Not sure how to write a medical school letter of intent? While a letter of intent is not a formal medical school requirement, I’ve seen it give applicants a real edge, especially after interviews or while on a waitlist. In this guide, I break down exactly what to include, when to send it, and how to write a letter that admissions committees take seriously. You’ll find expert insights, strong sample letters, a clear step-by-step writing checklist, and answers to the most common questions so you can use your letter of intent strategically, not guess your way through it.
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What Is A Medical School Letter of Intent?
This is a brief, one page letter sent to only one school: your top choice.
A medical school letter of intent is a document that specifically states that you will accept an offer of admission to a particular school, if one is extended, over and above any other schools to which you’ve applied or at which you’ve interviewed (or even accepted).
If you’ve interviewed at a school that is truly your #1 choice, writing a letter of this kind allows you to show the school that you are a serious and enthusiastic candidate. Typically, this type of document is prepared and drafted if you had your interview 1-2 months prior and haven’t heard back or you have been waitlisted.
With the challenges presented by medical school acceptance rates, every student wants to maximize their chances of admission. A medical school letter of intent is a key tool for doing precisely that, especially after you have already applied broadly, including to schools that don't require MCAT if relevant to your profile.
Not sure what to include in your letter of intent? Let’s dive into what you can and should not include in your letter of intent!
Medical School Letter of Intent Samples
The following medical school letter of intent samples are effective because they clearly communicate commitment, demonstrate strong program fit, and provide meaningful application updates. Each example shows how to personalize a letter without repeating the primary application or sounding generic.
How to Write a Strong Medical School Letter of Intent
1. Tone and Address
The letter of intent should be a well-thought-out, formal letter. You must ensure your letter is grammatically impeccable, that you’ve spelled everyone’s names correctly, and that it is a polished, final product before sending it off. It must also be concise and backed by reasoning. If you’re currently enrolled in a premed undergraduate program, consider reaching out to your school’s Writing Center for assistance in ensuring your letter is as clear, precise, and direct as possible. If you’re not currently enrolled as a student, consider calling a local public library, as some may have services that can help you perfect your letter. You can also use our essay review and medical school consultation service to help you develop a high-quality letter.
Your letter should be addressed to the Dean of Admissions or Director of Admissions; you’ll need to look this information up to ensure your letter is addressed appropriately and sent to the correct address. Schools may have a portal for communications or separate email addresses for letters of intent and others, such as thank you letters after a medical school interview, so be sure to confirm the correct one.
Your letter of intent needs to be addressed to the individual making the admissions decision. Avoid starting your letter with “Dear Admissions Committee,” as this is too impersonal. If you can’t find a specific name online, you can call or email the school to find out to whom you can address the letter.
2. Length and Structure
Your letter of intent should be a maximum of one page (typically this means no more than 500-600 words) and should follow the formal structure of a proper letter. Do not send a letter that spans multiple pages. Remember, the person to whom you are writing has hundreds of other duties, and, in a sense, you are asking a favor by sending the letter.
3. Additional Details
Unless you are required to use the school’s application portal, you can usually type your message into an email or attach the letter as a PDF. Don’t use a specialized format – ensure it’s an attachment type anyone can open.
In our experience, using a PDF is the safest bet, and this will ensure your formatting stays exactly the way you want it. The email subject line should be your full name followed by “Letter of Intent.” In your letter, ensure you include the date of your interview, and – if possible – the name(s) of those with whom you interviewed (this won’t be possible with a multiple mini interview or some types of panel interview).
Finally, if an advisor, professor, research supervisor, etc., is willing to write or call to emphasize your “good fit” for the school, that is also helpful and usually welcomed.
Here's a guide to writing letters of intent for medical school!
Do's and Don’ts for Your Medical School Letter of Intent
- Do: Proofread your document
Your medical school letter of intent is designed to express your commitment to the school. You will need to use formal language to sound professional and trustworthy. Check your letter of intent for correct grammar, and be sure to proofread it several times before you submit it. It can help to have an expert read it over for you; they can sometimes catch grammatical errors or make suggestions on what you should revise.
