{"id":4029,"date":"2021-04-09T10:44:38","date_gmt":"2021-04-09T14:44:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/?page_id=4029"},"modified":"2025-09-30T10:48:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T14:48:40","slug":"instructions-for-completing-the-portfolio","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/applicants\/instructions-for-completing-the-portfolio\/","title":{"rendered":"Instructions for Completing the Portfolio"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carefully read these Instructions and the instructions in the Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections.\u00a0 You must also read the \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/applicants\/prehealth-faqs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQs for Current Applicants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d before completing the Portfolio.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must be a current BU undergraduate student or an alumnus who has received a bachelor\u2019s degree from BU and be applying to enter professional school in the fall of 2027 to submit the Portfolio.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>2027 Applicants:<\/b><\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><b>If this is your first time submitting a Portfolio or;<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>If you previously submitted a Portfolio but you have not yet hit your lifetime Comprehensive Advising Appointment limit<\/b><\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/pre-health-101\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enroll in our Pre-Health 101 Blackboard page<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go to the 2027 Applicants page found in the Pre-Health 101 Blackboard site and complete Module 1 of the 2027 Application Module. You can find more information about the 2027 Application Module<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/applicants\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Register for the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/calendar\/?eid=309563\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2027 Application Meeting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review all the information below, the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/applicants\/instructions-for-completing-the-portfolio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instructions for Completing the Portfolio,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/applicants\/prehealth-faqs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQs for Current Applicants.<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Submit the 2027 Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections by January 7, 2026, 5pm ET. Even individuals who have previously submitted a Portfolio must submit a 2027 Portfolio by the stated deadline.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applicants who successfully submit the Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections by the deadline (January 7 by 5pm ET) will receive:<\/span><\/i><i><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><i><span>A Comprehensive Advising Appointment for the 2027 cycle (taking place in February &#8211; April 2026) and follow up appointments to review updated materials (see appointment limits)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Letter Packet for the 2027 cycle (medical and dental applicants only)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access to the Interview Preparation Series for the 2027 cycle<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Please note:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individuals who wish to qualify for an early CAA must submit a Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections by <\/span><b>November 14, 2025 5:00pm ET (optional early deadline)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0 A limited amount of early CAAs will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><\/ul>\n<p><i><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><b>If you have previously submitted a portfolio &amp; hit your lifetime Comprehensive Advising Appointment limit (i.e. you are no longer eligible to schedule a CAA):<\/b><\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/pre-health-101\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enroll in our Pre-Health 101 Blackboard page<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go to the 2027 Cycle Applicants page found in the Pre-Health 101 Blackboard site and complete Module 2 of the 2027 Application Module. You can find more information about the 2027 Application Module<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/applicants\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Register for the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/calendar\/?eid=309563\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2027 Application Meeting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review all the information below, the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/applicants\/instructions-for-completing-the-portfolio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instructions for Completing the Portfolio,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/applicants\/prehealth-faqs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQs for Current Applicants.<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Submit the 2027 Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections by January 30, 2026 by 5pm ET to begin meeting with a pre-health advisor in February \u2013 May. Even individuals who have previously submitted a Portfolio must submit a 2027 Portfolio by the stated deadline.