Is it riskly to write letter of intent to "SECOND choice" school?

[Sluggie]

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Up until this point, I have not received an interview invitation from my top choice school. I have been complete since July.

However, I was fortunate to recently interview at another school that I loved very much. I would really like to attend this school unless offered interview/acceptance to other school. Simply put, it is my "second choice."

First, how likely is it that I may still receive an invitation from my top choice? It is a non-rolling March acceptance school, but it has been several months.

Second, would it help me significantly to write letter to school where I interviewed? If I didn't get in or got wait listed, I think I would regret not writing. But, if I had a chance at my dream school I might also regret if I did write. I already made it clear during my interviews my interest in the school, but did not say "I would attend if accepted."

Third, more broadly, how much would a letter of intent help me? The school is a top 20 (but not at very top) where my stats are generally at median of students accepted. The adcom could probably guess my interest in the school based on its proximity and my interests.

 

[MSSM2013]

why the hell do you write a letter of INTENT to your SECOND CHOICE?

a bugger can't be chooser, son.

 

[Sluggie]

why the hell do you write a letter of INTENT to your SECOND CHOICE?

a bugger can't be chooser, son.

Because my top choice hasn't interviewed me and I'm much rather my second choice than no choice at all? Did you write letter to MSSM?

 

[schrizto]

if you do, don't let them see this thread.

 

[apumic]

Umm... you don't have to state in your letter after an interview that you would "only go there." You can make it clear to your recipient how much you liked the school, appreciate the experience, and enjoyed your interview without saying "if you were to accept me, I would go to your school no matter what." Just like for any other interview, I hope you have at least followed your med school interviews up with a brief thank you note. That's the best time, IMO, to express your interest (post-interview, that is).

 

[Rendar5]

ok to be blunt, first of all, what makes you think that a school that until this point does not want to interview you would want to interview you just because you want to go there? If they don't want you, this isn't going to change their mind.

and second, you havent' interviewed there so you honestly don't know if it's a good fit for you or not. You don't know what your colleagues are going to be like, you dn't know how 3rd and 4th year are run, etc. I mean I could foresee one or two situations where it maeks sense, but not the majority of them.

It's still very very early. wait until December or something at least before committing to something.

 

[littlealex]

You can write whatever you want to anyone. Letter of intent is not binding and typically doesn't sway the adcom much. It's really a letter that indicates that you care enough to write a letter. That's it.
As of now, your top choice had not offered you an interview. Write the letter of intent; I don't see what harm can come of this.

 

[brooklynblunder]

your first choice isnt really a choice at this moment huh

 

[flip26]

Up until this point, I have not received an interview invitation from my top choice school. I have been complete since July.

However, I was fortunate to recently interview at another school that I loved very much. I would really like to attend this school unless offered interview/acceptance to other school. Simply put, it is my "second choice."

First, how likely is it that I may still receive an invitation from my top choice? It is a non-rolling March acceptance school, but it has been several months.

Second, would it help me significantly to write letter to school where I interviewed? If I didn't get in or got wait listed, I think I would regret not writing. But, if I had a chance at my dream school I might also regret if I did write. I already made it clear during my interviews my interest in the school, but did not say "I would attend if accepted."

Third, more broadly, how much would a letter of intent help me? The school is a top 20 (but not at very top) where my stats are generally at median of students accepted. The adcom could probably guess my interest in the school based on its proximity and my interests.

I think these letters are vastly overrated in the first place, especially in October.

There are a handful of schools where the letters are expected of waitlisted applicants who truly want to attend the school...but again, this is effective in April/May, not in October.

And if I was an adcom at a non rolling Top 20 and some douche bag sent a "letter of intent" in October, begging for an interview, I would toss it in the round file.

 

[brooklynblunder]

I think these letters are vastly overrated in the first place, especially in October.

There are a handful of schools where the letters are expected of waitlisted applicants who truly want to attend the school...but again, this is effective in April/May, not in October.

yup, and i think sticking to a waitlist in june or july is a pretty good sign of intent to matriculate at a school

 

[Narmerguy]

ok to be blunt, first of all, what makes you think that a school that until this point does not want to interview you would want to interview you just because you want to go there? If they don't want you, this isn't going to change their mind.

and second, you havent' interviewed there so you honestly don't know if it's a good fit for you or not. You don't know what your colleagues are going to be like, you dn't know how 3rd and 4th year are run, etc. I mean I could foresee one or two situations where it maeks sense, but not the majority of them.

It's still very very early. wait until December or something at least before committing to something.

I think these letters are vastly overrated in the first place, especially in October.

There are a handful of schools where the letters are expected of waitlisted applicants who truly want to attend the school...but again, this is effective in April/May, not in October.

And if I was an adcom at a non rolling Top 20 and some douche bag sent a "letter of intent" in October, begging for an interview, I would toss it in the round file.

You all obviously didn't read his post. The letter of intent is intended for the school where he already got an interview.

