Letter of intent/interest question

[premedguy0]

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Long time lurker here
Should I write one and send to the school AFTER they put me on their waitlist or like right now? They haven't contacted me since the interview. It's pretty much my only shot 🙁 Any advice is grealy appreciated!!!

 

[Shaq]

sending a sincere thoughtful letter telling the adcom that you really loved the school (offer concrete examples why) and that you'd love to go there is good. try and write a letter that is not too desperate, but expresses enthusiasm. get someone (such as your undergrad premed adviser) to read this letter before you send it. but be careful, the line between enthusiasm and desperation is quite thin! good luck

 

[tewpac]

First make sure the school is open to them. I wouldn't send a letter of intent. A letter of interest would be much better. As far as when you want to send it, I'd say it depends on how long ago you interviewed. Basically, you want that letter of interest to be added to your file before the admissions committee meets to make the final decision. It may help, it may not help, but if you keep it short (less than a page) and sincere it won't hurt you. If it has been a long time since your interview and you think they've already made a decision then you should just hold off on it.

Of course others may have different opinions about this but personally I like to do everything I can to get the acceptance outright rather than wait for the waitlist. If I enjoyed the interview day and was impressed by the school I let them know about it.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Long time lurker here
Should I write one and send to the school AFTER they put me on their waitlist or like right now? They haven't contacted me since the interview. It's pretty much my only shot 🙁 Any advice is grealy appreciated!!!

What Shaq said, and make sure you send it to the right contact for the school. Also include your AMCAS ID number so they can file it to the right person

 

[Goro]

You are aware that AdComs place little stock in these? Updates are OK

Long time lurker here
Should I write one and send to the school AFTER they put me on their waitlist or like right now? They haven't contacted me since the interview. It's pretty much my only shot 🙁 Any advice is grealy appreciated!!!

 

[tewpac]

You are aware that AdComs place little stock in these? Updates are OK

Are you referring to both letters of intent and letters of interest? It's my understanding that letters of intent (if you accept me I will attend) are not really taken seriously, but a letter of interest showing continued interest in the school can be helpful.

 

[Narmerguy]

You are aware that AdComs place little stock in these? Updates are OK

All updates should also serve as letters of interest in my book. If I care enough about a school to want to update them, and if they're going to read what I've sent, you can bet I'm going to throw in some stuff on my interest in their school and why I want to go. As long as you're not over the top and desperate, it can't hurt. At worst they just ignore it. I guess if it did hurt me...screw them for rejecting my sincere expression of interest 😛

 

[Goro]

I'll quote my learned colleague gyngyn on the matter:

"It's like words of love. We all like to hear them but nobody really believes them in the AM.
"


All updates should also serve as letters of interest in my book. If I care enough about a school to want to update them, and if they're going to read what I've sent, you can bet I'm going to throw in some stuff on my interest in their school and why I want to go. As long as you're not over the top and desperate, it can't hurt. At worst they just ignore it. I guess if it did hurt me...screw them for rejecting my sincere expression of interest.

Are you referring to both letters of intent and letters of interest? It's my understanding that letters of intent (if you accept me I will attend) are not really taken seriously, but a letter of interest showing continued interest in the school can be helpful.

 

[smarts1]

I'll quote my learned colleague gyngyn on the matter:

"It's like words of love. We all like to hear them but nobody really believes them in the AM.
"


All updates should also serve as letters of interest in my book. If I care enough about a school to want to update them, and if they're going to read what I've sent, you can bet I'm going to throw in some stuff on my interest in their school and why I want to go. As long as you're not over the top and desperate, it can't hurt. At worst they just ignore it. I guess if it did hurt me...screw them for rejecting my sincere expression of interest.

Are you referring to both letters of intent and letters of interest? It's my understanding that letters of intent (if you accept me I will attend) are not really taken seriously, but a letter of interest showing continued interest in the school can be helpful.

Isn't gyngyn from a California medical school though? I thought most California schools don't even like update letters. 😕

I know BU and Georgetown take letter of intents seriously given how many applicants they get so it is probably school dependent.

 

[Goro]

Always best to ask and find out if schools you're applying accept LOI.

Problem solved.

Isn't gyngyn from a California medical school though? I thought most California schools don't even like update letters. 😕

I know BU and Georgetown take letter of intents seriously given how many applicants they get so it is probably school dependent.