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applicants who successfully submit the Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections by the deadline (January 30 by 5pm ET) will receive:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Regular appointments to review updated materials (beginning in February; see appointment limits)<\/em><\/li>\n<li><i><span>A Letter Packet for the 2027 cycle (medical and dental applicants only)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access to the Interview Preparation Series for the 2027 cycle<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Please note:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To begin meeting with a pre-health advisor to discuss your updated application materials in <\/span><b>December or January<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you must submit the PAR by the optional early deadline of <\/span><b>November, 14, 2025<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To begin meeting with a pre-health advisor to discuss your updated application materials in <\/span><b>January<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you must submit the PAR by the<\/span><b> January 7, 2026 deadline<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><b>2026 Applicants:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you were a 2025 applicant to health profession school and missed the 2026 portfolio deadline, please email preprof@bu.edu with your name, BU ID, and confirmation that you were a 2025 applicant to receive access to the 2026 Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections (PAR) will provide applicants with an excellent opportunity to thoughtfully reflect upon their accomplishments and organize much of the material required for primary (and some secondary\/supplemental) applications.\u00a0 It will also provide pre-health advisors with important information that will help them assess individuals\u2019 preparedness for the application process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before completing the Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections, you may find it useful to use our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/files\/2021\/10\/Reflection_Worksheet_Fillable_21.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reflection Template<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a guide to help you thoughtfully convey your narrative.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Deadlines<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>See above for relevant deadlines.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All letters of recommendation to be included in a Letter Packet must be received by the Preprofessional Advising Office by<\/span><b> June 10, 2026 11:59pm ET<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is your responsibility to be sure that your completed PAR is submitted and received by the Preprofessional Advising Office on or before the stated deadlines. The deadlines for the submission of the PAR are firm! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only individuals who have submitted an application(s) to enter health profession school in the fall of 2026 may request to waive the deadline.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Personal Data<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provide the identifying information requested in the PAR. It is critical that you inform the Preprofessional Advising Office of any changes to your contact information to ensure that you receive updated information about the application process during the spring and summer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Academic Summary<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have not yet taken the MCAT, DAT, GRE, or other required standardized test(s), indicate the month during which you intend to take the standardized test. Please be sure to release your scores to the Preprofessional Advising Office when you register for the exam and submit the required standardized test scores to us as soon as they become available.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Sections A - F<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individuals who are current 2026 applicants to health profession school or who have previously applied to health profession school may choose to upload ONE .pdf file of their previous verified health profession school application in lieu of submitting a .pdf file of sections (a)-(f) of the Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections. If you choose not to upload a .pdf of your previous application, then you MUST complete sections (a)-(f) of the Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections in the required format.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you applied to multiple application services (example: AMCAS, AACOMAS, TMDSAS), please only choose ONE application to upload.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>For AMCAS applications, your <strong>description<\/strong> and <strong>reflection\u00a0<\/strong>for each activity <strong>must not exceed 700 characters combined.\u00a0<\/strong>For non-AMCAS applications, including but not limited to AADSAS, AACOMAS, AACPMCAS, NursingCAS, CASPA, OPTOMCAS, and VMCAS, your <strong>description\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<strong>reflection\u00a0<\/strong>for each activity\u00a0<strong>must not exceed 600 characters combined.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re applying to allopathic medical schools through AMCAS, please designate your <strong>3 most meaningful experiences<\/strong> in your activity section. You should state &#8220;most meaningful&#8221; after listing your position title. <strong>For your 3 most meaningful experiences, in addition to the<\/strong><strong> 700 characters for the experience description, you have an additional 1325 characters for your most meaningful experience remarks (i.e. you will have 2025 characters total for your three most meaningful experiences). <\/strong><strong>Your description and reflection must not exceed these character limits and you may only designate 3 of your activities as &#8220;most meaningful.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h5>A. Honors<\/h5>\n<p>In chronological order (newest to oldest), list any honors you received. Include the date and the accomplishments for which you were honored. Do not include honors you received in high school.<\/p>\n<h5>B. Employment<\/h5>\n<p>Beginning with the summer before college, in chronological order (newest to oldest), list your paid employment positions (excluding clinical and research experiences). \u00a0Include the dates (months and years) during which you were employed, describe your role and responsibilities within each organization, and include thoughtful reflections of your experiences.<\/p>\n<h5>C. School-Related Extracurricular Activities<\/h5>\n<p>In chronological order (newest to oldest), list your school-related extracurricular activities (clubs, projects, community service, positions in student government, student organizations, committees, etc.). \u00a0Describe your role in each organization (e.g. if you list a community service program, state what you did in the program), and include thoughtful reflections of your experiences.