Can you see the finish line? You’re almost there! You have gone through the rigorous process known as the medical school admissions cycle: Primaries, secondaries, and interviews. Now, you wait for the email that states: “Congratulations on your acceptance to [insert medical school name] School/College of Medicine.” Many previous applicants have shared that the waiting game is the most anxiety-inducing part of the cycle. One of the most common questions from applicants is “What can I do while waiting for a response? Is there something I can send them?” In this blog post, we will cover one important strategic move that can serve as a difference maker for that acceptance letter—the medical school letter of intent.
Disclaimer: We will assume that the school you are interested in sending the letter of intent to accepts them. You will certainly want to confirm that ahead of time.
There are several keys to crafting this important letter: Knowing its purpose and what it isn’t, the timing for sending, what to include in it, and the reasoning behind the unwritten rule of only sending to one school.
What Is a Medical School Letter of Intent?
During the lull in the application process, applicants often consider several strategies as a way to remind schools that they remain available and interested. These include an update letter, a letter of interest, and a letter of intent. We will focus on the letter of intent, but one of the most asked questions by my previous students is what is the difference between a letter of intent and a letter of interest?
While both are opportunities to maintain interest and address any perceived gaps that may have led to you being waitlisted or receiving no answer at this point, there are several key differences. You can send a letter of interest to any school, regardless of whether you have interviewed with them, to serve as a strategy to bump your application back up for their awareness. A letter of intent is expected to be sent to only one school per admissions cycle. That school must be one you have already interviewed with and has demonstrated interest in you.
The most important point of a medical school letter of intent is that you are making a statement to the school. You are committing to attending this school, if accepted, over any others on your list that you have also interviewed with. Period.
Further Reading
🗣️ 20 Medical School Interview Questions You Should Prepare For
When Should I Consider Sending a Letter of Intent?
One of the factors that can play a role in sending this letter is your timing. Letters of intent are expected to be sent after an applicant has already interviewed with the respective medical school. In addition, a good rule of thumb would be to give yourself and the schools on your list time to let the cycle play out. For instance, you wouldn’t want to send a letter of interest right after interviewing with a school, only to tie yourself to one when others could invite you to later cycle interviews and potentially offer you a spot. If the school that received the letter of intent then accepted you later, you’ve placed yourself in an awkward and potentially unprofessional spot.
The most ideal time to send a letter of intent is approximately one month after your interview date, but no later than February or March of your admissions cycle (depending on when you interviewed).
Waiting gives all sides time to work through the respective options. It is OK to send more than one, provided you’ve given yourself a few months between the first and second letters. The risk of sending a letter of intent too early could result in it having the opposite effect of its intended impact. Patience is critical in these scenarios.
Sign up to get expert tips and exclusive invites to free MCAT classes and medical school admissions workshops!
What Does a Strong Letter of Intent Contain?
Each time you communicate with a medical school is an opportunity to show them who you are and what you represent. You want to showcase the best, most well-rounded version of yourself. Strong letters of intent are free of any structural, grammatical, and spelling errors. Here are a few helpful considerations to include in your letter:
- Thank the school for their interest in you and the opportunity to interview with the program.
- Make it clear that their medical school is your top choice and, if admitted, you would immediately accept the offer.
- Provide any updates about your application since your last communication with them (this could be experiences, grades, and/or anything else that would enhance your status).
- Take another opportunity to demonstrate how you align with their mission, values, and program.
Lastly, do your best to keep this to one page in length. Be brief, yet intentional, in each word you use. It is also important to remember the guidelines to follow regarding expectations before sending your letter out to the school.
Why Can I Only Send a Letter of Intent to One School?
I previously mentioned the potential risks of sending a letter of intent too early and how that can lead to difficulty for applicants. Another main reason stems from the entire purpose of the letter of intent.
In this scenario, you are making it abundantly clear that school is your top choice, meaning there can only be one top choice. If you sent multiple letters and were accepted to programs you sent the letters to (more than one), you are in an unprofessional and awkward position when you end up declining.
The road to becoming a physician is a path of honor and respect for the field, community, and the process. Every component of your path, seen or unseen, serves as a chance to show your respect for your future profession.
Final Thoughts
We have highlighted all of the important steps and considerations for crafting your letter of intent for medical school. Now, you are ready to send yours out to make another lasting impression on your top program! Remember, words can be powerful, so apply them wisely and be intentional in your approach. This may be your last chance for the cycle to show why they should consider you over anyone else in a similar position. Good luck out there and remember, Blueprint is here to support you every step of the way.
No matter where you are in your premed journey, Blueprint MCAT is here to help when you’re ready to take the MCAT. Whether you need the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, the instruction of a Live Course, or 1:1 assistance of a private MCAT tutor, Blueprint MCAT has the MCAT prep option that works for your learning style!
Get started with a free MCAT diagnostic, one free practice exam, and tons more MCAT prep resources.
