The Health Professions Advisory Committee was formed at CSUSB in 1974 for the primary purpose of assisting students who desire to apply to dental, medical, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, or podiatry school. In this role, the committee provides information regarding prerequisite course, accumulates information on specific programs, runs workshops on the application process and on different careers, and writes summary evaluations letters for those students applying to programs that prefer such a letter. For the 2007-2008 academic year, the committee is composed of Dr. Stuart Sumida (chair), Dr. Nicole Bournias, Dr. Kevin Middleton, and Dr. Colleen Talbot.
Most medical schools (allopathic as well as osteopathic) and some dental schools prefer to receive a summary letter of evaluation if such an option is available. Notably, it is not legal for any professional school to require such a letter; they may only prefer one. Legal action in the early 1990’s noted that requiring such letters discriminated against students who do not have campuses with such committees or students who prefer not to use such committees.
To begin the process of obtaining a Committee letter, download the two forms listed below (freely download Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word Viewer). Read the Information Cover Sheet and fill out the Student Data Sheet. Either email the Student Data Sheet along with the names and contact information for three evaluators who will write your letters of recommendation to Dr. Stuart Sumida or return it to his office (BI-314).