When ALL your support letters are uploaded to PrivateFolio AND you have uploaded your autobiographical sketch, resume, and transcript, submit the Release to Composite Writer Form. This will prompt HPP to send your materials to your composite writer.
  11. Submit the Verification Notification Form to HPP: Do this once your primary application has been verified by AMCAS, AACOMAS, TMDSAS, or AADSAS to let us know. Please note that while we’ll take this information into account to help determine the order we review composite letters, it is NOT our only criteria. Other criteria we consider are the date composites are submitted, any time restraints composite writers might have, and the number of other applicants who have submitted the verification form with a similar timeline.

HPP'S STEPS

  1. Release Materials to Composite Writer: After HPP receives your Release to Composite Writer Form, we will compile your materials (support letters, autobiographical sketch, resume, and transcript) into a single PDF document that we will send to your composite writer, along with instructions and resources to help them with the writing process. This step generally takes HPP 1 – 3 business days to complete.

THE COMPOSITE WRITER’S STEPS

  1. Write the Composite Letter and Submit Draft to HPP: The composite writer will review your materials and integrate information and quotes from your materials with their own perspective to create a holistic evaluation. When they are finished writing, they’ll submit their composite draft to HPP for review. You should give your composite writer 4 – 6 weeks to write AT LEAST when agreeing on deadlines with your composite writer and support writers.

HPP’S FINAL STEPS

  1. Review the Composite Letter: After HPP receives the composite draft from your composite writer, it will go through our review process to ensure quality. If any edits are needed, we will work with your composite writer to create a final composite draft. This process can take 1 – 4 weeks depending on a variety of factors.
  2. Create the Final Composite Letter of Evaluation Packet: Once HPP and your composite writer have agreed on a final composite draft, HPP will create your Dartmouth Composite Letter of Evaluation Packet. This will include your composite letter, support letters, citation report (if you have one), and an HPP cover letter that explains the unique aspects of Dartmouth College. In general, this step can take 1 – 3 business days.
  3. Upload Your Composite Letter of Evaluation Packet to PrivateFolio: After HPP has created your packet, we will upload it to your PrivateFolio account and send you instructions on how to add it to AMCAS. Note that the process to add your application to AACOMAS, AADSAS, and TMDSAS is different. See Delivering Your Packet Instructions for more information.

YOUR FINAL STEPS

  1. Add Your Composite Letter of Evaluation Packet: Using the instructions HPP sends you, you will add your packet to AMCAS. Note that the process to add your application to AACOMAS, AADSAS, and TMDSAS is different. See Delivering Your Packet Instructions for more information.