letter of intent: how soon

[jzeidenb]

is it too soon to send a letter of intent to a school you absolutely fell in love with before their initial decision (acceptance/waitlist) is even made?

I want to send a letter but I was thinking sending it maybe in 2 weeks. what do you guys think?

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[Ginzo]

If you're completely convinced, then send it now. The initial decision is often a rejection. Perhaps a letter of intent could help avoid this unfortunate outcome. Be sure your letter is extremely convincing, positive, and well-written.

 

[chudog15]

where is ginzo getting the idea that the initial decision is a rejection? what school are you interviewing at...

 

[etf]

where is ginzo getting the idea that the initial decision is a rejection? what school are you interviewing at...

ginzo is getting that idea from statistics. s/he's probably interviewing at any medical school in the united states, since the same statistics apply. med schools can't accept everyone they interview, and the default is rejection at every single stage, unless you convince them otherwise.

 

[Cataract]

I think it's fine to send a letter of intent any time, but post-interview would be best in my opinion. That way, you've had your look at the school, spoke with student and faculty, and the school would find it more believable once you've visited.

 

[jzeidenb]

i interviewed today

 

[illixir]

I think once you've interviewed, it's up to your performance in the interview plus what the adcom thinks. Letters of intent will of course help in some places, but usually the first decision won't bring it up, my understanding is that letters of intent help alot more when schools can decide who they want to take off the waitlist. Although I'm sure letters can't hurt at any point.

 

[Ginzo]

where is ginzo getting the idea that the initial decision is a rejection? what school are you interviewing at...

I didn't suggest that the initial decision is a reject, but rather that it could be a rejection. And, in the case of a decision that is heading towards a rejection, perhaps a strong letter of intent could prevent this. It's worth a shot if you're really interested in a school. Rejections are particularly hard to overcome. So, it's best to send the letter ASAP, assuming that you are totally sold on one school.

 

[MDRus]

ginzo is getting that idea from statistics. s/he's probably interviewing at any medical school in the united states, since the same statistics apply. med schools can't accept everyone they interview, and the default is rejection at every single stage, unless you convince them otherwise.

wow, that's news to me. from the SDN stats it looks like almost everyone post-interview gets accepted or waitlisted. (which sort of cheapens my 2 waitlists!!)

so that is not true? they reject a lot of people post interview?

 

[drizzt3117]

wow, that's news to me. from the SDN stats it looks like almost everyone post-interview gets accepted or waitlisted. (which sort of cheapens my 2 waitlists!!)

so that is not true? they reject a lot of people post interview?

Most schools will make a decision to accept, waitlist/hold, or reject an applicant post-interview. Some schools reject as many as 50% of applicants immediately post-interview.

It's pretty different as some state schools accept as many as 75-80% of IS applicants that interview, while others, especially private schools, accept far less.

 

[prettymonkey]

Some schools reject as many as 50% of applicants immediately post-interview.

that is really scary.

 

[prettymonkey]

what if you show up outside the admissions office with a boom box playing "In Your Eyes" Say Anything/John Cusack style? when should you do that?

 

[drizzt3117]

what if you show up outside the admissions office with a boom box playing "In Your Eyes" Say Anything/John Cusack style? when should you do that?

I stop by the USC admissions office weekly with Starbucks and donuts for the admissions staff but it hasn't helped yet 🙁

 

[MDRus]

How about a letter of intent that says you are my first choice EXCEPT for my alma mater, and i am unlikely to be admitted to my alma mater?

 

[MassTransport]

That would make the school your second choice.

 

[drizzt3117]

How about a letter of intent that says you are my first choice EXCEPT for my alma mater, and i am unlikely to be admitted to my alma mater?

That's not a true letter of intent and I wouldn't send such a letter anyways. Yes, I said before that medical schools know that they're not your only choice, but no one wants to be told straight out that they're your second choice.

"Dear Susie:

I just wanted to write to let you know that you're my favorite girl in the whole world. I mean, except for my ex-girlfriend, but she's in a relationship anyways, so it's probably not a big deal. I mean, she was my first and everything, you understand, right? Other than that small possibility, I'm all yours.

Sincerely,

MDRus"

How well do you think that would go over?

 

[MDRus]

That's not a true letter of intent and I wouldn't send such a letter anyways. Yes, I said before that medical schools know that they're not your only choice, but no one wants to be told straight out that they're your second choice.

"Dear Susie:

I just wanted to write to let you know that you're my favorite girl in the whole world. I mean, except for my ex-girlfriend, but she's in a relationship anyways, so it's probably not a big deal. I mean, she was my first and everything, you understand, right? Other than that small possibility, I'm all yours.

Sincerely,

MDRus"

How well do you think that would go over?

hahahaha. okokok. i get it!! will send nice happy i love you letters.

 

[167649]

That's not a true letter of intent and I wouldn't send such a letter anyways. Yes, I said before that medical schools know that they're not your only choice, but no one wants to be told straight out that they're your second choice.

"Dear Susie:

I just wanted to write to let you know that you're my favorite girl in the whole world. I mean, except for my ex-girlfriend, but she's in a relationship anyways, so it's probably not a big deal. I mean, she was my first and everything, you understand, right? Other than that small possibility, I'm all yours.

Sincerely,

MDRus"

How well do you think that would go over?

........I am so writing that exact letter to somebody someday

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Hey rooter, let me know how it goes. lol

 

[drizzt3117]

........I am so writing that exact letter to somebody someday

I tried it already... didn't go over too well 🙁

It was either that or the boombox with Peter Gabriel, and I don't own a boombox.

