Waitlisted at a school I really liked. Help writing a Letter of Interest?

[medschoolhooray]

Sup guys, I recently got waitlisted at Wake Forest medical school. I loved it there and really would like to attend there.

In the wait list email, they mentioned if I am interested, to send a letter of interest in writing. They said they would favor those who have sent one over those who did not.

I had a few questions writing my letter of interest.

1. During my interview, they asked if I was accepted anywhere and I told them I got into 2 private schools and my state school but I still wanted to go there.

What would be the best way to address my acceptances in my letter of interest? ( the schools I got into are ranked close to wake, one being higher)

I want to ensure they know I want to go there inspite of my acceptances.

2. My plan is to talk about what I liked about the school, what it offers more compared to the schools I got in and why I would like to live in that city ( since I am OOS)

3. When would be the best time to send a LOI? Would sending it ASAP be better than waiting until I am not so fresh in their mind?

4. Any other general tips for LOI's? I understand that the prevailing motto here is that they are useless but given my situation, it is necessary to write one.

5. Do schools waitlist people they would've accepted if they find out they've been accepted to other schools? ( Trying to gauge my reason for getting waitlisted.)

Thanks guys 🙂

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[DokterMom]

Sounds like Wake is trying to protect their yield statistics --
(They asked if you were accepted anywhere else and indicated they give preference to students who send LOIs)

I'd work the angle of why you'd prefer Wake Forest to the other schools that accepted you. Note particularly why you prefer Wake to the school they might logically assume you'd prefer. Be as specific as you can with positives for Wake, but don't go so far as to 'ding' the other schools.

Of course, it's not an acceptance yet, so if you've got any newsworthy updates be sure to include them.

Also, while generally there's no practical difference between letters of intent and letters of interest, if you're genuinely sure you'd prefer Wake, I'd say so. If they're playing the yield game, it might make a difference.

 

[medschoolhooray]

Sounds like Wake is trying to protect their yield statistics --
(They asked if you were accepted anywhere else and indicated they give preference to students who send LOIs)

I'd work the angle of why you'd prefer Wake Forest to the other schools that accepted you. Note particularly why you prefer Wake to the school they might logically assume you'd prefer. Be as specific as you can with positives for Wake, but don't go so far as to 'ding' the other schools.

Of course, it's not an acceptance yet, so if you've got any newsworthy updates be sure to include them.

Also, while generally there's no practical difference between letters of intent and letters of interest, if you're genuinely sure you'd prefer Wake, I'd say so. If they're playing the yield game, it might make a difference.

Thanks for your wonderful analysis! 🙂

1. How what length do you suggest for the letter? I could write a whole lot but I don't wanna scare them off lol

2. Would traveling overseas be newsworthy in your opinion? ( It will be for a few months of vacationing)

 

[medschoolhooray]

Why would Wake care if you went on vacation?

IDK. I've seen people on the forums here say that traveling overseas is noteworthy as it exposes one to new cultures and personal growth.

 

[medschoolhooray]

Explain why you're a good fit for wake, a few things that make you different from every other applicant, and the programs and opportunities you want to take advantage of if accepted to wake.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[medschoolhooray]

@Goro @gyngyn Your thoughts?

 

[Goro]

I'm not a fan of LOI. Most people lie when they write them. How would YOU interpret a non-binding contract from a desperate candidate???? the only time that they may have a payoff is if you are accepted at a better school.

Yet some schools like to see candidates grovel, and receive love letters. I don't know if Wake is one of them. Perhaps inquire in the school-specific thread?

@Goro @gyngyn Your thoughts?

Do you really think that the Admissions dean will go screaming to the Adcom and say "We have to accept this kid...they went on vacation overseas!!!!!!

????

Only if the travelling were in the Armed Forces, or you joined the Peace Corps.

. Would traveling overseas be newsworthy in your opinion? ( It will be for a few months of vacationing)

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

I thought that a clear letter of intent was semi binding because you could be reported by the school you lied to for dishonesty to your matriculating institution if you did not end up going to the first institution.

 

[cloudstrife2054]

Why would you need help with a letter of interest? The reason this school is your top choice is specific for you. This forum is only meant for generic advice, not something specific like this. If you have a genuine reason and passion for the school, it would mean you have researched them, their mission statement, how they stand out from other schools to you, etc.

Don't worry about a bad rough draft. The rough is meant to get your ideas down. The subsequent drafts are meant to organize your thoughts and express your words clearly. Besides, I read on an article the letters of interest hold more meaning when sent after new years because it meant you thought it thoroughly.

