Updates on Pre-Health Application Support

03/02/2032

Dear Stony Brook University Community,

I am writing to share an update on the committee letters process that has traditionally been used for students applying to professional health programs. We will shift away from providing committee letters and will focus our efforts on other resources to support our students’ success when applying to these programs.  

For students applying to professional health programs for the 2025 cycle and later, the university will no longer offer committee letters. Starting next academic year, Academic Transfer and Advising Services will introduce a variety of programming to help students prepare for the application process to professional programs. Areas of focus include a personal statement workshop, strategies for identifying faculty who can serve as recommenders, and peer networking. 

This change is aimed at strengthening students’ overall application packages to professional health programs. As we move away from the committee letter, if you see some health professions schools that refer to a committee letter, please know that this is only if the undergraduate institution offers this service. It will not negatively impact a student's application if you do not have a committee letter. In fact, many other leading universities, such as Rutgers, Florida, and UC-Berkeley, have also shifted away from committee letters for similar reasons, to more comprehensively support students in their application process, and assist them in identifying recommenders who know them well and have closely observed their academic and professional strengths. 

We have created a set of FAQs to answer additional questions. Click here to view them on the Pre-Health Advising website.

Sincerely,
Carl