The College Office can write a Dean's Letter/Certification for all students and alumni who are applying to law school. However, because of the volume of requests received, and in order to expedite the process for everyone, the College cannot fill out individual law school Dean's Letter/Certification forms. Students and alumni wishing to make this request must therefore open an account with Career Services’ partner Interfolio, a web-based credential file management service. Interfolio will store the letter and deliver it upon request.
Those wishing to request a Dean’s Letter/Certification must complete all of these three steps:
- Set up an Interfolio account by going to www.interfolio.com.
- Complete the Request for Release of Information form, scan it and emailed to traceyde@sas.upenn.edu.
- Through the Interfolio account, create an email request for a “Recommendation Letter.” In the “title” field, enter the phrase “Dean’s Letter.” Be sure to direct the request to traceyde@sas.upenn.edu.
It is recommended that a minimum of three weeks be allowed for the Dean’s Letter to be processed and sent to Interfolio. The letter will be signed by Dr. Niel McDowell, Associate Director of Academic Advising. Please note that it should not be necessary to submit the law school’s own “Dean’s recommendation” form in addition to this letter, though if there are any questions applicants are advised to contact the admissions office of the relevant law school. Applicants are strongly advised to check with the admissions offices of the law schools to which they are applying in order to determine what type of letter submission each school will accept (note that some schools do not accept electronically submitted Dean’s Letters). Interfolio provides options for either electronic or hard copy submission.