<\/p>\n<h5>D. Non-School-Related Extracurricular Activities<\/h5>\n<p>In chronological order (newest to oldest), list your non-school-related extracurricular activities (social, fraternal, religious, community, political organization, etc.). \u00a0Describe your role in each organization, and include thoughtful reflections of your experiences.<\/p>\n<h5>E. Clinical Experiences<\/h5>\n<p>In chronological order (newest to oldest), list any clinical experiences you have had in the medical, dental, veterinary, or other fields, including any certifications (e.g. EMT, CNA, Plebotomy, etc.).\u00a0 Indicate whether these positions are paid or volunteer. Describe your responsibilities and accomplishments for each experience, and include thoughtful reflections of your experiences.<\/p>\n<h5>F. Research Experiences<\/h5>\n<p>In chronological order (newest to oldest), list any research experiences you have had, including any publications or presentations. Indicate whether these positions are paid or volunteer. Explain the goals of the research, the responsibilities assigned to you, and include thoughtful reflections of your experiences.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Institutional Action<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As part of the application process to health profession schools, you are required to report any institutional action resulting from unacceptable academic performance or conduct violations. For example, the AMCAS application has previously asked, \u201cWere you ever the recipient of any institutional action by any college or medical school for unacceptable academic performance or conduct violation, even though such action may not have interrupted your enrollment or required you to withdraw?\u201d And it further states, \u201cYou must answer \u2018Yes\u2019 even if the action does not appear on or has been deleted or expunged from your official transcripts due to institutional policy or personal petition.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you were the recipient of any institutional action by Boston University for a conduct violation, you must submit a sanction letter from the Office of Judicial Affairs to the Preprofessional Advising Office.\u00a0 Allow sufficient time (2-3 weeks) to receive the letter, so you can upload it to your Portfolio. \u00a0 To submit a request for a sanction letter, complete a<\/span><a href=\"\/prehealth\/files\/2025\/01\/JA-Records-Release-Form-2025.pdf\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Judicial Affairs Records Release Form<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a copy of a photo ID to Judicial Affairs judws@bu.edu.\u00a0 If you do not receive the letter in time to upload it, you may submit the letter directly to the Preprofessional Advising Office.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you were the recipient of any institutional action by Boston University for a violation of the Academic Conduct Code or unacceptable academic performance leading to a grade penalty, probation, suspension, or expulsion, you must submit documentation from the appropriate school\/college to the Preprofessional Advising Office. Allow sufficient time (2-3 weeks) to receive the letter, so you can upload it to your Portfolio. If you took courses or attended another college\/university other than Boston University and were the recipient of any institutional action by said institution (e.g. any conduct violation or academic misconduct), you must submit documentation from the appropriate college\/university to the Preprofessional Advising Office. Allow sufficient time (2-3 weeks) to receive the documentation so you can upload it to your Portfolio.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you do not have anything to report in this section, you must indicate \u201cNot Applicable.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individuals who schedule appointments with advisors to discuss their application materials should be prepared to discuss these types of violations during their appointment(s). It is in your best interest to meet with a pre-health advisor to discuss any institutional actions you may have incurred, even if you consider them to be minor violations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Felonies and Misdemeanors<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please disclose and explain any felonies or misdemeanors that may appear on your record.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you do not have anything to report in this section, you must indicate \u201cNot Applicable.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individuals who schedule a CAA should be prepared to discuss these types of violations during their CAA. If you are not eligible for a CAA for any reason, In addition, we strongly encourage you to meet with a pre-health advisor to discuss any institutional actions you may have incurred, even if you consider them to be minor violations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Personal Statement<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Submit a personal statement no greater than the allotted number of characters (characters include spaces and punctuation).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Dental <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimum 4000; Maximum 4500<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Medical <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimum 4800; Maximum 5300<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Optometry<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Minimum 4000; Maximum 4500<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Physician Assistant<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Minimum 4500; Maximum 5000<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Podiatry<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Minimum 4500; Maximum 5000<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Veterinary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Minimum 2500; Maximum 3000<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Other <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimum 2500; Maximum 5300<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you previously submitted a portfolio and\/or applied to health profession school and chose to upload a copy of a previously verified health profession school application, you still must submit an UPDATED version of your personal statement.\u00a0 You may use the prompts in the Portfolio as a guide.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please be aware that Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a federal law, requires that the Preprofessional Advising Office report to the University\u2019s Title IX Coordinator any form of sexual misconduct that advisors learn about through discussion with or from written material provided by students who have been targets of sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to, incidents of rape, sexual assault, coercion, harassment, domestic and dating violence, and stalking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Additional Information<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Academic Information:<\/strong>\u00a0Provide an explanation of any significant fluctuations in your academic record.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Breaks in Education:\u00a0<\/strong>Other than vacation breaks, has your education been continuous (e.g. have you taken a leave of absence, gap year, etc.)?\u00a0 If it has not been continuous, please describe what you have done during your time away from school.<\/p>\n<p><b>Other Impactful Experiences: <\/b><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This question is only visible to applicants applying to allopathic medical schools.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Manual Dexterity:<\/strong> <em>This question is only visible to applicants applying to dental schools.<\/em> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Describe any activities requiring manual dexterity at which you are proficient. Be sure to enter your response as a narrative list; do not use bullet points.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Life Experiences:<\/strong> <em>This question is only visible to applicants applying to PA schools.<\/em> Explain how your life experiences and\/or perspectives could contribute to the PA profession.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Each question may be no greater than 1,000 characters (including spaces and punctuation).<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Transcripts<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upload transcripts from Boston University and all other institutions at which you have taken college courses (even if the credits have been transferred to Boston University or the courses were taken as part of a high school program).\u00a0 You <\/span><b>do not<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> need to submit official copies of your transcripts but we recommend you order an official copy for yourself that you will use when entering your coursework into the central application service(s).\u00a0 If you must order official transcripts via postal mail, allow sufficient time (3-5 weeks) to receive the transcripts and to upload them to your Portfolio.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Science GPA Calculator<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Download and follow the instructions for our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/academics\/gpa-calculator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GPA calculator<\/a>. Complete the GPA calculator for the appropriate central application service(s) and then upload your GPA calculator excel spreadsheet to your Portfolio.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Letters of Recommendation<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>In order to qualify for a Letter Packet, applicants must submit their completed Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>If this is your first time submitting a Portfolio or;<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>If you previously submitted a Portfolio but you have not hit your lifetime Comprehensive Advising Appointment (CAA) limit<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To qualify for a Letter Packet, submit the 2027 Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections by January 7, 2026, 5pm ET. Even individuals who have previously submitted a Portfolio must submit a 2027 Portfolio by the stated deadline.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All letters of recommendation to be included in a Letter Packet must be received by <\/span><b>June 10, 2026 11:59pm ET<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may find more information on selecting individuals to write your letters of recommendation<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/applicants\/submitting-letters-of-recommendation-to-the-preprofessional-advising-office\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>If you have previously submitted a Portfolio &amp; hit your lifetime Comprehensive Advising Appointment limit (i.e. you are no longer eligible to schedule a CAA)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To qualify for a Letter Packet, submit the 2027 Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections by January 30, 2026 by 5pm ET. Even individuals who have previously submitted a Portfolio must submit a 2027 Portfolio by the stated deadline.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All letters of recommendation to be included in a Letter Packet must be received by <\/span><b>June 10, 2026 11:59pm ET<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may find more information on selecting individuals to write your letters of recommendation<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/applicants\/submitting-letters-of-recommendation-to-the-preprofessional-advising-office\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Signature<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>The PAR must be signed electronically before submitting it to the Preprofessional Advising Office.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Carefully read these Instructions and the instructions in the Portfolio of Accomplishments and Reflections.\u00a0 You must also read the \u201cFAQs for Current Applicants\u201d before completing the Portfolio. You must be a current BU undergraduate student or an alumnus who has received a bachelor\u2019s degree from BU and be applying to enter professional school in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16644,"featured_media":4289,"parent":3687,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/landing.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4029"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16644"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4029"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4029\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6823,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4029\/revisions\/6823"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3687"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}