I will be interviewing at my top choice school this week, which happens to be my first medical school interview ever. I realize that a letter of intent is usually written later in the application cycle when an applicant has interviewed at a few places and gotten waitlisted at his or her top choice school. I have applied to nearly 30 schools, which I am waiting to hear from (I retook the MCAT this past August), though I have recently received a few rejections and pre-interview holds. I am positive that the medical school where I will be interviewing ? which happens to be one of my state schools - is where I want to go. From what I have gathered, the admissions committee at this school significantly takes into account an applicant?s desire to attend, and a letter written by the applicant stating that he or she will attend their medical school if accepted is seriously considered. I am a re-applicant to this school and have gotten to know the admissions coordinator over the past year. I have expressed my continued interest in the program, which the coordinator also mentioned is an important consideration. The admissions committee at this medical school is rather efficient at letting you know something within a couple weeks after the interview, so would it be a good idea for me to submit a letter of intent a day or two after I interview? Or would it be best for me to wait a while to hear from the school? At worst, I would probably get waitlisted for now, but I would obviously much rather receive an outright acceptance.
Submit my letter of intent the day after interview?
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I would certainly like to hear more about this. I'm interviewing at one of my top choices this week and if I could help a decision along with a letter of intent, that would certainly be something to seriously consider.
Fusion said:
Why not just make sure that your interest is iterated clearly during the interview? Since (at least at all my interviews) the interviewer has always asked if there's anything I'd like the adcom to know.... this sounds like the perfect opportunity to declare your intent to attend the school if accepted.
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well it's kind of like - you flew out there, spend a day interviewing with them, they asked you to tell them about yourself, why you want to go to their school, etc.....you were able to tell them everything in person, which is more effective....sending a letter of intent would be like "oh, i forgot to say these things that i liked about you guys when i was at your place yesterday." i think the letter should be sent later down the line if you get waitlisted.
beep said:
You all bring up some good points, especially about how a letter of intent is pretty much a one-shot deal and should be saved for later. I guess I will wait to see how the interview goes, though I will definitely make it clear that I intend to go to their school if accepted. Thanks for all your suggestions.
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sunUCB said:
Well-put. I really don't know the protocol, but this was an issue I had as well. I thought about just sending it out right AFTER the interview, but I really think it has more power if you wait a while... the question is how long, though I'm not so sure it should be only after you're waitlisted.
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how about the people that send letters everyday? thats not a one-time shot deal. it has worked for some people (anecdotally)...anyways....any other opinions? did flooding a school with letters ever work for anyone?
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wait; what is a letter of intent? I thought this was once you are accepted to the school, your letter for letting them know you are interested in attending. Who reads these letters? Does everyone send them? Is this like, if you let me in I promise to go to your school kinda thing?
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Haybrant said:
any input on this?
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Depends on the school. But if they will accept it at all and you make a sound argument, it can only help you. I asked this at most of the schools I interviewed at. (at which I interviewed, TYVM) Some schools close your file after interview, though I suspect even they might be impressed by a committed LOI.Haybrant said:
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I sent a letter of Interest and an update of my activities (because they had changes considerably) before I received my interviews. I just included a sentence or two about what I liked about the school. I, however, did not go all the way and say that that was my top school and that I would withdraw all my applications if I got in. I plan on doing that at my top choice after I get an interview there. Hope this helps. 😀
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medic170 said:
My guess would be either the Dean of the Medical school or the person who you interviewed with. A half page would suffice.
