Letters of Interest - General Questions

[123123321]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,

I'm seeing a lot of circumstance-specific questions, but I had a broader questions with respect to Letters of Interest.

As we're heading into Thanksgiving, I wanted to send some letters of interest out to schools that I've not heard back from yet. However, online, I've seen that some schools view these letters favorably, while other programs do not accept/do not want LOIs. Is there a list of schools that view LOIs favorably/not favorably? Additionally, is now (mid-November) a good time to send out these letters? I have some substantial updates (publications, new volunteer responsibilities, etc.), but I'm not sure if schools even want to hear about these updates.

(As a side note...I've still not heard back from any schools after submitting early August...hence my concerns regarding these LOIs!)

Apologies if I missed my question here. Thanks in advance!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

A Strategic Guide to Letters of Recommendation | Student Doctor Network | SDN

Whether it is an internship or a graduate school application, letters of recommendation are generally expected or required for all applicants to affirm

www.studentdoctor.net

If at first you don’t succeed, write an update letter! | Student Doctor Network | SDN

By this time in the year, the medical application process is beginning to come to a close. If you were an applicant this cycle, you know firsthand what a

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[123123321]

Hello, thanks so much for this response @Mr.Smile12! This is incredibly helpful 🙂
A couple of the schools for whom I'd want to write an update letter do not have a place to upload on the portal. Unfortunately, there's not really info either on whether they accept these. I'm just worried that it might hurt rather than help if I email directly... (UCI)

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hello, thanks so much for this response @Mr.Smile12! This is incredibly helpful 🙂
A couple of the schools for whom I'd want to write an update letter do not have a place to upload on the portal. Unfortunately, there's not really info either on whether they accept these. I'm just worried that it might hurt rather than help if I email directly... (UCI)

In the absence of specific instructions, ask/email the admissions staff. That's the best recourse.