 

[jzeidenb]

wow quite a digression. Anyway back on topic, I'm going to send them a letter next week. They told me a decision would come 6-8 weeks after the interview so I plan on sending a letter in week #2

 

[drizzt3117]

wow quite a digression. Anyway back on topic, I'm going to send them a letter next week. They told me a decision would come 6-8 weeks after the interview so I plan on sending a letter in week #2

Is this the application equivalent of waiting two days before you call after a first date?

 

[SilverMoon]

wow quite a digression. Anyway back on topic, I'm going to send them a letter next week. They told me a decision would come 6-8 weeks after the interview so I plan on sending a letter in week #2

Seems like a good call. One of the medical schools I interviewed at cautioned strongly about sending a LOI too soon after the interview because it suggested that people weren't really taking the time to think about the letter. Waiting a bit might help reduce that impression - good luck with it!

 

[jzeidenb]

Is this the application equivalent of waiting two days before you call after a first date?

thanks for the top notch advice youve provided throughout the thread.. its gonna help me bunches

 

[drizzt3117]

thanks for the top notch advice youve provided throughout the thread.. its gonna help me bunches

Do you honestly think it's going to make a difference when you send a LOI? Two weeks is fine. Two days is fine. Three weeks is fine. Any time before they've made a decision is fine, and if you're waitlisted, sending one after that is fine. I know overanalysis is commonplace among pre-meds but wow.

 

[jzeidenb]

Do you honestly think it's going to make a difference when you send a LOI? Two weeks is fine. Two days is fine. Three weeks is fine. Any time before they've made a decision is fine, and if you're waitlisted, sending one after that is fine. I know overanalysis is commonplace among pre-meds but wow.

yeah theres a lot of arrogant jerk premeds as well

 

[MDRus]

Is this the application equivalent of waiting two days before you call after a first date?

wait a minute!! i've been using a 4 day rule. it's 2 DAYS!!?? no wonder i have trouble getting second dates.

 

[Candlestick Man]

no wonder i have trouble getting second dates.

maybe it's because you always bring up your mater

 

[notdeadyet]

If you're completely convinced, then send it now. The initial decision is often a rejection. Perhaps a letter of intent could help avoid this unfortunate outcome.

Personally, I disagree. If a school is on the fence about an applicant, they'll waitlist. If a school is sure enough about you to reject you, I doubt very much a LOI is going to have any impact.

I'd hold off on an LOI until it can have some impact, which would be when you're on the waitlist and they're trying to decide where to fit you.

 

[Ginzo]

Personally, I disagree. If a school is on the fence about an applicant, they'll waitlist. If a school is sure enough about you to reject you, I doubt very much a LOI is going to have any impact.

I'd hold off on an LOI until it can have some impact, which would be when you're on the waitlist and they're trying to decide where to fit you.

Why would sending the letter later be more helpful than sending it earlier? If you send it early, they'll still have the letter in your file and will know that you're serious about the school when they're figuring out the wait list.

You're right that if you're a definite "no" that a LOI won't help. But it certainly can't hurt. So why not? And getting rejected after sending a LOI is no big deal. In fact, you're free to send a LOI to another school at that point.

 

[notdeadyet]

Why would sending the letter later be more helpful than sending it earlier? If you send it early, they'll still have the letter in your file and will know that you're serious about the school when they're figuring out the wait list.

You're right that if you're a definite "no" that a LOI won't help. But it certainly can't hurt. So why not? And getting rejected after sending a LOI is no big deal. In fact, you're free to send a LOI to another school at that point.

I see what you're saying. I think that my logic would be that if you're a "no", it won't help, and if you're going to be waitlisted, I'd want them to receive it close to when they're prioritizing that waitlist. I think stuff has a bigger impact the more recently it's read.

 

[drizzt3117]

I don't think the timing is going to matter. Either the admissions staff is going to put it in your file, or they won't. Either way, the adcom is either going to see it if they put it in your file when they review it, or they won't because it got thrown in the trash. It's not like the Dean of Admissions handles every single piece of mail that is addressed to "Dean of Admissions" I'm taking a wild guess, but I think there's probably more than a few such letters, and it's very likely their staff handles the mail.

 

[whateva07]

so who do you address the LOI? I feel like this has been asked before but oh well maybe someone can asnwer here and now.. thanks!

 

[SilkyDelicious]

First, I'm curious as to how this turned out for jzeidenb? Could you tell us which school it was? This is the first time I read the thread and I think it brought up a few good points

I personally agree with notdeadyet. I wouldn't recommend sending LOI's this early in the process. I've interviewed at a few great schools, and after each interview I felt like it was where I wanted to go. I wrote emails to each of my interviewers about 1-2 weeks later (waited 2 weeks because I knew they wouldn't be presenting me to the committee for a while) saying after having time to reflect and what not, I really feel like I'd be a good fit at your school for x,y,z. I purposely did not say that they were my first choice or anything along those lines, which I believe a LOI is meant to do. (check the post-interview sticky) I'm not saying this is always the case, but I feel like I would've come off as sounding a little presumptuous by sending a LOI this early.

I also wrote a "thank you" email to the Dean at one school because I didn't get a chance to meet him and wanted to say how much I enjoyed the school. After my interview the admissions office gave me his email address and told me it was fine to just email him. He actually sent me a letter back. In the event that I am waitlisted then I will send him a LOI depending on whether I get accepted at other schools.

As for who to address the letter to, I suggest calling the office of admissions. They should tell you and you wouldn't have to tell them who you are if you're worried about them getting annoyed with all the questions. Each school is different, some want them addressed to the Dean, some to just the admissions committee in general.