Guidance on Letters of Evaluation

                                                  i.      For promotion candidates
               1.      Below are basic descriptions of each category, see here for more detail from UMass-Chan:

a.     Category 1 letter writers are attestations from colleagues or current/recent collaborators who know you well and want to support your promotion. These are usually one rank ahead of you, but not always.

b.     Category 2 letter writers provide an external letter of review, also known as "arm’s length” letter writers. Category 2 letter writers MUST attest that they have done no collaboration or shared work with you for at least 3 years, and may not know you personally at all. They should all be at least AT the rank you are applying for (ONE RANK  ahead of you). Click here to download a checklist to help you prepare Category 2 letters. Talk to your supervisor and mentors about who might meet these criteria, and please let DPAC know if you have trouble identifying category 2 letter writers. 

                                                                                                                          i.      STFM also has a letter writers’ bureau. To access it, please visit the STFM website, log into the “quick consult” platform, and choose “Letters for promotion”

c.      Category 3 letters are optional. They are written by learners or mentees who can attest to your effectiveness in educational activities.

                                               
ii.      For letter writers

1.   Academic Promotion:
a. Here is an article about Writing an External Letter of Review for Promotion 

      b. Here is a template for writing an external letter of review.

2.   Academic appointment:
a. Here is a template for writing a letter of recommendation for appointment