Stupid question: How do you write a letter of intent/interest??

[yalla22]

I've been reading a lot about these "letters of intent" and i'm wondering, how do people write them and when in the application process do people submit them?
What should the content be and generally how long are they?

I'm considering writing one to a school that i desperately want to attend (havent gotten an interview yet) but am not sure about the form, how to do it, what to say, when to say, etc...

Any help would be appreciated😳

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[crstabel]

Hi there,

I had the same question as you, and I spoke with my pre-medical advisor at GWU and this is what she told me - don't even bother with letters of interest until you have been rejected or waitlisted. Only then would you court the program with letters of interest or letters of support (beyond any letters of rec you may have already sent). Basiclly, if your AMCAS, grades and MCAT aren't strong enough to get you a secondary and an interview, you don't have a chance with the school anyway.

I wish I could tell you something more positive, but this is what I understand. On the upside, just because you haven't heard anything doesn't mean that you won't... hang in there. This is a long and ardourous process, and it is far from over. Don't let the bas!#*ds get you down!!!

Christine

 

[ColumbiaGuy]

I agree with the pre-med advisor somewhat. Only send letters of intent/interest after being waitlisted. Before even getting an interview it wouldn't make sense. However, before getting an interview I would send in anything that is new to your app. Ex. new grades, publications, etc. When you do come to writing letters of intent (if you are waitlisted somewhere) you are basically writing them to let them know that they are not just 1 of 25 that you applied to and more or less a back-up but rather your top choice and if they accept you there is no question that you WILL go there. Lots of people get waitlisted and do nothing. This is a huge mistake.

 

[S-Mart]

I've been reading a lot about these "letters of intent" and i'm wondering, how do people write them and when in the application process do people submit them?
What should the content be and generally how long are they?

I'm considering writing one to a school that i desperately want to attend (havent gotten an interview yet) but am not sure about the form, how to do it, what to say, when to say, etc...

Any help would be appreciated😳

Stupid answer: write a letter that states your intent. Don't listen to me, I'm new.

 

[razzle07]

I had the same question as the OP. In early October I got put on hold for an interview at UCSD (where I really want to go!!). I was thinking about writing a letter of intent but I don't have anything new to add to my application. I guess I should play the wait game and see what ends up happening

 

[Dreamer923]

I was told by my friend who is one of the students on the adcom at his med school to always write letters of interest and intent even if you don't have an interview yet. He told me that when he went for his interview the interviewer told him they were interested in him since he did not just send his AMCAS app and leave it there, he took some initiative to show his interest. If they see the letters they are more likely to pay attention to you....

 

[Nasrudin]

Dear school,
I find you very interesting. I intend to attend.
Cordially,

(sign here)

Your new student

 

[razzle07]

I was told by my friend who is one of the students on the adcom at his med school to always write letters of interest and intent even if you don't have an interview yet. He told me that when he went for his interview the interviewer told him they were interested in him since he did not just send his AMCAS app and leave it there, he took some initiative to show his interest. If they see the letters they are more likely to pay attention to you....

Do you think its better to write an email or a formal letter?

 

[DrZeke]

both. if you have a contact - like a Dean, write them an email, and then send the office a formal letter with an expansion of your brief email...