Advice needed: Should I send A Letter of Interest

[thepettyfuturedoc]

Hi all,

I found out that given my residency status in asylum pending, I'll have to apply as an international student. I essentially got rejected from all the schools I applied to last cycle for this specific reason. I've worked all my life for this and prepped for this throughout undergrad and I'm now applying strictly to DO schools that'll accept international students. I haven't exactly found a lot of people who have been through similar situation that haven't had to wait years for their status change, and I don't have the luxury of doing that. I also would not like to quit this and go the PA route unless I'm certain I've done all I can.

Would it be okay to send a letter of interest once my primaries are submitted, stating my case, motivation, and interest in attending the schools I'm applying to, if they accept letters of interest?

Stats: 3.9 GPA, 503 MCAT, 1.5K Research hours, three posters, possibly two pubs, 5K Healthcare experience hours, 500 ish volunteer hours, e.t.c.
School List:
Michigan State University COM- East Lansing/Detroit, Michigan
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine- Stratford, NJ
Nova Southeastern University- Fort Lauradale, Florida
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Erie Campus- Erie, PA
William Carey University COM- Hattiesburg, MS
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Lynchburg, VA
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine- Glendale, Arizona
Western University COM- Pomona, CA

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

Do you know if each school has a secondary essay prompt for "why our school?" or "what else should we know about you?"

I think you can disclose "asylee/refugee" status on the application. I'm not sure how AACOMAS lets you list asylum pending, but we know it's a challenging situation. Make sure you connect with the F1doctors.org group.

F1 Doctors: Supporting International Future Healthcare Professionals - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[CBass2288]

no one can stop you from doing what you're gonna do. but this is what i think:

absolutely not. letters of intent are meant to be "this is my top choice and i'll attend here above anywhere else if you accept me" and they should be sent out POST-INTERVIEW. i wouldn't even recommend sending them out post-secondary and you wanna send them out after you submit your primary. it looks extremely desperate and it may very well hurt you more than help. if you wanna explain your situation, your primary app & secondary app is the place to do it. there's spots that allow for this kind of thing. if you wanna be moral and follow the intended purpose of a letter of intent, send a single letter of intent to your top choice after you interview there. if you want that to be the first school you interview at, go for it. but don't send it to every school (do the right thing) and definitely don't send it after you submit your primary.

sorry that you are in this situation. ARE you an international student? when did you come to the US? if so, it's only fair that you should be required to apply as one. i don't think it's right that asylum can take many years, but if you did just come to the US recently... yeah.

 

[thepettyfuturedoc]

Welcome to the forums.

Do you know if each school has a secondary essay prompt for "why our school?" or "what else should we know about you?"

I think you can disclose "asylee/refugee" status on the application. I'm not sure how AACOMAS lets you list asylum pending, but we know it's a challenging situation. Make sure you connect with the F1doctors.org group.

F1 Doctors: Supporting International Future Healthcare Professionals - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

I believe they do actually. So that should be a good place to state that.

I have to list as "temporary resident" as it's covered under that umbrella. I'll be sure to check the F1 Doctors group. I really appreciate the help.

 

[thepettyfuturedoc]

no one can stop you from doing what you're gonna do. but this is what i think:

absolutely not. letters of intent are meant to be "this is my top choice and i'll attend here above anywhere else if you accept me" and they should be sent out POST-INTERVIEW. i wouldn't even recommend sending them out post-secondary and you wanna send them out after you submit your primary. it looks extremely desperate and it may very well hurt you more than help. if you wanna explain your situation, your primary app & secondary app is the place to do it. there's spots that allow for this kind of thing. if you wanna be moral and follow the intended purpose of a letter of intent, send a single letter of intent to your top choice after you interview there. if you want that to be the first school you interview at, go for it. but don't send it to every school (do the right thing) and definitely don't send it after you submit your primary.

sorry that you are in this situation. ARE you an international student? when did you come to the US? if so, it's only fair that you should be required to apply as one. i don't think it's right that asylum can take many years, but if you did just come to the US recently... yeah.

Hi. Thank you so much for the feedback. I understand what you've said and I'll take it into account.

I have been here for TEN years. Literally done everything else and qualified as a resident to go to college, and general benefits that I receive, included. It's insane that this doesn't get considered and the schools literally do not care and refused to consider, given I'm not a literal international student. But I understand, rules are rules. I'll do some proper research and determine which one I like the most and send a letter only after an interview. As for everything else, I'll utilize my secondary application as much as I can, and maybe the interviews.

 

[CBass2288]

unfortunately, yes they are. but dang! i'm so sorry. ten years is forever and that to me is way past the acceptable amount of time to process some paperwork. hopefully you get your answer soon, but best of luck with the cycle. feel free to PM with any questions.