Letters of Intent/Update Letters: When to send

Letters of Intent/Update Letters: When to send letter of intent medical school. Letters of intent are important documents that, if crafted thoughtfully and with care, can have a positive impact on your application to your dream medical school. Although update letters might connect your recent activities to the schools’ mission or opportunities, the primary function is to keep medical schools informed about major accomplishments, involvements, and professional development experiences that they wouldn’t have seen in your primary or secondary application. It shows medical schools that you’re dedicated to self-improvement and a growth mindset.  

What is a Letters of interest?

This is a heartfelt and sincere letter that focuses on exactly why the school is a perfect fit for you. You typically send this letter only after you’ve sent an update letter and still haven’t heard back from the school. It should include direct connections between your values, experiences, and goals and the school’s mission, opportunities, and programs. 

What is a Medical School Letter of Intent?

A letter of intent tells a medical school that you will matriculate into their program if they accept you. This is beneficial for schools because they want to offer acceptances to students who will actually attend, as opposed to being strung along by students who are undecided/have no intention of matriculating into their program.

When Should You Send a Letter of Interest/Intent to a Medical School?

The main difference between these letters is that a letter of intent is only sent out after the interview. You should wait at least four weeks after your interview to send a letter of intent. Letters of interest, on the other hand, can be sent as soon as six weeks after you’ve applied to a school if haven’t heard back regarding an interview.

Should I send a Letter of Intent?

It is wise to send a letter of intent if you are on the waitlist but, again, only if that school has indicated they are open to receiving further correspondence from applicants. A letter of intent is not appropriate in any other situation. The goal of a letter of intent is to let the school know they are your dream school and that you definitely will attend if accepted off of the waitlist. You should reiterate why the school is a great fit for you and, if applicable, you can provide an update on any significant new developments in your preparation. If you have been interviewed/accepted at other schools, you may want to include that information in your Letter of Intent.

Please be aware that some admissions offices maintain a ranked waitlist; for those schools, a letter of intent will not change your place on the waitlist. Other schools use discretion in determining whom is selected from the waitlist; for these schools, a letter of intent may make a positive difference.

What Should be Included in a Letter of Intent/Interest?

• A clear statement of your intent to attend the school if admitted
• Updates on your activities since you last communicated with the school.
• An expression of gratitude to the school for considering your application
• Things you appreciate about the school based on your interview day and personal research.
• Explanation of how your updates and experiences align with the school’s mission and specific offerings.
• A second expression of gratitude for considering your application
• What you will contribute to the school’s diversity and student body.

Is A Letter Of Intent The Same As A Letter Of Interest?

No. The letter of intent and letter of interest’s main difference is the number of schools you can send them to. While the letter of intent can only be sent to your top choice school, you can send the letter of interest to as many schools you are interested in.

When is it appropriate to send an Update Letter?

Update letters are appropriate only under the following conditions:

The school has indicated they are open to receiving additional correspondence beyond the supplemental application. (If a school indicated they are not interested in receiving additional correspondence, you will harm your candidacy by choosing not to follow directions. Instead, simply wait out the application cycle.)

You have not yet been invited for an interview or you have completed an interview. If you have an interview coming up, do not send an update letter; simply tell your interviewers about your new activities when you meet them in person.

Since sending in your supplemental application, you have become deeply involved in a new activity that addresses a clear area of weakness in your original application. If you aren’t sure if your new activity falls into this category, ask yourself the following questions:

• Have you gained new perspective on the school and your fit for it (from interview day and/or talking with people affiliated with that school)? If so, include these new insights in your update letter.
• Have you taken a new direction with your clinical work and gained meaningful new insights? Have you received a major award? Have you had a research article published in a peer-reviewed journal? These experiences are probably worthy of an update at schools that will accept them.
• Is your new activity simply the next logical step in a series of experiences where you have already demonstrated strength? If so, that’s going to be taken for granted and won’t be seen as a reason for the admissions committee to take special notice. In this situation, an update probably is not warranted.

When Should I send a Letter of Interest?

1. After an interview

The way to send a “Letter of Interest” is to send a Thank You message after each interview. Aim to send your Thank You messages at the end of your interview day.

When writing a post-interview Thank You letter 

Follow directions:

• If you were directed to send Thank You messages directly to your interviewers, then we recommend sending an additional Thank You message (to serve as your “Letter of Interest”) to the Office of Admissions (or to upload it to your Applicant Portal), but only if the admissions team has indicated that they are open to receiving direct correspondence from applicants.
• If you were directed to send your Thank You letter directly to the Office of Admissions (or to upload it to your Applicant Portal), then this message will be considered your “Letter of Interest.”

Topics to include in your Thank You letter/Letter of Interest.

• Thank them for considering your application and for offering you the opportunity to interview at their school. Include the date of your interview.
• Tell them why you are excited about their program. Be specific! Potential topics include:
  • Special programs or opportunities available at that school that are a wonderful match your professional interests
    
  • How their approach to the curriculum is a great fit for your preferred learning style
  • Ways in which you appreciated the students and faculty you met at the school
  • . . . And, if you mention the location, do so in a secondary way. Your primary focus should be on the school, not its location. 
• If you can include any specific noteworthy details from your interview conversations, that will help the interviewers remember their conversation with you.
  
• If you were asked a question that stumped you, provide a thoughtful, organized response in writing.
  

2. Before being offered an interview

Most schools are NOT interested in receiving a Letter of Interest before they have decided to interview you. Some schools are open to receiving a Letter of Interest; contact the Admissions Office to ask if they would be open to receiving such a letter.

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