Letter of Intent for Medical School

What a Letter of Intent for Medical School Is

This letter tells a school that you want to join its class and explains why. You write it after the interview and address it to the school admissions office. It reminds the admissions team who you are, shows how you fit, and updates them on what you have done since you met.

Schools like to hear from applicants who truly want to attend, so a specific and honest letter can help your file stand out. Letters of intent are short, about one page. They are often written when you are on a waitlist and have not received an acceptance or a clear answer yet.

What to Include in Your Letter

The letter covers the six points below, in this order. Keep each point to a few sentences so the letter fits on one page and is quick for the admissions team to read.

1. Thanks to the admissions team for reviewing your application
2. The school’s mission, programs and goals that match your own interests
3. A clear statement that you want to attend this school if you are admitted
4. New experiences and activities since your last interview, and how they connect to the school’s mission and programs
5. The contribution you can make to the school’s academic community
6. A second thank-you for reviewing your application

5 Tips on How to Write an Effective Letter of Intent for Medical School

The main goal of a letter of intent is to tell the school, at the end of the interview season, that it is your number-one choice. Keep these five tips in mind while you write.

1. Show how you match the school’s curriculum, programs, academic environment and mission.
2. Show what you can contribute to the school if you are admitted.
3. Send a letter of intent at least a month after your interview. Doing it right after the interview will most likely show that you are desperate, anxious, or premature. If there is no response to this letter, you might send another letter of intent approximately two months after your first one (especially if you have new experiences and activities you would want to share in the letter).
4. Don’t send a letter of intent to several medical schools simultaneously. The main goal of the letter is to indicate that a certain school is your top choice, and it would be logical to assume that you have only one “top” choice. A letter of intent is not a legally binding document, but if several schools would decide to admit you, you would face an awkward situation.
5. Keep the letter to one page. A few sentences will feel rushed, and two or more pages will be tiring to read.

How to Fill Out Your Letter

Follow these six steps to write your letter. Each step is one short part of the letter, so write them one at a time, then read the whole letter aloud before you send it.

1. Opening. Address the letter to the Dean of Admissions or the Director of Admissions at your school, and use their name if you can. To find it, search the school’s website or call the admissions office. Avoid “To whom it may concern.”
2. Your name and the purpose of the letter. Say who you are and why you are writing. Mention the date of your interview and thank the admissions team for considering you. Then explain why you want to study at this specific school.
3. Reasons for choosing the school. Explain how you came to know this is the right school for you. It might be something you learned at the interview, your own research into the school, or a talk with a current student.
4. Updates on your activities. Share what you have done since the interview. The school already knows your goals and interests, so show that you keep working toward them. Good examples are work, relevant projects or public service that connect to the school’s mission and research.
5. Possible contributions. Describe how you can add to the school’s diversity through your experience, knowledge and personal skills. Say clearly that you would accept an offer of admission and that you want to be part of the school community.
6. Closing. Say that the school can reach you by email if it has questions. Thank the admissions team again for reviewing your application, and end with “Sincerely” and your name.

Letter of Intent, Letter of Interest and Update Letter

Applicants and advisers use several names for the letters that schools receive after an interview, and the names are not always used the same way. These are the most common meanings, so you can pick the letter that fits your situation.

• Letter of intent: says that one school is your first choice and that you would attend if you are admitted.
• Letter of interest: shows that you still like a school, without calling it your only choice.
• Update letter: shares new achievements since you applied, such as a project, a new job or a finished course.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Most problems come from rushing or from trying to say too much. A short, calm letter that is specific to one program works better than a long one that could go to anyone.

• Using the same letter for several schools
• Writing right after the interview, or following up again and again
• Repeating your application essay instead of sharing something new
• Using “To whom it may concern” instead of a name
• Asking the school to decide quickly

Sample Letter of Intent

Use this sample letter to see how the six parts fit together on one page. Replace the names, dates and details with your own. Write only about experiences you have really had.

From: Anna Baker
123 Main Street
Springfield, IL 62704

April 4, 2026

To: Dean of Admissions
Lakeview School of Medicine
456 College Avenue
Springfield, IL 62701

Dear Dean of Admissions,

My name is Anna Baker, and I interviewed with your school on March 4, 2026. Thank you for the time you and your team gave me that day. Lakeview School of Medicine is my first choice, and I would accept an offer of admission.

Since the interview, I have volunteered at a community clinic, where I help patients fill in forms and find their way through the visit. That work showed me how much a clear explanation matters. It is the same idea behind your patient communication course.

I also finished a research project on diabetes education and will present the results at a student conference next month. Your focus on community health matches the work I want to do. If I am admitted, I will bring this experience to your community. You can reach me at anna.baker@example.com.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Anna Baker

Notice how the sample letter:

• names the interview date in the first lines
• says plainly that this is the first choice
• shares new activities that connect to the program
• ends with a thank-you and a way to reach the writer

Frequently Asked Questions

General information, not legal or tax advice.

Jennifer M. Settles

Author & Attorney

With over 25 years of experience as a business and transactional attorney, Jennifer has mastered the craft of closing highly successful deals for her clients. Through her wide-ranging expertise in commercial contracts, real estate transactions, M&A and corporate law, Jennifer secures results that are second-to-none.