When to send Letter of Intent?

[calcuttaho]

I just got waitlisted Post-II at my top school. Waiting for decisions from another interview, and I have a third interview coming in mid-November. Out of 32 schools, I’ve received three interviews and four rejections.

I’ve been receiving conflicting reports about when to send a LoI. Some people say to send it immediately after being waitlisted, while other people say to send it after completing all your interviews. I’ve also heard that you should wait until waitlist movement is actually happening so you they can go back to your application. I’m not exactly sure whether or not its a good idea to send out this letter now.

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[pedneuro6894]

In my non-professional opinion, it sorta depends on the school. For a school like Georgetown, sending it now would be a good idea. Other schools you'll want to wait cause it won't do you any good until the waitlist movement starts.

 

[AJS59]

I just got waitlisted Post-II at my top school. Waiting for decisions from another interview, and I have a third interview coming in mid-November. Out of 32 schools, I’ve received three interviews and four rejections.

I’ve been receiving conflicting reports about when to send a LoI. Some people say to send it immediately after being waitlisted, while other people say to send it after completing all your interviews. I’ve also heard that you should wait until waitlist movement is actually happening so you they can go back to your application. I’m not exactly sure whether or not its a good idea to send out this letter now.

I'd send it now. Make it clear of your interest.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Keeping in mind that it likely doesn't matter, once you are 100% certain that you would choose a particular school it's fair game to send a letter of intent. Keep it short and sweet.

 

[Moko]

Keeping in mind that it likely doesn't matter, once you are 100% certain that you would choose a particular school it's fair game to send a letter of intent. Keep it short and sweet.

I agree with this, though one counterpoint is that there are still many more interview invites going out in the coming weeks, so I don't think anyone can truly be 100% sure that they will matriculate to a certain school if given the opportunity (though an exception may be NYU or another school with guaranteed full tuition scholarships). Just my thoughts 🙂.

 

[GoSpursGo]

I agree with this, though one counterpoint is that there are still many more interview invites going out in the coming weeks, so I don't think anyone can truly be 100% sure that they will matriculate to a certain school if given the opportunity (though an exception may be NYU or another school with guaranteed full tuition scholarships). Just my thoughts 🙂.

Agreed. The counter-counterpoint is that, given that nobody can ever know for SURE what they would pick without knowing financial aid offers, the whole idea of sending a letter of intent is kind of silly. But since it seems to make people feel better (and I did it too back in the halcyon days of the 2000s...), if you have a clear favorite then I think it's fine to send whenever you feel sure 🙂

 

[premedgal444]

what would you typically include in a LOI?

 

[AJS59]

what would you typically include in a LOI?

Essentially give compelling reasons why you would choose that med school over all other med schools. Does not need to be super long, just emphasize why you think this school is the best fit for you

 

[Relaxative]

In the LOI, is it a good idea to mention specific names of colleagues/coworkers who are alumni and notable former faculty and have encouraged me to attend the particular medical school?

 

[Goro]

In the LOI, is it a good idea to mention specific names of colleagues/coworkers who are alumni and notable former faculty and have encouraged me to attend the particular medical school?

That info should have been in the "Why us?" secondary essay