- Do: Show enthusiasm
To show that you’re committed to the school, you need to show enthusiasm. Use a positive, eager tone when you discuss what excites you about the program you’re hoping to join. Using evidence from your employment, volunteering, and extracurricular history, show that your goals and values align with the school’s.
- Do: Provide adequate detail
Simply stating that the school is your top choice isn’t enough. You must provide detail that supports your belief that its program is right for you. Talk specifically about what you admire about the school and the values they espouse that fit you well. You may reference the school’s mission or certain aspects of their curriculum.
- Do: Illustrate who you are
Your letter of intent is a formal, professional document that should enclose your reason for making a written commitment to a school. This means you need to use an objective, straightforward tone to convince the admissions committee that you’re a dedicated candidate. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t reveal your personality – discuss your personal and professional experiences to convey individuality and passion.
- Don't: Repeat information
You should avoid mentioning anything you’ve already sufficiently covered in other parts of your application, like your personal statement and secondary essays, to avoid repetition. Your goal should be to accentuate pertinent details, specifically in terms of updates to your candidate profile.
- Don't: Ingratiate
You aren’t begging for an acceptance in your letter of intent; these letters are designed to communicate your priorities, goals, and preferences as they relate to program choices. While your letter should be persuasive, you should let your experiences and objective facts about your profile do the convincing. Show enthusiasm, but don’t overdo it.
- Don't: Send to more than one school
This has been said elsewhere, but to really drive this point home, we have to say it again: do not send a letter of intent to more than one school. This contradicts the purpose of this document, which is to say that regardless of where else you might get accepted, you will choose their program if they extend an offer.
- Don't: Use more space than necessary
Get straight to the point: state your enduring interest in the program and why you’re committed to taking their offer of acceptance if they extend one. Stick to the paragraph format outlined above and don’t exceed a page. If you go over that preferred limit, it’s a good indication that you have some revision to do.
Letter of Intent vs Letter of Interest: What Are The Differences?
A medical school letter of intent and a letter of interest are both accepted ways of communicating your continued interest in a medical school, after you have submitted your primary application.
There is a lot of overlap in terms of what is included in each of these letters. If you’ve applied to multiple schools, you may consider sending a letter of interest to your top few choices. However, sending a letter of intent to one school means you’ve concretely decided on ONE program.
Whether you’ve confidently chosen one school as your go-to, or you’re applying to multiple programs and planning on making a decision later, there are some key differences between the two letters that every medical school applicant should know.
When Should You Write a Medical School Letter of Intent?
A medical school letter of intent should be written toward the end of the application cycle, typically about 1–2 months after your interviews. It is most commonly sent if you’ve been placed on a waitlist at your top-choice school, though you can also send one even if you haven’t been waitlisted.
Because a letter of intent declares that a school is your number-one choice, it must be sincere and clearly justified. Instead of focusing on acceptance rates or test score thresholds, your letter should explain why this specific program is the best fit for your goals and what you uniquely bring to the school.
We can't emphasize this enough: you should not send letters of intent to multiple schools.
Medical schools want students who are eager to attend, and expressing your enthusiasm and the priority you assign their specific program can go a long way, but it must be genuine. You cannot tell all the schools to which you apply that they are your “top choice.” Not only is this dishonest and unethical, but it will also make for a good deal of awkwardness if you are given multiple offers.
Our own expert, Dr. Sara Kleeb summarizes the ‘need to knows’ of your medical school letter of intent perfectly:
“Your letter of intent must only be sent to your top choice program. It is meant to be sincere, and the reasoning behind it must be concise. It is sent later on in the admissions season, after you’ve interviewed at multiple schools. This way, you can legitimately show that you’ve considered all the options available.”
A letter of intent isn’t a legally binding agreement, but it is a promise, and you must demonstrate integrity and keep your word. This speaks a lot to your morals, trustworthiness, intrapersonal skills and intelligence, and your overall character, all of which are taken into account in the medical field.
