LOI?

[aiethela]

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I think this was asked many times already, but I can't seem to find the information by searching.

Anyways, here's my situation.

1) This school (my top choice) had deferred me two weeks ago, and I had responded with a LOI (termed it letter of interest thinking it was the same thing as letter of intent) with updates. I wrote why it was my top choice.
2) Recently got put on the alternate (waitlist) by the school.

Now that I'm on the alternate list, what should I do? send another LOI again?

Seems like the consensus among adcoms is here is that it doesn't carry much weight--in that case, what would be my best strategy to show love for the school and improve chance of getting off the waitlist?

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

You already sent one. Don't become annoying by sending more.

 

[aiethela]

do you have any suggestions on what I should do to keep in touch with the school then?

If no LOIs, what else is there????

 

[gyngyn]

Seems like the consensus among adcoms is here is that it doesn't carry much weight--in that case, what would be my best strategy to show love for the school and improve chance of getting off the waitlist?

Don't look desperate. Don't contact them until well after May 15th and only if you are holding an acceptance elsewhere.

 

[aiethela]

Don't look desperate. Don't contact them until well after May 15th and only if you are holding an acceptance elsewhere.

Thanks gyngyn.

However, this school is specifically mentioning in the waitlist letter that "We want to continue to be in touch with you. So, feel free to communicate with us by email, telephone, or regular mail."

Am I supposed to take this at a face value or just wait till 5/15? It's cuz I don't have any acceptances so far and of 5 interviews, 2 waitlists, 2 rejections, and 1 more to hear back from, which means I don't have much to play with.

Reason for being desperate 😕

 

[gyngyn]

Thanks gyngyn.

However, this school is specifically mentioning in the waitlist letter that "We want to continue to be in touch with you. So, feel free to communicate with us by email, telephone, or regular mail."

Am I supposed to take this at a face value or just wait till 5/15? It's cuz I don't have any acceptances so far and of 5 interviews, 2 waitlists, 2 rejections, and 1 more to hear back from, which means I don't have much to play with.

Reason for being desperate 😕

There may be some (slight) regional differences, but even those schools that apparently welcome such "updates" are more likely to respond to substantive, well-timed ones. They already know that you will come if accepted. We can see that you are holding no acceptances. Further pleading can be of no use. These "LOI's" are written under duress and no one puts any stock in them.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

do you have any suggestions on what I should do to keep in touch with the school then?

If no LOIs, what else is there????

If the school offers preview days or things of such, it is in your best interest to attend. You may also want to contact admissions and ask if there is something you can do in the meantime to improve your candidacy this cycle. Outside of this, I would take the "stay in touch" as a polite gesture rather than welcoming annoying students.

 

[gyngyn]

the "stay in touch" as a polite gesture rather than welcoming annoying students.

I have to believe that this is the main reason for the email.

 

[aiethela]

There may be some (slight) regional differences, but even those schools that apparently welcome such "updates" are more likely to respond to substantive, well-timed ones. They already know that you will come if accepted. We can see that you are holding no acceptances. Further pleading can be of no use. These "LOI's" are written under duress and no one puts any stock in them.

i see. what would you say is a "well-timed" one?

 

[gyngyn]

i see. what would you say is a "well-timed" one?

At the point the admissions officer is considering waitlist candidates ( after May 15th).

 

[TREDWISE]

At the point the admissions officer is considering waitlist candidates ( after May 15th).

This school actually requests that you update them on your app and whether you are still interested in the same email that OP mentioned, but for some reason (s)he left that part out.

We encourage you to update your file with information relevant to your medical school application, including whether you remain interested in attending. Feel free to communicate with us by email, regular mail or telephone. You will be notified by email of any status change.