Writing a letter of intent to my top choice. What to include? Thoughts?

[FergusonMO]

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I'm thinking:
things i'd do, why it's a fit, what attending this school would mean to me.
Would it be worth mentioning a huge weakness in my application (mcat), as my mcat is a good 11 points lower than the average for this school? My interviewer understood that my mcat isn't representative of my potential capabilities and who I am, but I know having a lower mcat puts me on the chopping block, as one school even rejected me post-interview solely because of my mcat.

What are your thoughts on what I should include and if I should mention the mcat?

 

[SkipJunior]

lol I can always count on you to start some interesting threads! 😆

so do you mind telling us what your mcat score is? 11 points seems like a big difference. So if your school average was 32, you scored a 21? and you still received an interview invite?

very impressive.

You should include all the points you mentioned and mention the mcat.

 

[ShyWhy]

A letter of intent won't do anything - and even with a 40 MCAT average, that'd be a 29. The national average is 31, so that'd be 20 MCAT score?

I'm surprised you got an interview - I don't think writing a letter of intent will do anything at all for you.

 

[seizurecrow]

11 points lower?! I'm not sure if a letter would help much, but it can't hurt to try. Were you waitlisted?

 

[NickNaylor]

Definitely talk about your MCAT. Be sure to tell them that "even though I tried really hard I just couldn't get it done, but I know I can do well in medical school." That is sure to assuage any concerns they might have about your score. Also be sure to mention how lucky they would be to have an outstanding young student like yourself on board to contribute to the incoming class. They would be missing out on an excellent opportunity if they didn't accept you.

 

[Skinomi]

Oh mrh125, you need to step up your trolling game. Unfortunately for you, I have a good memory and your attempt at a subtle humble brag of having a MCAT 11 points lower than this school's average is impossible. Given that you scored a 29 on your first MCAT, and a 28 on your second, that would mean the school's average is 40 or 39; respectively. Unfortunately for you, the highest MCAT averages in the nation are WashU and UPenn at 38.

 

[Tman90]

.

 

[FergusonMO]

Can I get some non-trolling responses without the thinly-veiled jealousy?

lol I can always count on you to start some interesting threads! 😆

so do you mind telling us what your mcat score is? 11 points seems like a big difference. So if your school average was 32, you scored a 21? and you still received an interview invite?

very impressive.

You should include all the points you mentioned and mention the mcat.

mcat average at the school was a 38, thought it was higher. No wonder I'm not a math major. 9 pts lower.

you need to step up your trolling game. Unfortunately for you, I have a good memory and your attempt at a subtle humble brag of having a MCAT 11 points lower than this school's average is impossible. Given that you scored a 29 on your first MCAT, and a 28 on your second, that would mean the school's average is 40 or 39; respectively. Unfortunately for you, the highest MCAT averages in the nation are WashU and UPenn at 38.

Step up my trolling? My mcat is a 29, I don't have to step up anything because i'm not trolling. You should step up your silence game and be quiet.

 

[Goro]

You are aware that schools ignore LOI? You want to show that you're interested, apply there.

“Dream schools are like dream girls: better in the abstract than reality”. –The exceptionally wise gyngyn

Would I be alone if I said that I seriously doubt OP has received any interviews?

I'm thinking:
things i'd do, why it's a fit, what attending this school would mean to me.
Would it be worth mentioning a huge weakness in my application (mcat), as my mcat is a good 11 points lower than the average for this school? My interviewer understood that my mcat isn't representative of my potential capabilities and who I am, but I know having a lower mcat puts me on the chopping block, as one school even rejected me post-interview solely because of my mcat.

What are your thoughts on what I should include and if I should mention the mcat?

 

[FergusonMO]

You are aware that schools ignore LOI? You want to show that you're interested, apply there.

“Dream schools are like dream girls: better in the abstract than reality”. –The exceptionally wise gyngyn

Would I be alone if I said that I seriously doubt OP has received any interviews?

I already applied and interviewed. You can assume all you want about me not getting an interview, but going through the effort to post something like this if I didn't would be laughable at best not to mention a waste of effort on my part.