 

[kb1900]

L

I thought that a clear letter of intent was semi binding because you could be reported by the school you lied to for dishonesty to your matriculating institution if you did not end up going to the first institution.

its definitely not binding but I think it's bull**** applicants can write several letters to different schools saying "you are my top choice and I will withdraw from xyz if admitted"

And it definitely reflects pooely when an applicant doesn't follow thru (though it's still not binding)

 

[medschoolhooray]

I'm not a fan of LOI. Most people lie when they write them. How would YOU interpret a non-binding contract from a desperate candidate???? the only time that they may have a payoff is if you are accepted at a better school.

Yet some schools like to see candidates grovel, and receive love letters. I don't know if Wake is one of them. Perhaps inquire in the school-specific thread?



Do you really think that the Admissions dean will go screaming to the Adcom and say "We have to accept this kid...they went on vacation overseas!!!!!!

????

Only if the travelling were in the Armed Forces, or you joined the Peace Corps.

. Would traveling overseas be newsworthy in your opinion? ( It will be for a few months of vacationing)

Wake asked for a LOI since I was waitlisted. So its safe to assume they like them. I just wanted to get your feedback on formatting/content of the letter given my situation.

 

[Chelsea FC]

This is the **** that annoys me. People who want to be the future leaders dancing like well trained chickens for these schools... I don't really mind when a student loves a school and wants to write a letter. But it pisses me off when these schools dangle a chance of a II/acceptance with the condition you blow extra wind up their ass. And the hive mind mentality among my peers who see it almost a necessity to send in LOI and thank you letters. My LOI and thank you letter was my application fee. These schools can shove their letters up their #$!@.

 

[Goro]

Agree 100%
Wanting to see a candidate grovel is pretty perverse.

This is the **** that annoys me. People who want to be the future leaders dancing like well trained chickens for these schools... I don't really mind when a student loves a school and wants to write a letter. But it pisses me off when these schools dangle a chance of a II/acceptance with the condition you blow extra wind up their ass. And the hive mind mentality among my peers who see it almost a necessity to send in LOI and thank you lawyers. My LOI and thank you letter was my application fee. These schools can shove their letters up their #$!@.

 

[Astra]

Agree 100%
Wanting to see a candidate grovel is pretty perverse.

Devils advocate. OP did mention she had acceptances during the interview. By waitlisting her and asking for a LOI, they can really see if she wants to go there versus giving out an acceptance to a student who might not attend.

 

[Goro]

The trouble is anyone can lie in these things. Suppose the accepts were at LUCOM and CNU, for example.

Devils advocate. OP diese tbingsd mention she had acceptances during the interview. By waitlisting her and asking for a LOI, they can really see if she wants to go there versus giving out an acceptance to a student who might not attend.

 

[Kgizzle]

Why would you need help with a letter of interest? The reason this school is your top choice is specific for you. This forum is only meant for generic advice, not something specific like this. If you have a genuine reason and passion for the school, it would mean you have researched them, their mission statement, how they stand out from other schools to you, etc.

Don't worry about a bad rough draft. The rough is meant to get your ideas down. The subsequent drafts are meant to organize your thoughts and express your words clearly. Besides, I read on an article the letters of interest hold more meaning when sent after new years because it meant you thought it thoroughly.

This... You know why you want to go there. Keep it half a page to a page long at most. I would write "from emotion" if that makes sense. Fit is generally an emotion thing so use that and put it down on paper. Make sure to mention the other acceptances too. Like @Goro mentioned, you don't want to come off as a thirsty applicant with no options.

 

[cloudstrife2054]

This is the **** that annoys me. People who want to be the future leaders dancing like well trained chickens for these schools... I don't really mind when a student loves a school and wants to write a letter. But it pisses me off when these schools dangle a chance of a II/acceptance with the condition you blow extra wind up their ass. And the hive mind mentality among my peers who see it almost a necessity to send in LOI and thank you letters. My LOI and thank you letter was my application fee. These schools can shove their letters up their #$!@.

There's a reason medical schools interview 5 times the number of seats they have available, there's no guarantee any interviewee will even choose to attend them, which will not guarantee all the seats the school has will be filled. A letter of intent is like a guaranteed contract that student will occupy one of the available seats.

