Letter of intent for medical school 2024 (guide + free examples)

A letter of intent for medical school is a short document that you write to tell the medical school admission committee that their school is your first choice and that you will definitely accept an offer to attend if they give you one.

Did you know that the average medical school acceptance rate is only 5.5%?

Whaaaaat?

5.5%?

Yes only 5.5%

And I have seen that acceptance rates continue to fall as the number of medical school applicants grows each year (approximately grow by more than 18%)

Especially at highly regarded or competitive medical schools.

If you really want to join a medical school, especially the esteemed one, something like Harvard, you have to do something EXTRA to get ahead of competition.

To MAXIMIZE your admission chance, you require some tools, and a strong letter of intent is an excellent tool, in addition to strong recommendation letters.

What the heck is a letter of intent for medical school.?

Relax

A letter of intent for medical school is a piece of paper that will help you inform the medical school that it is unequivocally your top choice and that you will surely accept an offer of admission.

It’s like

Dear admission committee

I express my strong desire to enroll in your medical school due to your perceived compatibility with its academic program, student body, cultural makeup, and blah blah…..

To help you get the most out of it, here I will guide you through;

• What is a letter of intent for medical school?
• Do letters of intent work for medical school?
• When to send a letter of intent to medical school?
• Things to consider before writing a letter of intent for medical school
• How to write a stronger letter of intent for medical school
• letter of intent for medical school example
• How should I send my letter of intent for medical school?
• Will a letter of intent guarantee me a spot in my top-choice school?
• etc.

Let’s get started

Read also: Letter of intent for graduate school (guide + free samples)

What is a letter of intent for medical school?

A letter of intent for medical school is a brief statement of facts written by an applicant to the medical school admission committee to inform that their school is unequivocally his top choice and that he will surely accept an offer of admission.

You can use this letter to express your strong preference for attending a certain medical school after an interview and provide an update on your submitted application materials.

Please note that you should address a letter of intent for medical school to only one school: your Top Choice.

If you wish to send something to multiple schools, consider a letter of interest instead.

Writing a letter of intent after interviewing at your top choice school demonstrates to the school that you are a dedicated and enthusiastic candidate.

Key Takeaway: A letter of intent for medical school is a short statement that shows your strong preference for attending a particular school. You should send a short letter of intent to your top choice medical school to express your strong preference for attending that specific school.

Do letters of intent work for medical school?

Probably this was your first question soon after finding this post and even before committing to reading it in full.

In short, YES letters of intent works for medical school.

In fact, Letters of intent can effectively contribute to your medical school admission process.

The admissions committee at a medical school will seek various information about you, including your academic and personal accomplishments, your drive for pursuing a career in medicine, and your goals for the future.

And the letter of intent allows you to provide the admissions committee with a better understanding of who you are and why you want to join the school.

Additionally, it can help the admissions committee to perceive the strength of your desire to attend and how you could fit into their program, as well as contribute to their medical school community.

A well-written and thoughtful letter of intent can increase your chances of being accepted to your top-choice medical school and help you stand out from the competition.

When writing your letter of intent for medical school, you should show enthusiasm for the program you’re applying to.

That is very important.

As it will demonstrate to the admissions committee that you’re passionate about pursuing a career in medicine and committed to attending their school.

It’s essential to be genuine when expressing your enthusiasm, as the admissions committee can often tell when applicants are insincere.

Key takeaway: Writing letters of intent for medical school can increase your chances of being accepted to your top-choice school. You can express your enthusiasm for the program and demonstrate your commitment to attending their school. When writing your letter of intent, it’s important to be genuine.

When to send a letter of intent to medical school?

You should send a letter of intent to medical school approximately one month after your interviews, particularly if you find yourself on a medical school waitlist.

It’s acceptable to write a letter of intent even if you haven’t been waitlisted.

Waiting before sending a letter of intent is important to demonstrate that you have carefully considered your decision.

If you send the letter too early, it may appear that you are making a hasty decision without fully evaluating your options.

The admissions committee may perceive you as immature if you do this.

Send a letter of intent only after the school has interviewed you, and do not send one if you haven’t been invited for an interview.

If you haven’t been interviewed yet, a letter of intent from you will not come across as genuine.

I recommend that you write your letter of intent after the busiest admissions season, especially if you have been interviewed by several schools.

This will show that you have evaluated all of your options and are confident that THIS SCHOOL is the best fit for you.

By declaring your TopChoice intentions to the admission committee, you demonstrate that you have carefully considered your options and that you will bring enthusiasm to their program and campus community.

Key Takeaway: The best time to send your letter of intent is after being interviewed regardless you are waitlisted or not.