 

[BlueElmo]

Why don't you send a letter of interest, not a letter of intent. You don't have to say you promise to enroll, but you can show interest to the school.

 

[flip26]

You all obviously didn't read his post. The letter of intent is intended for the school where he already got an interview.

No, I understood his post.

He wants to know if it is kosher to send a letter of "intent" to a school he just interviewed at.

It is October. Too early for this kind of BS.

Especially since he has another school - his "dream" school - he is waiting for an interview from. Will he then withdraw this letter of intent? Of course not - he is trying to game the process - pretty obvious what he is asking about.

Letters of "intent" sound REALLY desperate, if not disingenuous, and possibly unethical, in October.

Let the process play out. Wait and see on other interviews, acceptances, etc. The proper time for these letters is: when you have no other interview prospects, or have been waitlisted, or it is April - whichever comes first.

 

[longhorn09]

I think it's okay, since your "second choice" school won't be able to know that it's your second choice, anyway.

 

[dw2158]

is anyone else lol-ing at "riskly?"

 

[BlueElmo]

is anyone else lol-ing at "riskly?"

didn't even notice that.

 

[BeardedRunner]

No, I understood his post.

He wants to know if it is kosher to send a letter of "intent" to a school he just interviewed at.

It is October. Too early for this kind of BS.

Especially since he has another school - his "dream" school - he is waiting for an interview from. Will he then withdraw this letter of intent? Of course not - he is trying to game the process - pretty obvious what he is asking about.

Letters of "intent" sound REALLY desperate, if not disingenuous, and possibly unethical, in October.

Let the process play out. Wait and see on other interviews, acceptances, etc. The proper time for these letters is: when you have no other interview prospects, or have been waitlisted, or it is April - whichever comes first.

I don't agree with these statements, I think it is important to barrel through these medical school admissions processes and be proactive about it.
The schools make a decision on an applicants application within a very short time after your interview, so if you really liked a school, you should definitely send a letter of intent to them before the admissions comittee meets and discusses your application thoroughly.
If they have your letter of intent in hand during this big meeting, it will definitely increase your chances of acceptance.
It is illogical to send a letter of intent in April when everything is said and done and they have already accepted 300 people.
^This is how I did it and I was successful last year, catch my flow?

 

[flip26]

I don't agree with these statements, I think it is important to barrel through these medical school admissions processes and be proactive about it.
The schools make a decision on an applicants application within a very short time after your interview, so if you really liked a school, you should definitely send a letter of intent to them before the admissions comittee meets and discusses your application thoroughly.
If they have your letter of intent in hand during this big meeting, it will definitely increase your chances of acceptance.
It is illogical to send a letter of intent in April when everything is said and done and they have already accepted 300 people.
^This is how I did it and I was successful last year, catch my flow?

Interest, or intent? - you use these terms interchangeably. Most people believe there is a difference.

A letter of "intent" in October reeks of desperation. And I think the OP is just that - desperate - and I doubt if med schools find that attractive.

A letter of "interest" sent as a followup to an interview - that's probably OK - but better than that is a nice thank you note to your interviewer, in which you could state your interest...

 

[swamprat]

couldn't you just have sent a thank you card to your interviewers post-interview expressing your excitement about the school as well as thanking them. it'll make its way into your file so if you get waitlisted you could later send a letter of intent and have that in there as well.

 

[OpalOnyx]

couldn't you just have sent a thank you card to your interviewers post-interview expressing your excitement about the school as well as thanking them. it'll make its way into your file so if you get waitlisted you could later send a letter of intent and have that in there as well.

umm thank you cards go in our files?

i did not know that...

 

[BeardedRunner]

Interest, or intent? - you use these terms interchangeably. Most people believe there is a difference.

A letter of "intent" in October reeks of desperation. And I think the OP is just that - desperate - and I doubt if med schools find that attractive.

A letter of "interest" sent as a followup to an interview - that's probably OK - but better than that is a nice thank you note to your interviewer, in which you could state your interest...

Yeah basically it would be a strong letter of interest that doesn't explicitly state "I will attend this school if accepted."

 

[MSSM2013]

Because my top choice hasn't interviewed me and I'm much rather my second choice than no choice at all? Did you write letter to MSSM?

I did not, because by the time it became my first choice I was already accepted.

I did write letter to my first choice but I was not accepted.

 

[searun]

Generally, letters of intent are most useful when trying to turn a waitlist into an acceptance. My advice is to wait until April. If you have not been accepted to your first choice or your second choice, but are waitlisted at one of these two schools, then send a letter of intent to the school that waitlisted you. If you are waitlisted at both schools, send a letter of intent to your #1 choice. If you are not accepted or waitlisted at either school, then cry in your beer and get on with your life.

Most waitlist movement occurs in late April through the end of May. So time your letter of intent when it will have maximun efffect, i.e. early to mid April.