How do letters of intent work and when is it appropriate to send one?

[Chlorophyll Oracle]

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Hello! I have a question about LOI. I recently learned that these are a thing and I think they might be useful for my situation. I have already been accepted to an in-state medical school but my local medical school, which I interviewed at a month ago and is yet to get back to me, is my top choice. My girlfriend has had no luck finding work near the other school and has numerous offers for our local area once she graduates in December. I believe a LOI explaining my situation to the medical school and my intent to commit to going there may be beneficial. Is my understanding of LOI's correct and if so is it too early to submit one?

 

[ES671]

I think you should wait till they reach out to you. Usually, people use the letter to get off a waitlist. If you do write it I would probably not mention the work situation and your girlfriend. Schools mostly want to hear why they should take you instead of someone else. Try to explain why you make a great fit with the program and see yourself only wanting to go there. I wrote a LOI and mentioned how the physician who mentored me graduated from the program and impressed me with the way he practiced and was a great mentor. Try to make it personal of why the school fits you. Good luck!

 

[candbgirl]

Did you do a search on this forum of LOI? You’ll learn more than you’ll ever need/want to know.

 

[Med Ed]

Hello! I have a question about LOI. I recently learned that these are a thing and I think they might be useful for my situation. I have already been accepted to an in-state medical school but my local medical school, which I interviewed at a month ago and is yet to get back to me, is my top choice. My girlfriend has had no luck finding work near the other school and has numerous offers for our local area once she graduates in December. I believe a LOI explaining my situation to the medical school and my intent to commit to going there may be beneficial. Is my understanding of LOI's correct and if so is it too early to submit one?

I will disagree with the other poster. You have two things the vast majority of other LOI writers do not: (1) another acceptance, and (2) a relationship with someone who has a legitimate reason to be in a certain area.

If I were you I would write a simple, honest letter and get it to the school ASAP. State that you have been fortunate to receive an acceptance at another institution (don't name it), but for reasons XYZ you consider this school your top choice. By all means, mention that your significant other (don't use the term "girlfriend") has job offers in the area, and if you are admitted that you will withdraw from AMCAS and matriculate.

There is no guarantee that this information would make it to the committee, but if it does it will likely play in your favor. Good luck.

 

[deleted931910]

Hi everyone! I'm in a similar position. (Interviewed at my top choice but no response yet, acceptance at another school, my SO has tons of job options at my top choice and none at the other school)

I considered sending a LOI multiple times and I've read a couple posts on the forums, but I'm concerned that it'll come across as being dramatic or demanding. It feels awkward to use an acceptance at another school or someone else's job prospects as leverage. What are your thoughts? I interviewed in August at my top school and they started sending out acceptances this month. Is it too late to write a letter? Any other tips for how to write it? Thanks!

 

[Med Ed]

It feels awkward to use an acceptance at another school or someone else's job prospects as leverage.

This isn't leverage. You are simply being honest and hoping your top choice will take that into consideration.

 

[DontTradOnMe]

Would you recommend against submitting a letter of interest for someone in a similar situation (holding acceptances, significant other in particular location), but BEFORE even getting an interview? I know the standard advice here is that, pre-interview, your application shows enough interest.

 

[deleted931910]

This isn't leverage. You are simply being honest and hoping your top choice will take that into consideration.

That's how I viewed it as well, but I felt discouraged after reading all of the posts on the forums that say it's "desperate" and "groveling". A majority of people on this site claim that most adcoms don't care for LOIs to begin with.

@Goro I've seen several posts from you about your distaste for LOIs, but you seem to be supportive of them on this thread. As someone who has far more experience with adcoms than myself, can you clarify your perspective? Thank you

 

[Goro]

That's how I viewed it as well, but I felt discouraged after reading all of the posts on the forums that say it's "desperate" and "groveling". A majority of people on this site claim that most adcoms don't care for LOIs to begin with.

@Goro I've seen several posts from you about your distaste for LOIs, but you seem to be supportive of them on this thread. As someone who has far more experience with adcoms than myself, can you clarify your perspective? Thank you
View attachment 242815

Here's how I see things:

IF one has an accept at another MD school, then a letter of INTENT might be of use IF the school accepts these, AND the current free-for-all environment of a lack of the multiple acceptance report continues.

A letter of intent is worthless if you have no accepts.

A letter of interest is worthless, in my view, if you have already sent in your app. Think about how stupid this is; "I'm interested in attending your school. Please invite me for an interview".

A letter of intent prior to receiving any IIs has the same value as a guy saying to a hot chick "But I'll still respect you in the morning!"

And if I'm still not clear, read this:
HomeSkool's Guide to Letters of Intent

Second letter of intent? Help!

 

[Med Ed]

That's how I viewed it as well, but I felt discouraged after reading all of the posts on the forums that say it's "desperate" and "groveling". A majority of people on this site claim that most adcoms don't care for LOIs to begin with.

There is a night-and-day difference between sending a LOI with an acceptance versus without an acceptance.

 

[hhap1234]

HomeSkools guide says that a LOI means a lot more if you’ve been accepted to a “more prestigious” school.

However, I’ve also heard that you shouldnt mention the specific school you’ve been accepted to. Rather, you should say something like “while i have been fortunate to have other offer(s) I really see myself here because....”

So a LOI should specifically mention whether you have other offers but not the name of the school?

 

[deleted931910]

There is a night-and-day difference between sending a LOI with an acceptance versus without an acceptance.

What if the other school you were accepted to isn't more prestigious?

 

[Med Ed]

What if the other school you were accepted to isn't more prestigious?

What @gonnif said.

 

[Pharaoh95]

Here's how I see things:

IF one has an accept at another MD school, then a letter of INTENT might be of use IF the school accepts these, AND the current free-for-all environment of a lack of the multiple acceptance report continues.

A letter of intent is worthless if you have no accepts.

A letter of interest is worthless, in my view, if you have already sent in your app. Think about how stupid this is; "I'm interested in attending your school. Please invite me for an interview".

A letter of intent prior to receiving any IIs has the same value as a guy saying to a hot chick "But I'll still respect you in the morning!"

And if I'm still not clear, read this:
HomeSkool's Guide to Letters of Intent

Second letter of intent? Help!

There is a night-and-day difference between sending a LOI with an acceptance versus without an acceptance.

With no acceptance report in the spring, how do you recommend someone go about disclosing other acceptances? Name the schools in the LOI? Attach screenshot proof of acceptance letters?

 

[Blanky]

If you write a LOI, how can the school know if you have an acceptance or not. It seems possible for them to ask but unlikely. I can see in the future schools having the policy mentioned above.