Secondly, they're taking time to interview you, therefore, they see potential in you. In you're a medical student, I assume you asked for rec letters. You're supposed to write a thank you card for your writers because they're taking their time to help you get in. Also, admissions committee members could be stressed out so reading a thank you letter might just make their day because it shows you have consideration for others, a key trait for a physician.

Lastly, try to think from the perspective of others before you rant like this.

 

[Chelsea FC]

There's a reason medical schools interview 5 times the number of seats they have available, there's no guarantee any interviewee will even choose to attend them, which will not guarantee all the seats the school has will be filled. A letter of intent is like a guaranteed contract that student will occupy one of the available seats.

Secondly, they're taking time to interview you, therefore, they see potential in you. In you're a medical student, I assume you asked for rec letters. You're supposed to write a thank you card for your writers because they're taking their time to help you get in. Also, admissions committee members could be stressed out so reading a thank you letter might just make their day because it shows you have consideration for others, a key trait for a physician.

Lastly, try to think from the perspective of others before you rant like this.

firstly accept me if you want me to attend the school don't wait-list a student and ask them to send you "love notes" to help the school make up its mind. They should do their jobs! alot of schools make decisions on applicants without this BS.

Secondly they are doing their jobs interviewing me, this is beneficial for the schools just as much as it is for the student. And the thank you cards people talk about on here is cards sent to interviewers not your Letter writers (who have no obligation to write them for you) so I dont see where u are going with that. And as I said before I have no problem if you think u and a person clicked and you want to write a nice letter to them. But its the mentality that writing that one letter is a essential piece of the puzzle of gaining a acceptance/interview which irks me and the fact that medical schools cultivates this sort of thinking makes it worst

Lastly shame on me to break from this hive mind mentality that we have to dance like well trained chickens for admissions into medical school . I understand where OP is coming from i'm going through the same cycle as him and I know how stressful it is and how tempting it is to keep shedding layers of your dignity to get in so I sympathize but that doesnt mean I have to agree with him or create a safe space where no one has dissenting opinion .

 

[cloudstrife2054]

firstly accept me if you want me to attend the school don't wait-list a student and ask them to send you "love notes" to help the school make up its mind. They should do their jobs! alot of schools make decisions on applicants without this BS.

Secondly they are doing their jobs interviewing me, this is beneficial for the schools just as much as it is for the student. And the thank you cards people talk about on here is cards sent to interviewers not your Letter writers (who have no obligation to write them for you) so I dont see where u are going with that. And as I said before I have no problem if you think u and a person clicked and you want to write a nice letter to them. But its the mentality that writing that one letter is a essential piece of the puzzle of gaining a acceptance/interview which irks me and the fact that medical schools cultivates this sort of thinking makes it worst

Lastly shame on me to break from this hive mind mentality that we have to dance like well trained chickens for admissions into medical school . I understand where OP is coming from i'm going through the same cycle as him and I know how stressful it is and how tempting it is to keep shedding layers of your dignity to get in so I sympathize but that doesnt mean I have to agree with him or create a safe space where no one has dissenting opinion .

You don't get it, do you? They do not know for sure if the and accepted and/or waitlisted students will even finalize on their school. It's a gamble in a sense. A letter of intent means if they accept that student, they are guaranteed to get their spots filled. You seem to forget you're not the only one competing. They're also competing with other medical schools to obtain students as well.

They don't have to interview you. 10% of applicants on average, get interviewed per school. The fact you got picked is quite the honor. You do realize schools on average hand out 4,000 secondaries, right? Imagine how much reading that is. For each application, there is a personal statement, up to 10 LORs, 15 activities, and whatever else they do.

Having an opinion, does not mean it cannot be changed based on new information. Also, you strike me as a very black and white person. As in you think black and white, you focus a lot on the "what" but not the "why". Like I said, try looking at it from their perspective. You do realize being a doctor means you will be shedding a lot more dignity than this right? A lot of people seeking health care not having the best mindset for lots of reasons, having a rough night for example. Which means you're going to have a lot of empathy and be able to endure the crap they throw at you. If this is where your limit is with as you call "shaving your dignity", maybe medicine isn't right for you.

 

[wanderingorion]

maybe medicine isn't right for you.

Was waiting for this to happen. Always does.



Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Chelsea FC]

You don't get it, do you? They do not know for sure if the and accepted and/or waitlisted students will even finalize on their school. It's a gamble in a sense. A letter of intent means if they accept that student, they are guaranteed to get their spots filled. You seem to forget you're not the only one competing. They're also competing with other medical schools to obtain students as well.

