ʻImi Hoʻōla Post Baccalaureate Program

We have implemented a new letter of recommendation submission process.  ʻImi will review the 2 letters of recommendation listed on your application.  ʻImi has also added a section to include an alternate letter writer that can be submitted and will be reviewed if needed.

Letters of recommendation are an integral part of the admission process and are carefully reviewed. The recommender should be able to accurately assess your academic and professional performance and comment on your potential to succeed in the ʻImi Hoʻōla Post-Baccalaureate Program at the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Since the number of qualified applicants exceeds the space available each year, we wish to select individuals whose personal attributes and abilities indicate that they have the potential for success in a rigorous training program and, ultimately, as competent, compassionate healthcare professionals.

Applicants will enter the contact information of the recommenders in the online application.  A generated email and link will be emailed to the recommender.  This link is unique to each recommender and should not be forwarded to others.

Letters of recommendation must be submitted directly from the recommender by the submission deadline. No third-party recommendation letters will be accepted (i.e. Interfolio or similar system).

The following questions should be answered within the letter of recommendation.

1) Letter writers should answer the following questions within their letter of recommendation:

• How long have you known this applicant and in what capacity? How frequent is/was your interaction with the applicant?
• What are the applicant’s strengths, particularly as it might apply to the study and practice of medicine?
• What are the applicant’s needs/challenges, particularly as they might apply to the study and practice of medicine?

2) Letters should comment on the following attributes of the applicant:

• Basic Competence: Reflected in general academic achievement, especially in reading and writing skills.
• Need: From a socioeconomically and/or educationally disadvantaged background.
• Service: Demonstrated commitment and/or potential to serve in underserved communities (i.e. past employment or volunteer health experiences).
• Maturity: Responsible, independent, reliable, and able to work with others. 
• Motivation: Strength of desire to pursue medicine;  perseverance.
• Humanism: Desire to help, compassion, warmth, sincerity, empathy, nurturing nature.
• Leadership: Successful leadership experience(s); evidence of influencing others (e.g., in sports, church, clubs). 
• Communication Skills: Ability to express ideas and opinions clearly and to listen attentively. 

3) Letters should provide an overall recommendation:

• Strongly recommend admission to the ʻImi Hoʻōla Post-Baccalaureate Program
• Recommend
• Recommend with reservations
• Do not recommend

Please submit the completed Letter of Recommendation through the recommender link by 11:59 p.m. November 1, 2023 (HST). Letters received after the deadline will NOT be accepted. Do not give it to the applicant to submit. Faxed, mailed, or hand-delivered letters will not be accepted.

Should you have any questions regarding this request or process, send an email to: imihoola@hawaii.edu