1. How many referees do I need?

• You will need to identify three (3) referees on the Supplemental Application Form.
• You will need to provide their name, telephone number and email address.

2.  How do I choose my referees?

• Applicants should select referees who can speak about their ability as a student, their work background and community experiences.
• Choose referees who know you well and can comment on your strengths and weaknesses and who have had an evaluative role. We recommend that you choose referees who have known you for a minimum of two years.
• Choosing high profile referees who do not know you well and have a casual passing relationship with you will have little or no benefit.
• We will not consider references from immediate family members including in-laws, spouses, siblings, nieces, nephews, etc. according to the Nepotism Policy at the University of Manitoba.  This policy can be found at the following link:  http://umanitoba.ca/admin/governance/governing_documents/community/911.htm
• The Admissions Committee may elect to contact these individuals to verify their reference.
• Referee letters are held in the strictest confidence and are not released to the applicant.
• Once your application is submitted to the Admissions Office, changes can not be made.  This includes changes of referees.  Therefore, ensure your referee is aware of this and that they are committed to submitting the required forms and letter of support.

3.  Do I need to include the reference letters with my application?

• No.  All that you are required to do is complete the section on the Supplemental Application Form.
• In the future, the Admissions Office will send you an email to inform you that the Referee process is open.  It is your responsibility to contact all of your referees and ensure they complete the required paperwork and letter of reference and submit it to the Admissions Office.
• If a letter is received from your reference prior to the opening of this process, the letter will be disregarded.

4.  When are the reference letters due?

• Reference letters for Manitoba and Aboriginal applicants are due in early December.
• Reference letters for Out-of-Province applicants are due in early February.

5.  Where do my referees find the required paperwork to submit to the Admissions Office?

• You will be contacted with information regarding the website link with the necessary paperwork.

6.  What if you don't receive my referee letter?

• The Admissions Office carefully tracks all referee letters that arrive at the office.
• In March, you will be notified if your referee did not submit a letter on your behalf.
• Your application will not be disqualified but it will be considered incomplete until the referee letter is received.
• If  you are NOT contacted by the Admissions Office in regard to your reference letters, you can assume that all of your letters have been received.  Due to the volume of letters received, it is not possible to inform all applicants that the letters have arrived at the office.

7.  Will you accept letters from the Health Professions Advisory Committee?

• No, we do not accept reference letters from the Health Professions Advisory Committee.