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VTC modifies policy requiring ETS PPI evaluations

VTCSOM uses the Personal Potential Index (PPI) electronic evaluation process developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS) for personal recommendations, along with traditional letters of recommendation. We also accept letters of recommendation, Pre-health committee evaluations, and centralized reference letter packages electronically via VirtualEvals or Interfolio. However, it has come to our attention that some medical school applicants have experienced considerable delays in getting their ETS PPI evaluations completed through no fault of their own. ETS has identified some functionality problems that have occurred by evaluators using older computer systems, and has implemented a number of improvements and technical fixes.

Therefore, in order to encourage a secondary application from all applicants interested in coming to VTC, we have modified our policy on the ETS PPI evaluation process. Applicants can now choose to send the ETS PPI report, traditional letters via VirtualEvals or Interfolio, or both. (NOTE: This is a CHANGE to our earlier policy requiring an ETS PPI summary report as part of the secondary application.)

VTCSOM encourages the use of the ETS PPI as one source for personal recommendations, along with traditional letters of recommendation. If applicants choose to complete the ETS PPI process, we request three (minimum) to five (maximum) evaluations, including one from a science or math faculty member with significant contact with the applicant. Applicants are free to choose their other evaluators. It is NOT necessary for applicants to use the faculty members who wrote their standard letters of recommendation. In fact, this is an opportunity for them to get evaluations from people they have interacted with outside of academia. For example, in the AMCAS application, applicants have the opportunity to list up to 15 experiences that include employment, volunteer service, teaching, research, publications, leadership, athletics, avocations, artistic endeavors, etc. We would encourage applicants to include evaluations from some of these people, including past and present employers, volunteer service coordinators, coaches, mentors, former scoutmasters, pastors, etc., in order to learn more about them as a “whole person.”