Post interview letter of intent

[NYCdude]

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Hey all,

So I recently had an interview at undoubtedly my #1 choice school and I'm wondering if it's common to send a letter of intent prior to a decision?

If so, would it help my chances if I did that? Again, this is a letter of intent, and I would give them my word that I will attend if accepted.

Also, does this affect financial aid since I'm already committed to the school? Thanks!

 

[Kelevra]

The popular opinion on SDN is that it won't even be read. Schools know better than to put their faith into an LOI. However, plenty of applicants (myself included) sent them in. It may do something, if you're right on the cusp. It depends on the school, who reads it, when they read it, what you write, how you write, your application as a whole, etc.

If the school says to not send one (which, I doubt, since you are writing one), then don't. But otherwise, it won't do much (negative-wise). They like it, or they just throw it away.

Wouldn't affect your financial aid. LOIs are non-binding. It's not like college sports. They don't listen to all of the promises, a large amount of applicants send in LOIs, and plenty of them end up matriculating elsewhere. You know that you would take that acceptance in a heartbeat; they know that students will say anything to get into medical school. That's about the extent of it.

It's like cognitive conditioning: a few students who send in an LOI get an offer, and suddenly, everybody believes that LOIs help. However, more students that get in do not send in an LOI (just guessing), and the few ADCOM voices we have on here to discuss whether they do anything, are all of the opinion that they don't. But we've heard from current students at others schools (as well as students who attend interviews) that the dean may drop sentences about sending in LOIs. So it's not black and white. If they don't send prohibit it, then go ahead. Just make sure it doesn't sound pompous and desperate.

 

[NYCdude]

The popular opinion on SDN is that it won't even be read. Schools know better than to put their faith into an LOI. However, plenty of applicants (myself included) sent them in. It may do something, if you're right on the cusp. It depends on the school, who reads it, when they read it, what you write, how you write, your application as a whole, etc.

If the school says to not send one (which, I doubt, since you are writing one), then don't. But otherwise, it won't do much (negative-wise). They like it, or they just throw it away.

Wouldn't affect your financial aid. LOIs are non-binding. It's not like college sports. They don't listen to all of the promises, a large amount of applicants send in LOIs, and plenty of them end up matriculating elsewhere. You know that you would take that acceptance in a heartbeat; they know that students will say anything to get into medical school. That's about the extent of it.

It's like cognitive conditioning: a few students who send in an LOI get an offer, and suddenly, everybody believes that LOIs help. However, more students that get in do not send in an LOI (just guessing), and the few ADCOM voices we have on here to discuss whether they do anything, are all of the opinion that they don't. But we've heard from current students at others schools (as well as students who attend interviews) that the dean may drop sentences about sending in LOIs. So it's not black and white. If they don't send prohibit it, then go ahead. Just make sure it doesn't sound pompous and desperate.

Really? I thought I read somewhere from an adcom on this site that LOI's are in fact binding like a contract and that it would very disadvantageous to send one and then not commit to it.

 

[NYCdude]

Can any of the adcoms chime in? @gyngyn @Catalystik @LizzyM @Goro

Thanks!

 

[Kelevra]

Really? I thought I read somewhere from an adcom on this site that LOI's are in fact binding like a contract and that it would very disadvantageous to send one and then not commit to it.

Nope, absolutely non-binding.

 

[ridethecliche]

Really? I thought I read somewhere from an adcom on this site that LOI's are in fact binding like a contract and that it would very disadvantageous to send one and then not commit to it.

They cannot be binding as they are not an official document. This isn't an ED application.

It's 'intent', which can be like 'oh I intended to come to the party tonight but then I got ****faced on my couch at 6 pm while watching reruns and eating take out'.

 

[Doug Underhill]

If you send a letter of intent prior to a decision, please write "letter of intent" on the outside envelope so adcoms don't have to waste their time opening it.

 

[gyngyn]

It seems desperate to send something before you even hear the decision.
And yes, love letters are non-binding. And no, we don't believe them.

 

[NYCdude]

If you send a letter of intent prior to a decision, please write "letter of intent" on the outside envelope so adcoms don't have to waste their time opening it.

No.

 

[NYCdude]

It seems desperate to send something before you even hear the decision.
And yes, love letters are non-binding.

Ah, so you're saying it has no net positive on my chances? Alright I'll scrap this idea.

 

[NYCdude]

They cannot be binding as they are not an official document. This isn't an ED application.

It's 'intent', which can be like 'oh I intended to come to the party tonight but then I got ****faced on my couch at 6 pm while watching reruns and eating take out'.

I just figured that since med school people are all in the same loop, they'd let their colleagues know that you punk'd them... which would presumably have adverse effects on yourself.

 

[Kelevra]

I just figured that since med school people are all in the same loop, they'd let their colleagues know that you punk'd them... which would presumably have adverse effects on yourself.

Nope. They have no shortage of outstanding applicants to choose from, and if you leave, they'll just bring in somebody else.

 

[Kelevra]

And I love Franck Ribery.

 

[Goro]

How would you interpret a non-binding contract from a desperate applicant?
They know you want to go there; that's why they interviewed you.

Can any of the adcoms chime in? @gyngyn @Catalystik @LizzyM @Goro

Thanks!

 

[Vain Brother]

my impression is that they're at least a bit more meaningful once you have other offers. of course someone sitting without an offer wants to get in anywhere he can, so why would an adcom care. someone with other options at least is a bit more interesting

at least this is the impression a med student from a particular school gave off, reading last year's school-specific thread.

 

[NYCdude]

How would you interpret a non-binding contract from a desperate applicant?
They know you want to go there; that's why they interviewed you.

What if I got into my #2 school and was not exactly "desperate?" lol

 

[Catalystik]

There are some schools that like "love letters". You need to know your audience. Consider checking last year's School-Specific thread to see what was said on the subject for your target institution.

 

[NYCdude]

There are some schools that like "love letters". You need to know your audience. Consider checking last year's School-Specific thread to see what was said on the subject for your target institution.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[ridethecliche]

If you send a letter of intent prior to a decision, please write "letter of intent" on the outside envelope so adcoms don't have to waste their time opening it.

No Doug, no!

There, fixed that for ya.

 

[ridethecliche]

What if I got into my #2 school and was not exactly "desperate?" lol

In this case, I would wait till the school can see where else you've been accepted.

Thanks for the tip!

Just the tip?

 

[maccu5000]

Some schools I interviewed at discussed this explicitly. The reception of these letters depends on
1) the school: LOI don't mean much for top tiers, but they do for many mission based schools and those w/ tons of applicants to sort through. Also, they mostly said to hold off on contacting them until after a decision has been made unless you have something to say that really enhances your application.
2) the content of the letter: be sincere and have compelling points. the schools that said they accept letters of interest (none mentioned "intent") said that your sincerity will come through in the letter.

The general sentiment was don't play games, and they'll take you seriously.

 

[palatopharyngeus]

Hey all,

So I recently had an interview at undoubtedly my #1 choice school and I'm wondering if it's common to send a letter of intent prior to a decision?

If so, would it help my chances if I did that? Again, this is a letter of intent, and I would give them my word that I will attend if accepted.

Also, does this affect financial aid since I'm already committed to the school? Thanks!

just wait until you hear back from the school

 

[DrSoup]

It seems desperate to send something before you even hear the decision.
And yes, love letters are non-binding. And no, we don't believe them.

If you wait until a decision has been made, what's the point of sending it?

 

[RIPCombo]

If you wait until a decision has been made, what's the point of sending it?

If you get waitlisted, it may help. If its a rejection, sending the letter probably was not going to help anyway