| A medical school letter of intent is a notice to an | | | | make clear your zeal. (Remember: The institution |
| institution explicitly stating one's continued interest | | | | may yet be your first choices if it turns out you |
| in the school. An applicant might write a letter of | | | | have no other options!) |
| intent after interviewing or in response to a | | | | � |
| waitlist notification. Why write a letter of intent? | | | | Finally, consider working with a professional |
| Medical school admissions have become | | | | medical school admissions consultant who can |
| increasingly competitive of late – especially in | | | | substantially improve your letter of intent. Medical |
| this weaker economy. Competitive applicants who | | | | school admissions consulting companies come in a |
| would have considered business or law school are | | | | variety of forms. Some are bigger businesses |
| now recognizing the stability of a medical career. | | | | that focus on admissions to several types of |
| The bottom line: The number of medical school | | | | graduate programs – not just medicine. |
| applications has again increased this year. | | | | Others are smaller and provide a medical focus, |
| � | | | | but have a pool of consultants of varying quality. |
| Here are some tips for writing a noteworthy | | | | Finally, elite companies offer both the medical |
| letter of intent: | | | | focus and a highly experienced consultant who |
| � | | | | works one-on-one with clients. These |
| 1. | | | | professionals are ex-admissions officers from |
| Keep it brief. Do not write more than one page. | | | | highly respected medical institutions. They have |
| 2. | | | | the inside knowledge of how medical admissions |
| Write in a formal style with proper syntax, | | | | work, providing individualized guidance to optimize |
| format, organization, grammar and spelling. | | | | applicants' personal statements, medical school |
| 3. | | | | application and interview skills. |
| Focus on your fit with the institution, rather than | | | | � |
| using bland platitudes about the school. Be specific | | | | When choosing a medical school admissions |
| about what you saw and liked during your | | | | consulting company, a candidate should verify the |
| interview day. | | | | company's references and research its |
| 4. | | | | consultants. It is best if the company does not |
| Reiterate what makes you a distinctive candidate. | | | | assign written materials to outside editors who |
| Highlight your accomplishments to distinguish | | | | cannot be evaluated. Elite companies that offer |
| yourself. This section will be the most important | | | | both the medical focus and a highly experienced |
| part of the letter. | | | | consultant who works one-on-one with clients |
| 5. | | | | offer a large advantage for pre-medical applicants, |
| Be explicit about your enthusiasm. If the school is | | | | especially during these competitive times. |
| your first choice say so. If not, you should still | | | | |