Letter of Intent - when to send?

[avoidingpurgatory]

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[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

When you have a pending decision, it's tough. I wouldn't send letters of intent after I found out I was waitlisted.

 

[chilly_md]

I have committed to 1 DO school & am waiting for my only MD II result (in-state MD). It has been a little over 2 months since I've had the interview. No significant updates, just trucking along at my current activities. The school does not allow letters of interest, but they allow for significant updates and letters of interest. I have a sinking feeling that it will be a Post-II R.

Compared to other applicants, I feel that my reasons for wanting to commit to this school (if accepted) are weak. Most of my family members have moved here, I like it here, and I don't really want to move back to my home state even though all of my extended family live there. That's pretty much it. Should I even send a letter of interest? The wait is killing me.
Thank you in advance.

I'm assuming you meant they don't allow letters of intent but are fine with interest letters. I suspect an in-state public MD will not factor these in.

 

[The OTC]

If you'll be happier with the location of the DO, why not just do that? As long as you are okay with the extra hurdles of the DO path, why not enjoy where you are?

If you really want to get both A's in hand then make a decision, send whichever letter they accept for the miniscule chance it could move the needle.

 

[avoidingpurgatory]

I'm assuming you meant they don't allow letters of intent but are fine with interest letters. I suspect an in-state public MD will not factor these in.

Sorry for the confusion. They explicitly said no interest letters but I emailed admissions about intent letters, which they said OK to. I'm a bit confused because they also said letters of intent can be sent anytime after the interview (this seems more like a letter of interest to me). I was under the impression that a letter of intent was for people who are on the WL.

 

[The OTC]

Oh - did you mention your family has moved to the state in your app or interviews? Could be a good addition to an update letter and meaningful that your support system being in the area is a significant factor. Have a letter prepped and ready to send should you get hit with a WL.

I am very surprised a program is not classifying you as in-state with having lived there for a decade?? I believe you, but damn...

 

[avoidingpurgatory]

Oh - did you mention your family has moved to the state in your app or interviews? Could be a good addition to an update letter and meaningful that your support system being in the area is a significant factor. Have a letter prepped and ready to send should you get hit with a WL.

I am very surprised a program is not classifying you as in-state with having lived there for a decade?? I believe you, but damn...

Yeah, my situation is kind of weird. I mentioned it only when trying to get in-state tuition (separate form), but I have no idea who in admissions saw what I wrote for why I should qualify as in-state. So basically, don't send the letter of intent now & wait for the final decision, even though admissions told me I could technically upload a letter of intent now?

 

[The OTC]

Have you sent an update letter? It would be more effective at this point, even if it's one small new item/activity. You can include continued interest, family in the area, etc. in this as well.

I would hold a letter of intent until the WL decision. It won't move the needle much but reaffirms your desire to attend. Most LOIs are seen as lies as mentioned by adcoms out here so recommend squeezing an update letter if you can.

 

[avoidingpurgatory]

Have you sent an update letter? It would be more effective at this point, even if it's one small new item/activity. You can include continued interest, family in the area, etc. in this as well.

I would hold a letter of intent until the WL decision. It won't move the needle much but reaffirms your desire to attend. Most LOIs are seen as lies as mentioned by adcoms out here so recommend squeezing an update letter if you can.

Unfortunately, I have not sent an update letter because I have no updates at all. Adcom made it very clear to interviewees that they want significant updates, such as a paper publication, poster presentation at a conference, etc. I am only working 2 part-time clinical jobs, 1 medical billing job, and volunteering. Nothing new to report, honestly.

 

[AsclepiusAdvisingLLC]

Letters of intent need to be sent after you have made an informed decision and are often the most powerful when you are given a WL status because you KNOW that the adcoms will be re-reviewing your application. If you send the letter right now there is no garentee that they will review it because they might have already made their decisions.

 

[avoidingpurgatory]

Have you sent an update letter? It would be more effective at this point, even if it's one small new item/activity. You can include continued interest, family in the area, etc. in this as well.

I would hold a letter of intent until the WL decision. It won't move the needle much but reaffirms your desire to attend. Most LOIs are seen as lies as mentioned by adcoms out here so recommend squeezing an update letter if you can.

Hi, wanted to ask a follow up question. In my secondary for this school, I wrote that I had planned two activities - 1) a new job, which at the time I had yet to start and 2) planning to return to a volunteering organization I worked at for 2023-2024. Is stating that “hello adcom, I am actually doing these activities” an acceptable update letter? I’m hesitant bc the director of admissions specifically said updates were for significant things, like a new paper or new job.

 

[The OTC]

I'm a fellow applicant so take my advice with a grain of salt, but I would send that in. Start with.. My Name is X, Interviewed this day, and gretly appreciated the opportunity to engage further with your program. Then start talking about starting the roles, hours, anything you learned/done that will influence your path as a doctor, then end the letter affirming your interest and maybe something you enjoyed on interview day.