How do I submit letters of recommendation to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine?

Submit through AMCAS Letter Service. Applicants assign letters to individual school applications after uploading to AMCAS.

Medical school — Maryland

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Letters of Recommendation Requirements

Q: Who should write letters of recommendation for Johns Hopkins School of Medicine?

Most applicants submit 2 science faculty letters and at least 1 letter from a clinical, research, or service supervisor. The most effective letters for Johns Hopkins come from faculty who taught upper-level courses or supervised independent research, and from clinical or service supervisors who can describe direct observations of patient interaction, professionalism, and motivation.

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine uses letters of recommendation to assess qualities that are difficult to evaluate through grades and test scores alone, including intellectual curiosity, perseverance, communication, ethical judgment, and commitment to medicine. This guide covers how many letters are required, who should write them, and how to submit through AMCAS.

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Minimum letters3

Maximum letters6

Science letters2 recommended

Committee letterPreferred / Optional

SubmissionAMCAS Letter Service

Letter of Recommendation Requirements

Johns Hopkins prefers a composite committee letter from the applicant's undergraduate institution. Applicants from schools without pre-medical committees should submit a minimum of three individual letters, typically including two science faculty letters and at least one letter from a physician, clinical supervisor, or research mentor. A maximum of six letters is typically accepted through AMCAS.

Who Should Write Your Letters

The most effective letters for Johns Hopkins come from faculty who taught upper-level courses or supervised independent research, and from clinical or service supervisors who can describe direct observations of patient interaction, professionalism, and motivation. Letters should go beyond academic performance to include character and interpersonal qualities.

How to Submit Letters to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

All letters are submitted through the AMCAS Letter Service. Applicants should review the Johns Hopkins secondary application each cycle for updated letter requirements or any program-specific instructions for the MD-PhD, MD-MPH, or other dual-degree tracks.

Tips for a Strong Letter Package

Start the committee letter process early if your school offers one. Johns Hopkins admissions is highly competitive, and a thoughtfully coordinated letter package can reinforce themes in your personal statement and activities list. Brief each recommender on the qualities you want highlighted and the experiences you shared with them.

Verify current requirements: Medical school admission requirements change by cycle. Always confirm letter requirements directly on Johns Hopkins School of Medicine's official admissions website and through the current AMCAS instructions before submitting your application.

Common questions

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Recommendation Letter FAQ

How many letters of recommendation does Johns Hopkins School of Medicine require?

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine typically requires a minimum of 3 letters and accepts up to 6 letters through AMCAS. Committee letter preferred; individual letters accepted.

Does Johns Hopkins School of Medicine require a committee letter?

Committee letter preferred; individual letters accepted. If your undergraduate school does not have a pre-medical advisory committee, submit the required number of individual letters instead.

Who should write my letters for Johns Hopkins School of Medicine?

Most applicants submit 2 letters from science faculty and at least 1 letter from a clinical, research, or service supervisor who can speak to qualities beyond academic performance.

How do I submit letters to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine?

Submit through AMCAS Letter Service. Recommenders upload letters through a unique link provided by AMCAS, and applicants then assign letters to each school application.

When should I ask for letters of recommendation?

Ask recommenders three to four months before the application opens. Provide each recommender with your personal statement draft, activities list, transcript, and a few reminders of work you completed together. Follow up with a thank-you after submission.

Related resources

Medical School Recommendation Letter Templates

Use these resources to prepare your recommendation letters for Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and other medical school applications.