They don't have to interview you. 10% of applicants on average, get interviewed per school. The fact you got picked is quite the honor.

Having an opinion, does not mean it cannot be changed based on new information. Also, you strike me as a very black and white person. As in you think black and white, you focus a lot on the "what" but not the "why". Like I said, try looking at it from their perspective. You do realize being a doctor means you will be shedding a lot more dignity than this right? A lot of people go into hospitals not in the best mindset, so you're going to have a lot of empathy and endure the crap they throw at you. If this is where your limit is with as you call "shaving your dignity", maybe medicine isn't right for you.

Burnett's law has been invoked. Everybody drink.

Also I find it funny someone who hasnt been though the process is telling me to look at it from the other persons prospective when I have much more of a idea of what the person is going through than you. And the fact you used 2 small comments on a thread to judge my capacity of being a compassionate physician speaks alot.

So I will make this simple for you because you dont seem to get it. A LOI means ****, I can send one to every school I apply to and not follow through so it doesnt mean anything. Schools for years have been able to make decisions about filling their class without LOI and schools currently do that so dont give me its a necessity BS.

The fact that I got picked is a honor ??? Plz give me a break you drinking that pre-med koolaid .

 

[cloudstrife2054]

Burnett's law has been invoked. Everybody drink.

Also I find it funny someone who hasnt been though the process is telling me to look at it from the other persons prospective when I have much more of a idea of what the person is going through than you. And the fact you used 2 small comments on a thread to judge my capacity of being a compassionate physician speaks alot.

So I will make this simple for you because you dont seem to get it. A LOI means ****, I can send one to every school I apply to and not follow through so it doesnt mean anything. Schools for years have been able to make decisions about filling their class without LOI and schools currently do that so dont give me its a necessity BS.

The fact that I got picked is a honor ??? Plz give me a break you drinking that pre-med koolaid .

If you have to resort to making fun of someone's status, it means you pretty much lost.

Doesn't seem like we'll see eye to eye, so let me leave you one last piece of information, health care is not your average job, people's lives are at stake and a lot of your patients will not be in the best mindset when you see them. So if you lack empathy with the admissions committee, I doubt you have the empathy to deal with patients who need health care but are not in the best mindset. You should not only stay away from medicine, but all health care related fields. Although there's always a chance you'll mature in the next 4 years since that is plenty of time to learn about empathy and medical schools focus a lot on that. Let's hope you actually learn to have more empathy. Cheers to that. I won't be replying to you again.

 

[Chelsea FC]

If you have to resort to making fun of someone's status, it means you pretty much lost.

Doesn't seem like we'll see eye to eye, so let me leave you one last piece of information, health care is not your average job, people's lives are at stake and a lot of your patients will not be in the best mindset when you see them. So if you lack empathy with the admissions committee, I doubt you have the empathy to deal with patients who need health care but are not in the best mindset. You should not only stay away from medicine, but all health care related fields. Although there's always a chance you'll mature in the next 4 years since that is plenty of time to learn about empathy and medical schools focus a lot on that. Let's hope you actually learn to have more empathy. Cheers to that. I won't be replying to you again.

So I disagree with you about grovelling to medical school and you use that to conclude I am not empathetic and wouldn't make a good doctor and I am the one who needs maturing ??? Keep drinking the pre-med kool-aid and think how much its a honor for them to interview you so you will jump through any hoops they ask of you with a smile on your face . And I find it funny that after I have consistently pushed backed on your way of thinking you just want to take your ball and go home...

 

[samsam66]

tell them....let me in damn it!

 

[kb1900]

If you have to resort to making fun of someone's status, it means you pretty much lost.

Doesn't seem like we'll see eye to eye, so let me leave you one last piece of information, health care is not your average job, people's lives are at stake and a lot of your patients will not be in the best mindset when you see them. So if you lack empathy with the admissions committee, I doubt you have the empathy to deal with patients who need health care but are not in the best mindset. You should not only stay away from medicine, but all health care related fields. Although there's always a chance you'll mature in the next 4 years since that is plenty of time to learn about empathy and medical schools focus a lot on that. Let's hope you actually learn to have more empathy. Cheers to that. I won't be replying to you again.

what is wrong with you lol...

this is so insane

 

[WedgeDawg]

Keep it clean folks

 

[Papa Oso]

1. How what length do you suggest for the letter? I could write a whole lot but I don't wanna scare them off lol

About 3 paragraphs.