Submitting Pre-Interview letter

[2thDoc11]

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I was listening to some podcasts and someone had mentioned something about writing your top school a letter about how much you would like to attend their school. I suppose this would probably be considered a letter of intent? He said that the school seemed to like his enthusiasm and energy when it came to their program.. whats the general consensus about submitting a letter talking about the reasons you want to attend their school ? I’m sure some think it’s an attempt to cheat the system? For me personally, I am from ND and would love To go to university of Minnesota. Luckily we have reciprocity and it would be much cheaper then most other options considering we don’t have a state school. Of course money isn’t the only reason as they do have a fantastic program and I’ve heard nothing but great things from those who have attended.. I wanna try to make myself stick out in the crowd considering their open house and everything else was canceled due to COVID.

 

[Dr.Deadpool97]

Personally I think that is unprofessional. Your stats are great and you have a good chance to get an interview there. So there is a possibility that they like your letter of intent but what if they consider it as a cheating way trying to impress them? I would wait to get an interview and then talk about how passionate im about their school during the interview, but as I said this is a personal idea and good luck!

 

[2thDoc11]

Personally I think that is unprofessional. Your stats are great and you have a good chance to get an interview there. So there is a possibility that they like your letter of intent but what if they consider it as a cheating way trying to impress them? I would wait to get an interview and then talk about how passionate im about their school during the interview, but as I said this is a personal idea and good luck!

Thanks for the input! Yea I sorta think the same as you.. just one of those things that if I didn’t receive an interview then I’d regret not doing it but also don’t want that to be a cause for them thinking I’m unprofessional.

 

[MLC45]

I don't think writing a letter is unprofessional. Schools will get over 1000 applications. Writing a letter or making a phone call is one way of trying to keep your name somewhere in the back of their minds. Will they read it and give you an interview because of it? Most likely no. The school will go by your stats in deciding who gets interviews, but I don't think it would hurt anything if you wrote something up beat and exciting. Just don't write something desperate and begging. That would be unprofessional.

 

[2thDoc11]

I don't think writing a letter is unprofessional. Schools will get over 1000 applications. Writing a letter or making a phone call is one way of trying to keep your name somewhere in the back of their minds. Will they read it and give you an interview because of it? Most likely no. The school will go by your stats in deciding who gets interviews, but I don't think it would hurt anything if you wrote something up beat and exciting. Just don't write something desperate and begging. That would be unprofessional.

Do you have an example of what would be upbeat and positive without it sounding like you are trying to cheat the system?

 

[NJ_Doc]

IMO, I think the letter is unprofessional/not really influential if you send it before an interview, especially this early in an application cycle. We all know what it takes to get an interview and it pretty much just comes down to impressing the admissions committee with stats. However, I think sending a letter of intent after an interview is a completely different situation. If you personally reach out to one person who interviewed you and tell them all the reasons that their school is your #1 and will 100% matriculate and drop all other offers if given an acceptance, this can be very influential. everyone is applying to 10+ schools and I saw on the ADEA virtual fair that around 20-30% of people given acceptances don't matriculate because they go to other schools so if they like you enough for an interview they will love hearing that you will drop all other offers. I'm applying this cycle and plan on doing this for my state school.

 

[2thDoc11]

IMO, I think the letter is unprofessional/not really influential if you send it before an interview, especially this early in an application cycle. We all know what it takes to get an interview and it pretty much just comes down to impressing the admissions committee with stats. However, I think sending a letter of intent after an interview is a completely different situation. If you personally reach out to one person who interviewed you and tell them all the reasons that their school is your #1 and will 100% matriculate and drop all other offers if given an acceptance, this can be very influential. everyone is applying to 10+ schools and I saw on the ADEA virtual fair that around 20-30% of people given acceptances don't matriculate because they go to other schools so if they like you enough for an interview they will love hearing that you will drop all other offers. I'm applying this cycle and plan on doing this for my state school.

That is a great idea! Not sure why I'm so worried as early as we are in the cycle. I did have an orthodontist who is friends with a couple professors and the dean write me a letter of rec. He sent this to each of them directly outside of the aadsas portal. Hopefully both of us get the opportunity to have an interview at the state schools!

 

[S_Diamond_DDS]

Honestly, when you’re doing something out of the box you won’t be able to ask for advice as to whether it’s a good idea or not. Use your best judgment. If you think you can pull off a positive grabbing letter and more importantly the admissions will read the letter, then more power to you. But I believe many schools urge candidates not to send more the the required documents, so it may go right into the wastebasket depending on the school. Your personal statement should speak for itself anyways. If it were me, I’d play and cool and not send a letter. If they don’t invite you to interview, their loss right?

 

[2thDoc11]

Honestly, when you’re doing something out of the box you won’t be able to ask for advice as to whether it’s a good idea or not. Use your best judgment. If you think you can pull off a positive grabbing letter and more importantly the admissions will read the letter, then more power to you. But I believe many schools urge candidates not to send more the the required documents, so it may go right into the wastebasket depending on the school. Your personal statement should speak for itself anyways. If it were me, I’d play and cool and not send a letter. If they don’t invite you to interview, their loss right?

Is this just regarding pre-interview letter or after interview? Both? Their loss but I'd ultimately lose a lot more money lol Thank you for your input!

 

[S_Diamond_DDS]

Is this just regarding pre-interview letter or after interview? Both? Their loss but I'd ultimately lose a lot more money lol Thank you for your input!

Both. Yeah but you’re speaking as if such a letter would guarantee you an interview. Not so. It’s out of your hands if a school will consider you for interview or not at the end of the day. You go where you get in.

 

[macsak]

at this point in the cycle, your letter of interest is spelled A-A-D-S-A-S...