Do Med School Admissions Share Letters with Each Other?

Applying to medical school is a competitive and often stressful process. From securing strong letters of recommendation to crafting a compelling personal statement, every detail matters. One question many applicants ask is: “Do med school admissions share letters with each other?” This concern often arises from students reapplying to multiple schools or switching programs. In this article, we’ll clarify how letters of recommendation are handled, explore whether medical schools share admissions materials, and explain what applicants should be aware of during the application process.

Do Medical Schools Share Letters of Recommendation?

Short Answer: No, medical schools do not share letters of recommendation.

Medical schools operate independently, even when they are part of centralized application services like AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) or AACOMAS (for DO schools). Each school receives the same core application material submitted by the applicant, including:

• Transcripts

• Personal statement

• MCAT scores

• Letters of recommendation

However, once a school receives your application materials, they do not share those materials with other institutions. Admissions committees are bound by confidentiality agreements and privacy laws like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) in the U.S.

How Letters of Recommendation Are Submitted

Medical school letters of recommendation are typically submitted through:

• AMCAS Letter Service (for MD schools in the U.S.)

• AACOMAS (for osteopathic medical schools)

• Interfolio (a third-party letter management system)

• Direct upload to a school’s admissions portal (for non-AMCAS schools or international applications)

Once these letters are uploaded, they are routed to individual schools chosen by the applicant. Even though a professor might write one general letter, the system allows it to be sent to multiple schools without revealing which other institutions received it.

What About Reapplying? Will Schools Know I Applied Before?

Many applicants are concerned about being labeled a “reapplicant.” If you’re applying again after a previous cycle, will schools know? The answer is yes, but only if you reapply to the same school.

• Schools will have internal records of previous applicants.

• They do not have access to your applications to other schools, even if you’re using AMCAS or AACOMAS again.

• Letters of recommendation are not shared across schools or cycles unless you submit them again.

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Tip: If you are reapplying, consider updating your letters of recommendation or adding new ones to reflect your growth and changes since your previous application.

Is There a Central Database That Tracks Applicants?

No. While centralized systems like AMCAS manage applications, there is no centralized database accessible to individual medical schools that tracks all of your applications across institutions.

Each medical school sees only:

• The materials you submit to them

• Your interview performance (if granted)

• Their evaluation results

They do not know:

• Which other schools did you apply to

• Whether other schools interviewed or rejected you

• What other letters were sent elsewhere

Are Letters Confidential?

Yes, letters of recommendation are confidential unless you waive your right to view them. When submitting your application through AMCAS or Interfolio, you are given the choice to waive or retain your access.

Why waive access?
Admissions committees tend to give more weight to letters when applicants waive their access, as it suggests the letter writer was candid.

Regardless of your choice, schools cannot share these letters without your explicit permission.

Could Professors or Advisors Leak Information?

While extremely rare, it is technically possible that a professor or pre-health advisor who knows admissions officers at multiple schools could mention a student’s application in conversation. However, this would be a breach of ethical boundaries and is strongly discouraged.

Universities have strict codes of conduct about applicant confidentiality. Faculty members writing letters of recommendation are expected to handle information professionally and privately.

International and Non-AMCAS Applications

For those applying to medical schools outside the U.S. or those not using centralized systems, it’s important to note:

• Some schools require direct submission of letters to their admissions departments.

• Letters sent directly to a school will only be seen by that school.

• There is still no known practice of sharing letters between medical schools internationally.

Common Myths About Medical School Admissions and Sharing Letters

Let’s debunk a few common myths:

Tips for Managing Letters of Recommendation Safely

1. Choose trustworthy letter writers who understand the importance of confidentiality.

2. Use centralized services like AMCAS or Interfolio for better tracking and control.

3. Communicate your deadlines and target schools to your recommenders.

4. Waive your right to access letters if you trust your writer – it adds credibility.

5. Follow up professionally, but avoid micromanaging the process.

Read Also: University of Utah Acceptance Rate for International Students

Final Verdict: No, Med Schools Do Not Share Letters

Medical school admissions committees work under strict confidentiality policies. Letters of recommendation, personal statements, and all other materials you submit are only accessible to the school you send them. There is no inter-school sharing of application materials, including letters, unless you authorize it.

So, if you’re applying to multiple schools, rest assured: your materials stay private. Focus instead on strengthening your application and ensuring your recommenders submit high-quality, tailored letters.