Letters of Intent Post-II But Pre-Decision?

[TibiaOrNotTibia]

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I am a bit confused about when it is appropriate to send letters of intent to schools. I often hear that people send them only after being placed on a waitlist, but why would they not send them prior to that if it was a dream school? For instance, would sending a letter of intent to a school make an impact on whether they chose to A, WL, or R you?

I know a lot of schools have this information on their websites, but some don't and that's where the ambiguity sets in for me.

Edit for clarity: I don't plan to send anything in the near future, if at all. I am curious, though, if sending something such as a letter of intent in the winter/new year months would impact a decision if the school does not operate on a rolling admissions model.

 

[wysdoc]

I am a bit confused about when it is appropriate to send letters of intent to schools. I often hear that people send them only after being placed on a waitlist, but why would they not send them prior to that if it was a dream school? For instance, would sending a letter of intent to a school make an impact on whether they chose to A, WL, or R you?

I know a lot of schools have this information on their websites, but some don't and that's where the ambiguity sets in for me.

Way way too early to do this.
You don’t know where you will interview in the next 6 months and which school you will end up preferring after you learn more

 

[TibiaOrNotTibia]

Way way too early to do this.
You don’t know where you will interview in the next 6 months and which school you will end up preferring after you learn more

Sorry, I should have provided more context! I don't plan to send anything (interest/intent) until wayyy later in the cycle, if at all. I was more so wondering whether it would be an appropriate thing to send in the January/February timeline prior to the release of non-rolling decisions.

 

[wysdoc]

Sorry, I should have provided more context! I don't plan to send anything (interest/intent) until wayyy later in the cycle, if at all. I was more so wondering whether it would be an appropriate thing to send in the January/February timeline prior to the release of non-rolling decisions.

When you are hasty and unclear you not only don’t get good answers, you will be misunderstood. If this happens to you a lot and you often end up backtracking and trying to explain what you meant, it’s something to ponder and work on.

 

[TibiaOrNotTibia]

When you are hasty and unclear you not only don’t get good answers, you will be misunderstood. If this happens to you a lot and you often end up backtracking and trying to explain what you meant, it’s something to ponder and work on.

I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to be incautious.

 

[CDaFutureDocMan]

To answer your question, I’d say you shouldn’t send a letter of intent until you are 100% sure you’re being honest with yourself about the school. You also don’t want to send it until you are sure it will actually help your chances. For example, if you send one immediately post II that may come off as desperate and insincere.

The point is to give them the idea that you are a person that will stay with them if you get other acceptances. Sending this too early in the cycle obviously doesn’t send this message, because you don’t have any idea if you’ll get more acceptances yet. Personally, I won’t be sending any letters of intent or continued interest until it’s at the earliest March or I’ve been waitlisted.

I’m by no means an expert or professional on admissions, but this is the general vibe I’ve gotten from reading conversations on the topic before. If anyone would like to correct anything I’ve gotten wrong that would be appreciated!

 

[Goro]

I am a bit confused about when it is appropriate to send letters of intent to schools. I often hear that people send them only after being placed on a waitlist, but why would they not send them prior to that if it was a dream school? For instance, would sending a letter of intent to a school make an impact on whether they chose to A, WL, or R you?

I know a lot of schools have this information on their websites, but some don't and that's where the ambiguity sets in for me.

Edit for clarity: I don't plan to send anything in the near future, if at all. I am curious, though, if sending something such as a letter of intent in the winter/new year months would impact a decision if the school does not operate on a rolling admissions model.

Because based upon historic norms, Adcoms know they're lies.

And how would you interpret a non-binding contract from a desperate applicant????