Things to consider before writing a letter of intent for medical school

The following are the important things to consider before writing your letter of intent if you want to boost your chance of being admitted.

Choose only single school

All the pre and post-interview application processes allowed you to do the ‘school shopping‘ (I took it from ‘window shopping’.)

From this moment you are able to tell which is the best school based on what you observed during an interview.

Technically the interview is your reconnaissance of different schools.

After that, you should be able to select your TopChoice.

I can’t emphasize this enough: You should not send letters of intent to multiple schools only a single school can be your top choice.

It is not ethical or honest to tell multiple schools that they are your “top choice,” as this can create confusion and awkwardness if you are offered admission to more than one school.

Remember, a letter of intent is not a legally binding agreement, but it is a promise to the admissions committee that you are serious about attending their school.

It is important to uphold your end of the bargain and follow through on your commitment to attend the school if you are offered admission.

REMEMBER: it is possible to be admitted to the school that you did not even bother to send an intent letter and vice versa is TRUE. You better be ready for a SURPRISE.

Key Takeaway: Only one school can be your Top choice. Choose it and send your letter, forget about everything else.

Check if the school accepts a letter of intent

Now you have made your choice. ‘ABC Medical school is my choice, it really meant for me’.

Nice!

But before writing your letter of intent you make your TopChoice accepts it.

If they do proceed to write your letter (you will learn how you can do it effectively in the next section of this post)

But If a medical school states that they don’t accept letters of intent don’t dare to send one.

It is important to follow the instructions provided by the medical school regarding letters of intent.

Disregarding these instructions can hurt your application and will not give you an advantage.

However, sometimes a school may not have a specific policy on letters of intent. In this case, it is a good idea to call the admissions office and ask about their expectations for letters of intent.

Asking for clarification can help ensure that you are providing the admissions committee with the information they need to make a decision about your application.

Key takeaway: Check if your Top Choice accepts a letter of intent before bothering to send yours.

Gather important details

To ensure effectiveness, your letter of intent must include all necessary details that demonstrate your eagerness to join TopChoice and why they should accept you.

To avoid writing a shallow and boring letter, ensure you gather all necessary information, including supporting documents, before writing it.

This approach will save you time and help you craft a strong letter of intent that will capture the attention of the admissions committee.

But Isack, what important details should I gather?

Look, Amigo!

You have to gather important details concerning the school and your career.

Concerning the school you should have;

• Programs
• The school achievements
• Students body
• School Vision and Mission
• Culture
• etc.

It’s not enough to gather those details – you need to think about and demonstrate how they align with your background, achievements, or expectations in your letter of intent.

Key takeaway: Gathering important details will help you come up with a very effective letter.

Remember the best things during the interview

To write your letter of intent in the most creative way possible, include the best moments from your interview, whether they occurred before, during, or after the interview.

Don’t include everything, but the following may help

• The person you have met and how they sparkle your interest to join the school. For example, you may say something like;
  • After an interview, I reached out to Dr. Kane from the Primary Care department. He showed interest in my research and shared her own findings. The conversation and insight into the school’s research facilities convinced me to accept admission to the program if offered and blah! blah! (This is just an example. for a details version you may check the sample letter below.)
• How you have seen the school facilities
• The nature of the question asked and their impact on your career.
• How you observed the school community and your plans to be useful to it.
• etc.

In short, you have to be as creative as you can so that you can come up with something great.

Key takeaway: Adding the best thing that happened during the interview to your letter will make it more convincing.

How to write a stronger letter of intent for medical school

A letter of intent for medical school is written in a business letter format. Start with your address and contact information, followed by a date and the school’s address, and state that you are writing to express that the school is your 1st choice. Show why the school is your first choice and why they should admit you.

REMEMBER the aim of your letter of intent is to clearly express your strong intention to attend your #1 choice medical school.

Here is how you can achieve that

• Provide your name, address, and contact information
• Include the date of the letter
• Include the school name and address
• Tailoring your letter to the specific program you are applying to, highlighting why you are interested in attending their school and how your background and experiences align with their mission and values.
• Clearly articulating your goals and interests in pursuing a career in medicine, discussing any relevant experiences you have had and how they have prepared you for a career in healthcare.
• Including any new information or updates about your application that may not have been included in your original application. This can include recent accomplishments, promotions, or additional coursework relevant to your field of study.
• showcase your passion and enthusiasm for the field of medicine
• Attach necessary documentations
• Maintain a professional tone
• Be straightforward
• Be honest

Letter of intent for medical school example

Dear ABC School of Medicine Admission Committee

[First paragraph: state that the school is your Top choice]

for example

I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in joining the ABC School of Medicine as a member of your incoming class. As a current waitlisted applicant, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share my passion for medicine and the reasons why ABC is my top choice for medical school.

