Some of these supplementals are simple, and some are complex. Many schools will require you to write additional essays on specific topics, and they often ask you to explain your specific plans for a medical career. Here again, be careful to follow the instructions and pay attention to the details. These applications are the primary way in which medical schools do their initial screening of applicants, and if yours is incomplete or done in a sloppy manner your application will never reach the people who make the decisions. You will be asked to submit letters of recommendation from faculty members, work or research supervisors, and others.
Most schools require at least three, some require as many as eight.
Don't put these off, since your application won't even be considered by the admissions committee until the letters are received. Be sure to follow the instructions and to give them exactly what they want - each medical school will want letters from specific individuals, and it will want them submitted in a specific way. Be sure the people who will the writing the letters understand the requirements and will be able to follow them. Because you planned ahead, of course, you have fostered relationships with the right faculty members, advisors, supervisors, etc. to get strong, personal letters of recommendation. If not, take the time as soon as possible to let the people you will be asking to write letters get to know you.