A letter packet includes an applicant’s letters of evaluation, along with a cover sheet that includes important facts about GVSU. It does not provide a committee evaluation (like the committee letter did when it was offered). However, letters will be attached to the cover sheet in order of strength, and staff will ensure they are in the proper format (i.e. on letterhead with a signature) before submitting the letter packet to the medical or dental school application.

For applicants applying through AMCAS:

1. Go to the Letters of Evaluation section in AMCAS and add an evaluation.
2. Enter Letter Packet for the Letter Title and select GVSU.
3. For Primary Contact/Author, use Julie Mattox’s information (see below).
4. Hit Save, then select "Yes" to generate your Letter Request Form.
5. Save the AMCAS Letter Request Form, and upload it to the GVSU Letter Packet Application.

For applicants applying through AACOMAS or AADSAS:

1. Go to the Supporting Information section in AACOMAS/AADSAS and add click on Evaluations.
2. Select Create Evaluation Request, and choose "Yes" next to "Are you requesting a committee evaluation" - note that letter packets are classified under a committee evaluation in AACOMAS/AADSAS.
3. For Primary Contact/Author, use Julie Mattox’s information (see below).
4. For Due Date – select any date you’d like (it won’t affect the application, it’s only a suggested date for us to submit the letter packet).
5. Personal Message to your Evaluator: indicate you are requesting a letter packet.
6. Waive your rights, and indicate permissions, then Save This Evaluation Request. An email will be sent to Julie Mattox with your evaluation request, so no further action is required.

Primary Contact/Author:
Ms. Julie Mattox
Assistant Director
CLAS Academic Advising Center, Grand Valley State University
1 Campus Dr.
Allendale, MI 49401
616-331-8585
[email protected]

Current GVSU students and recent alumni are eligible for a letter packet. Students who have completed post-baccalaureate or graduate work at another institution are no longer eligible for a GVSU letter packet; however, letters from previous letter packets can be requested from the advising office in certain circumstances. Email [email protected] with questions.

1. Complete a waiver (waiving your rights to view your letters of evaluation is recommended as it is preferred by medical schools)
2. Upload your Self-Assessment PDF after meeting with an advisor (see above for more details; your advisor will send you the PDF after your meeting with them)
3. Request a minimum of three STRONG letters of evaluation

-All letters of evaluation must be received in order for your letter packet to be initiated/completed. 

1. Complete a questionnaire 
2. Upload a photo/headshot of yourself (optional) This photo does NOT get shared with any professional school
3. Upload the PDF of your AMCAS Letter Request Form (if applying through AMCAS)

GVSU has discontinued the committee letter service indefinitely. For more information, please refer to the  November 2023 Memorandum on the Status of Committee Letters

Refer to the medical/dental schools you are applying to for specific requirements of number and type of letters. You should ask people who know you well.  It’s recommended to ask 3 faculty who have taught you in class (two science, one non-science) and one practicing clinician (preferably one who has observed you in a clinical setting).  Note: Dental students should try to obtain a letter from a D.D.S. or D.M.D.

No, we are unable to split up the letter packet. The GVSU Letter Packet will include all letters submitted to the Letter Packet Application, we are unable to split letters between schools. This is not typically an issue at the professional schools as they will review letters from the letter packet that meet their requirements.

No, you can submit the primary application before your letter packet is done/submitted. Letters are part of the secondary application process; however, it is ideal to complete the letter packet application EARLY so you can ensure the letter packet is submitted in a timely manner.

• Transcripts must be sent from EACH school you have attended to AMCAS/AACOMAS/AADSAS. The first step is to enter each school in the "Colleges Attended" section of the professional school application. You can order your official GVSU transcripts through Banner, following these steps (note that these are steps for ordering GVSU transcripts; if you have attended other institutions, those must be requested through that institution): 
  • Go to Student, then Student Records. The fastest option is to "Order Official Electronic Transcript" - clicking this link will direct you to Parchment to order your transcripts sent electronically
  • Within the Parchment website, you can type in AMCAS or AACOMAS or AADSAS, etc. into the search titled "Where would you like to send the credential?", then click on the application service
    •  For AACOMAS, AADSAS, VMCAS, PharmCAS, OptomCAS: "Please enter SCHOOL'S UNIQUE TRANSCRIPT barcode ID" - this is found by going into your AACOMAS, AADSAS, etc. application, clicking on Colleges Attended, and clicking on "Order" under GVSU. 
    • AMCAS applicants should enter their AAMC ID and Transcript ID found on the AMCAS Transcript Request form generated in AMCAS
• While e-transcripts are recommended you may also request a mailed transcript through Banner. If you opt to do this, then you must send the transcript request form from AMCAS/AACOMAS/AADSAS to [email protected] so that it can accompany your transcript when it is sent.
• You can order your transcripts as soon as applications open; be sure to do this EARLY - it should be one of the first things you do after starting to work on the application to ensure there are not delays in your application processing.