Bates Medical Studies Committee Letter Applicants

In order to interview with the Bates Medical Studies Committee and receive a composite committee letter of evaluation, applicants must follow the Application Timeline and directions below. Medical, dental, and podiatry school applicants interested in applying for 2025 matriculation will go through the Bates Medical Studies Committee Letter process during the Winter/Spring of 2024.

Re-applicants are not required to re-interview with the Committee. However, it is necessary that all re-applicants discuss their application, including the Committee interview, with one of our pre-health advisors.

All documents for your file must be sent to James H. Smith by email: jsmith6@bates.edu

Application Timeline

Committee Letter Registration Form and Photograph Due January 15
Self-Assessment Guide and Resume Due February 1
Personal Statement and Unofficial Transcript/s Due February 15
Letters of Recommendation Due March 1
Mock Interview February/March
Committee Interview Early March – Mid April
AMCAS, AACOMAS, AADSAS Applications May/June (Submit ASAP!)

1. Committee Letter Registration Form

The Committee Letter Registration Form will open your medical studies file at the Bates Center for Purposeful Work.

  1. Download the Committee Letter Registration Form PDF, save to your computer as you progress through the form, and follow the submission directions on the form. Please Note: The Registration Form requires that you download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader DC PDF software. Users of MAC computers should especially avoid MAC’s “Preview” software when completing this form: After downloading Adobe and saving the Committee Letter Registration Form file to your computer, right click the Registration Form PDF file rather than double clicking, choose “open with”, and select the Adobe Acrobat option (rather than Mac’s default “Preview” software).
  2. Submit a passport-style photo along with the Registration Form.
  3. Registration Forms must be submitted by January 15.
  4. After submitting the registration form, make an appointment to meet with an advisor (Bruno Salazar-Perea) to discuss your application plans.

Note: Should you have any updates or changes to report regarding information previously provided on your registration form, such as a new MCAT score, change in test date, new email address, changes to your list of letter writers, etc., you are required to edit your registration form with those changes and re-submit the pdf to the Committee.

2. Self-Assessment

The Self-Assessment form helps you prepare your strongest application.

  1. Download the Self-Assessment PDF, and save to your computer as you progress through the form. Please Note: The Self Assessment form requires that you download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader DC PDF software. Users of MAC computers should especially avoid MAC’s “Preview” software when completing this form: After downloading Adobe and saving the Self-Assessment file to your computer, right click the Self-Assessment PDF file rather than double clicking, choose “open with”, and select the Adobe Acrobat option (rather than Mac’s default “Preview” software).
  2. Submit form by February 1

3. Resume

Please include all extracurricular activities and offices held, medically-related experiences such as shadowing, volunteer activities, internships, and jobs.

Resume guides are available through the Bates Center for Purposeful Work.

1) Please have Bruno Salazar-Perea critique your resume before submission
2) Submit a final copy by February 1

4. Unofficial Transcript

You must obtain an unofficial transcript. Include transcripts from all post-high school courses including summer courses at other colleges.

1) Visit the Bates Registrar’s webpage to see how to request an electronic copy
2) Submit copies by February 15

5. Personal Statement

This essay typically requires a few drafts. Please visit the Personal Statement webpage for resources and more information on how to write your personal statement.

A version must be in your medical studies file by February 15.

6. Brief Narrative (For Re-Applicants)

Please provide a Brief Narrative outlining the steps you have taken to improve your application, by February 1

7. Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are critical for a successful application. Please visit the Letters of Recommendation webpage for more information.

The Committee recommendation will be based in part on your individual references (in addition to your academic record, registration form, interview, etc). Letters of recommendation are a vital part of your application, and one should take great care in selecting individuals who are to serve as references. Be sure to discuss overall academic work, non-academic activities, and professional goals with these individuals. It is best to provide them with a résumé, a personal statement (if you have a rough draft), and a current unofficial transcript.

One should not hesitate to ask whether or not an individual is willing to give strong support (this does not mean that he/she should not discuss weaknesses as well as strengths). In addition to science professors, choose individuals who know you in different ways so the professional school gets a broad picture of your background and qualifications. Experts who have observed you in a professional capacity, for example, might also be a valuable reference.

Medical schools are increasingly setting a limit on the number of individual letters of recommendation that they will review. Michigan Medicine, for example, requires a minimum of three letters, and a maximum of four letters.

Your references and release forms must be submitted by March 1.

8. Mock Interview

All students and alumni are welcome to schedule a mock interview in preparation for their Committee interview. Mock interviews can be scheduled with Bruno Salazar-Perea at the Bates Center for Purposeful Work.

9. Med Studies Committee Interview

A series of dates will be set up in the early spring based on committee members’ availability. Interviews will be conducted between March 1- April 14. You will then have the opportunity to choose an interview slot as long as your file is complete. You will be contacted to schedule the interview.

10. Primary Application

AMCAS, AACOMAS, and AADSAS are centralized application services that allow you to complete only one application, which the service will verify for accuracy and then distribute to your designated schools. Please visit our FAQ page for more information on this process.

  • Early May: AMCAS application opens.
  • Late May/Early June: AMCAS officially opens for application submission.
  • Early May: AACOMAS officially opens for application submission.
  • Mid-May: AADSAS application opens.
  • Mid-June: AADSAS officially opens for application submission.

Important note, your references do not need to be uploaded in order for you to submit your application or for your application to be verified. We suggest that you submit your application as soon as possible, and your letters will be uploaded as soon as they are ready.

11. Sending References to Medical/Dental Schools

Committee Letters are finalized and ready for submission by July 1st, pending submission of all required documents to the Bates Medical Studies Committee.

After you submit your primary application, send James Smith your AMCAS letter request form PDF, and/or your AACOMAS/AADSAS ID number and electronic letter request.

Your references and committee letter will be uploaded to AMCAS, AACOMAS, or AADSAS to be sent to the medical/dental schools you selected in your application.

Medical/dental schools may request an additional application referred to as the Secondary Application. These applications involve short essays. FILL THEM OUT ASAP!!