Dental school letters of recommendation: who to ask, how to ask and what a strong letter says

Who to ask

Choose people who know you well over people with impressive titles. A detailed letter from someone who watched you work beats a short one from someone famous.

• A professor or instructor who taught you and can compare you with other students.
• A dentist you shadowed for a meaningful stretch and who saw you with patients.
• A research mentor or supervisor who saw how reliable you are.
• A work or volunteer supervisor who can speak to character and teamwork.

Check each school first

Some programs say who the letters should come from, and how many they need. Advanced standing programs differ widely. Boston University lists three letters for its DMD Advanced Standing program: one from a dental school dean and two from dental school faculty. The University of Louisville lists two for international advanced standing: one professional and one from the dean or senior administrator of your dental school.

Make a short table of every program and its requirements before you ask anyone.

How to ask

1. Ask early, ideally a month or more before your deadline, in person or by a polite email.
2. Ask whether they can write you a strong letter. It gives them a kind way to say no.
3. Send a short packet: your résumé, a draft of your statement, a few moments they saw you at your best, the deadline and how the letter is submitted.
4. Remind them once, politely, as the deadline approaches.
5. Thank them, and tell them where you are accepted.

What a strong letter says

• How long and in what capacity the writer has known the applicant.
• Two or three specific examples: a case, a project, a hard moment, with what the applicant did.
• A comparison with others at the same stage, with a number where possible, such as "top 5 of 120 students".
• Qualities that matter in dentistry: manual dexterity, judgment, empathy, professionalism, reliability and communication.
• Honesty. One real area of growth makes the praise believable.
• A clear recommendation.

What recommenders should avoid

• General praise with nothing behind it, such as "hard-working and motivated".
• A template letter sent to every student.
• Exaggeration. Committees read hundreds of letters and notice it.

If you are a recommender who wants help

Many recommenders are busy and want to write well. Gathering what you know first helps: how you met, two or three examples and how the applicant compares with others. Our form walks you through those questions, and we reply by email.

The letter has to be your own opinion. You read it, change it and sign it. We never send a letter in someone's name without their review.

If you are an international dentist

Letters often come from a dean, a faculty member and a clinical supervisor, and each office has its own routine. It is sensible to ask early and to confirm how the letter will be submitted.