Medical School Letter of Intent

In 2025, we saw that medical school letters of intent, which express to a medical school that it is the student's first choice, were especially influential. At MedEdits we are always paying attention to admissions trends and observed, similar to the college admissions process, that medical schools are starting to place more value on accepting students who are truly interested in attending and are willing to commit to that. For this reason, writing a powerful and convincing letter of intent is more important that ever if you are waitlisted at a top choice medical school. Below see some common questions we often receive about letters of intent.

Q: What is a medical school letter of intent?

A: A letter of intent is s a letter expressing to top choice medical school that “you are my number one choice and I will attend if accepted.” These letters are written after you have been waitlisted at one of your top choice schools. If you’re accepted to your top choice school you don’t need to write a letter of intent.

Q: When should I write a letter of intent?

You should write a letter of intent after you interview at the medical school and if you are waitlisted. If a medical school explains that they revisit their waitlist multiple times throughout the year, it would behoove you to send the letter of intent as soon as you are absolutely sure that the medical school is your top choice and you will attend if accepted. For most medical schools, however, letters of intent should be sent some time in April as most medical schools start reviewing medical school waitlists after May 1st each year.

Q: Should I write a letter of intent before I interview?

A: Sometimes people ask us, “should I write a letter of intent before I even interview.” The answer is no. It is disingenuous to tell a medical school, before you even interview, that they are your number one choice and if you are accepted you will go there. So remember, only send a medical school letter of intent after your interview and if you are waitlisted.

Q: Should I write a letter of intent as a way to “get in.”

A: Don’t write a letter of intent to a school as a way to try to get in. Only tell a school that they are your number one choice and if you really mean it. Professionalism is key in medical school admissions and you only want to tell a medical school you will attend if you mean it!

Q: Can letters of intent influence a medical school’s decision?

A: Letters of intent can definitely influence a school’s decision. A medical school’s goal is to fill their class with people whom they feel would make a valuable contribution to the school and the medical community. Also the school’s goal is to have people who are enthusiastic about being there. Additionally, as medical schools get closer to their start dates, they want to accept applicants whom they know will attend if accepted.

Q: Are waitlists usually large?

A: Medical schools do not disclose how long their waitlists are. Some medical schools rank their waitlists while others "revisit" the waitlist when seats open up.

Q: What medical schools like to receive letters of intent?

A: Not every medical school will accept a letter of intent so before sending one be clear about the communications the medical school is willing to accept. If a medical school states they will not accept a letter of intent or update letters, follow that direction.

Q: Can a medical school letter of intent really improve my odds of acceptance?

We find that letters of intent make a difference. After people have written persuasive and heartfelt letters of intent to medical schools where they are waitlisted, they’ve been accepted to those schools. This applies to all ranges of schools, from the best schools or most competitive schools in the country, to the least competitive schools. However, all medical schools should be viewed as competitive.

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Medical School Update and Letter of Intent: Do’s and Don’ts

• Do send a letter of intent to to the top choice school where you are waitlisted. This is extremely important.
• