Recommendation Form – District of Columbia

The Recommendation Form is the DC Health (Department of Health) form on which a reference evaluates an applicant to the Department of Health College Internship Program. It gives the review committee a rating and a written opinion from someone who knows the student.

The form has two parts. In the part to be completed by the applicant, the student enters a full name (last, first middle), the last 4 digits of the Social Security number, the college or university, the graduation date, the major and the application period. In the part to be completed by the reference, the reference states how long and in what capacity they have known the applicant, rates the applicant in four areas, and signs.

The four rated areas are Academic Ability, Academic Potential, Curiosity/Initiative and Dependability. Each is rated Below Average, Average, Good, Very Good or Excellent.

The form explains the program it serves. The College Internship Program is designed to give undergraduate and graduate students the chance to learn more about the Department of Health, working under professional staff in one of the department's administrations in experience related to their academic field. The form says the reference's evaluation and letter of recommendation will be important in the selection process, and that written comments on academic and work experience, extracurricular activities, motivation and potential to benefit from an internship are particularly useful to the review committee.

It is not the internship application itself; it is the recommendation that supports one.

The main users are two people. The applicant, an undergraduate or graduate student applying to the DC Health College Internship Program, fills in the block marked to be completed by the applicant. The reference, someone who has known the applicant in an academic, work or other capacity, completes the second block and sends the form to DC Health.

The reference is not described by job title on the form. It asks for the reference's name, title, organization and email, and for how long and in what capacity the reference has known the applicant. This suggests a teacher, supervisor or similar person who can speak to the applicant's academic ability, potential, curiosity or initiative, and dependability.

The form is specific to the Department of Health College Internship Program. The text printed on it speaks only of that program and does not say it can be used for any other internship, scholarship or school. It also does not describe anyone signing on behalf of the reference.

The form states that the application deadlines are July 1, November 1 and May 1, and asks the reference to return the recommendation in time for inclusion in the review process. Plan to send it on or before the deadline of the cycle the applicant is applying for.

The applicant block asks for an application period, with Summer, Fall and Spring boxes printed under the years 2011 and 2012. Check which deadline applies to the period the applicant is applying for before sending the form. The form sets no other timing rule.

The reference returns the completed Recommendation Form by email; the form names no mailing address or other channel.

• Email: send the form to [email protected], in time for inclusion in the review process. The form gives the deadlines as July 1, November 1 and May 1.

Before sending, check that the applicant block is filled in and that the reference block, including the signature and date, is complete. The form does not state a fee or a way to check status. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channel above.