[Body Paragraphs: say what happens during the interview phase, and provide updated information, including recent accomplishments, promotions, or additional information relevant to your field of study]

for example

After my interview day at ABC, I spoke with ABC alumni Dr. Amon Key about his experiences at the school. His enthusiasm for the ABC community and its values of compassion, innovation, healing, service, and respect fueled my desire to become a part of it. In addition, Dr. Anne Campbell, Head of the Research Department at ABC, talked to me about the complex spinal cord conditions being treated at ABC’s neurology clinics, which solidified my interest in conducting research specific to these diseases.

On November 20, I had an interview and since then, I completed Booth Fundamentals, a 6-month certificate program on foundational business concepts from ABC’s School of Business, where I achieved the highest possible grade of High Honors. The program provided me with valuable experience in taking on the role of a business leader and solving case studies related to various organizations. I am enthusiastic about exploring the intersection of business and healthcare through your School’s Medical Entrepreneurship program and collaborating with ABC companies on innovative healthcare projects.

As a member of the American Heart Association, I have tirelessly worked to advocate for legislation that improves access to affordable healthcare and healthy food options for those living in underserved communities. Additionally, my passion for policy led me to collaborate with a local U.S. Senator to reform the handling of child abuse cases. As a result, we successfully passed Article 0001 on January 20, which ensures that all cases of alleged abuse in Virginia receive a response within 24 hours.

[Closing Paragraphs: showcase your enthusiasm for the field of medicine and passion for joining the School, say that you will accept the admission when offered, provide contact information, and say Thank you]

for example

I am confident that ABC School of Medicine will help me develop the skills I need to become a physician leader. The school offers an impressive range of policy courses, including one taught by Dr. Anne Campbell, which will provide me with the knowledge and experience necessary to make a positive impact in the field.

I respectfully request your consideration for admission to ABC. If you accept me, I will happily accept the offer. Please feel free to contact me at myname@email.com if you have any questions or require additional information. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

Jane Kane

Letter of intent for medical school pdf

How should I send my letter of intent for medical school?

There are several options available for sending your letter of intent for medical school, including the following:

Email

It is best to send your letter of intent for medical school through email, as this will ensure that it is received promptly and can easily be shared with the admissions committee.

In the email, you should include the letter as an attachment and write a brief message introducing yourself and explaining why you are sending the letter.

Be sure to include the subject line “Letter of Intent for ABC Medical School” and to address the email to the appropriate admissions contact, if known.

It is also a good idea to follow up with a phone call or additional email to confirm that your letter has been received and to reiterate your intention in attending the school.

Mail

In addition to email, you can also send your letter of intent for medical school by mail.

This may be a good option if you prefer to have a physical copy of your letter or if you are unable to send the letter electronically.

To send your letter by mail, you should address it to the admissions office at the medical school and include a brief cover letter introducing yourself and explaining why you are sending the letter.

It is also a good idea to include your contact information, such as your phone number and email address, in case the admissions office needs to reach you.

In-person delivery

Another option for sending your letter of intent for medical school is to deliver it in person.

This may be a good option if you are able to visit the campus or if you are attending an admissions event, such as an open house or information session.

To deliver your letter in person, you should first make an appointment with the admissions office or the admissions representative who will be attending the event.

During your visit, you can introduce yourself and explain why you are interested in attending the school, and then you can hand over your letter of intent.

This approach allows you to make a personal connection with the admissions staff and demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to attending the school.

REMEMBER

Those are the main options for sending your letter of intent for medical school.

However, there may be other ways to submit your letter, depending on the specific requirements of the schools you are applying to and the preferences of the admissions staff.

For example, some schools may allow you to submit your letter through an online portal or a form on their website.

It is important to carefully review the instructions for each school and to follow their guidelines for submitting your letter of intent.

This will ensure that your letter is received and reviewed by the admissions committee in the most appropriate way.

Key Takeaway: You may send your letter through email, mail, the school’s online portal, or in-person delivery. The actual mode will depend on school preferences.

Will a letter of intent guarantee me a spot in my top-choice school?

A letter of intent does not guarantee admission to your top-choice medical school.

Here is why

Admissions decisions are based on a variety of factors, including your academic record, test scores, extracurricular activities, and other personal characteristics.

Your letter of intent is just one part of your overall application, and it is not considered in isolation.

Instead, it is reviewed alongside your other application materials to provide additional information about your background, interests, and goals.

While a strong letter of intent can help to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to attending the school, it is not a guarantee of admission.

Key takeaway: A letter of intent can’t guarantee admission to your top-choice medical school but it may complement it.

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