 

[hoihaie]

I think you covered most of the necessary things if by "what i'd do" you mean what you would bring/contribute to the school

 

[SkipJunior]

I already applied and interviewed. You can assume all you want about me not getting an interview, but going through the effort to post something like this if I didn't would be laughable at best not to mention a waste of effort on my part.

So a lot of people have told me you are a previously banned poster called mrh125. Now I've given you the benefit of doubt but can you state your defense here, once and for all? We need to be sure you are honest and trustworthy.

Second, could you tell us how you received an interview invite at such a prestigious top ranked school with such a low MCAT score? What kind of ECs did you have? How did you convince them to give you an interview invite?

 

[FergusonMO]

Thinly veiled jealousy at what, exactly? Your zero admissions?

Water off a duck's back, just because you post something about my admissions doesn't mean it's accurate. Why bother posting at all if you aren't going to be helpful and you're just going to jump-in on the trolling circlejerk in this thread?

Pro-tip to a good portion of posters in this thread (not hoihae or skipjunior). if you're going to call me a troll and point fingers, it's totally hypocritical to do the exact same thing you claim i'm doing in an environment supposedly built to help each other and give each other advice. You don't have to like me and I don't care if you, but you're erroding the purpose of this site.

I think you covered most of the necessary things if by "what i'd do" you mean what you would bring/contribute to the school

Thanks for your response. For the "what i'd bring to this school," how bad is it to restate my stuff mentioned in my application? I feel like it's a good idea to mention what's influenced me in summary and how that'll influence what I bring to the school.

Second, could you tell us how you received an interview invite at such a prestigious top ranked school with such a low MCAT score? What kind of ECs did you have? How did you convince them to give you an interview invite?

i have absolutely nothing to prove to anyone in this thread though if you want my help/information it'd be wise for you to stop reviving and encouraging the annoying circlejerk that comes along every time I ask a question. We agree with a lot of things and I'd be happy to give you some advice (PM me), but please just stop encouraging this absolutely pointless circle jerk.

 

[FutureMDiA]

Retake the MCAT.

 

[Skinomi]

The only schools with a 38 average are WashU and Penn. With a ~3.7 GPA from Davis and a 29 + 28 MCAT, I don't see you getting an interview at either. What happened to having 12+ interviews that are "pointless" because they are all "predetermined" since they'll just reject you based on your MCAT score?

 

[Skinomi]

I already applied and interviewed. You can assume all you want about me not getting an interview, but going through the effort to post something like this if I didn't would be laughable at best not to mention a waste of effort on my part.

Yes, yes it is.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

Definitely talk about your MCAT. Be sure to tell them that "even though I tried really hard I just couldn't get it done, but I know I can do well in medical school." That is sure to assuage any concerns they might have about your score. Also be sure to mention how lucky they would be to have an outstanding young student like yourself on board to contribute to the incoming class. They would be missing out on an excellent opportunity if they didn't accept you.

😵
Edit: whoops, I guess my sarcasm detector was off.

 

[f4reignbeauty]

^^^Lol

 

[hoihaie]

Water off a duck's back, just because you post something about my admissions doesn't mean it's accurate. Why bother posting at all if you aren't going to be helpful and you're just going to jump-in on the trolling circlejerk in this thread?

Pro-tip to a good portion of posters in this thread (not hoihae or skipjunior). if you're going to call me a troll and point fingers, it's totally hypocritical to do the exact same thing you claim i'm doing in an environment supposedly built to help each other and give each other advice. You don't have to like me and I don't care if you, but you're erroding the purpose of this site.



Thanks for your response. For the "what i'd bring to this school," how bad is it to restate my stuff mentioned in my application? I feel like it's a good idea to mention what's influenced me in summary and how that'll influence what I bring to the school.



i have absolutely nothing to prove to anyone in this thread though if you want my help/information it'd be wise for you to stop reviving and encouraging the annoying circlejerk that comes along every time I ask a question. We agree with a lot of things and I'd be happy to give you some advice (PM me), but please just stop encouraging this absolutely pointless circle jerk.

I think they review your entire file, in which case it would be pointless to repeat what you've said. Try illustrating how our gap year activities make you someone they want even more.