Medical Namedrop another acceptance in LOI?

[Question]

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I've been accepted to State School A (woot!), but I recently attended an interview with Top Medical School B. Top Med School at this point, for many reasons, is now my top choice. It seemed out of reach for me and I never realistically considered it, but after learning more about it, attending my interview, and talking with students after my interview, I can see myself fitting in there.

In writing a LOI I wonder about a few things: How can I make the LOI matter? Do I name drop State School to show I'm serious about Top Med School? Do I say why Top Med School over State School? If I say "I like your xyz", will it be taken seriously if both schools are pretty similar in that aspect, but Top Med wins out? I have good stats but not par for Top Med, and my general application is probably weaker than average, like "good but hasn't done enough". Will leaving names out hurt me, as they'll infer I don't have anywhere similarly strong to go, and thus my intent to attend is a given? Idk how Top Med would view State School, if they think it's real competition or not, but my understanding is that they're pretty neck and neck.

If the game is played by mentioning the acceptance, I should probably do so, but I'm laboring over the choice. I'm worried about the perception of that, or how word gets around. And I actually like State School a lot, they're just not my #1, and if the LOI doesn't work out I'd be happy to go there.

I think after getting past the namedropping question, I could write a potent LOI, but I'm hung up on that detail.

What do you believe is the right call here? Thank you for reading!

— Experts please respond to this post —

 

[GoSpursGo]

No don’t do this. Not only is it in poor taste Top Med could actively choose against you because you already have another acceptance and so they don’t want to waste time on a fin aid bidding war.

Always incorrect to name drop other schools

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Yah, do not do this. Not gonna help you at all.

 

[Dral]

Agree to not do this. Anyone on this side of the game (actually both sides of the game) know that people will say whatever/profess their love just to get an acceptance/rank. I'm not accusing you of that, but there is certainly a 'boy that cried wolf' affect here (we've seen it enough times to just expect that's the case).

At best it does nothing. At worst it hurts you.

 

[GoSpursGo]

When would an LOI mean something? Only on a WL?

Theoretically, it might do something at a school where you could reasonably be expected to have other A's at similar institutions. Gives them some peace of mind that if they accept you that you're (theoretically) more likely to not later leave them hanging with a last minute spot to fill.

At these super competitive schools that are many peoples' "top choices," it likely isn't going to do anything ever.