When Should You NOT Send a Letter of Intent?
It may go without saying, but if the school does NOT wish to receive ongoing communication or updates from applicants, then do not send a letter of intent. We recommend that you go through your past communications with the school, as well as any emails they’ve sent you, to see if there is anything indicating they do not want such letters.
This is generally rare; most schools are open to receiving updates, but you need to make sure that this is the case to avoid making a faux pas.
1. When should I send my medical school letter of intent?
It's best to send your letter of intent approximately a month after your interview. You want to be able to show the Dean of Admissions that you have taken the time to really consider your options, and even though you may have interviewed elsewhere, you are still selecting their school as your number-one choice.
2. Why can’t I send my med school letter of intent right after my interview?
Please note that schools do want to see that you have actually thought through which school is your number-one choice. Sending this right after your interview may show that you are being hasty and not really reflecting on the other schools you applied to and interviewed at. So, don’t feel you have to rush and send this in immediately after your interview; rather, really take the time and ask yourself what your number-one choice is and why.
3. How should I send my medical school letter of intent?
Whether you are applying to DO or MD schools, you can email your letter of intent to the Director or Dean of Admissions. In some cases, schools may provide a portal for students to upload their letters instead. Ensure that you check program requirements beforehand. Don’t just send it to info, as it may get lost in the countless emails a school receives every day; take your time to ensure you are sending it to the correct person.
4. Are there situations where it is not acceptable to send a letter of intent to med schools?
Yes, first, you should only be sending one letter of intent to your top-choice school. If at the end of the interview season you're not really sure which school you want to attend most, then it's better to not send a letter to any school. Most importantly, do not send multiple letters of intent.
Second, it's important that you check your school's requirements before you decide to send a letter of intent. While most schools accept letters of intent, some schools do not wish to be contacted at all after the interview season. In this case, you must follow the school's instructions by refraining from sending any correspondence.
5. What is so bad about sending a letter of intent to multiple medical schools?
Everything you do as a medical school applicant will reveal who you are as a person, and whether you're suited to becoming a doctor. Sending a letter of intent to multiple schools is both dishonest and unethical – remember you are giving your word that you will attend a program if you are accepted. Lying in any part of your application materials completely ruins your credibility, integrity, and trustworthiness. Plus, you never know which admissions committee members or deans are connected and may find out what you did. Even if you're not caught, what will you do if you receive multiple offers of admission and don't uphold your promise to attend these schools? Take our strong advice here; do not send multiple letters of intent!
6. Will a letter of intent guarantee me a spot in my top choice medical school?
Unfortunately, no, but it can certainly improve your chances of admission, and isn't it important to do anything you can to improve your chances? The purpose of a medical school letter of intent is to let your top-choice school know that they're your top choice and that you will therefore attend their school if given the opportunity.
It's very difficult for medical schools to determine which candidates will accept their offers of acceptance and which will not. Sometimes, even by accepting waitlisted applicants, schools are left with spots unfilled for this very reason. So, sending a letter of intent may give you a competitive edge over other applicants because you're letting a school know that if accepted, you're a guaranteed student in their entering class.
7. Can I send a letter of intent if I haven't been waitlisted?
Of course! Medical school letters of intent are not only suitable to send if you're on a waitlist, but they can also be sent after your interviews, even before you have received a response regarding admission.
8. I was just about to send a letter of intent and received a rejection. What should I do now?
This can be upsetting, but receiving rejections is a normal part of the application process. First, scrap the draft you were about to send. If you have already received a rejection, you should not send a letter of intent to that school. Instead, you can follow up with the admissions office and seek feedback on why you did not get accepted; some schools provide written or verbal feedback, while others do not.
Next, take the time to think through the other schools you have interviewed at and which would be your first-choice program now; re-draft a letter of intent to that program and send it in a timely manner.
To your success,
Your friends at BeMo
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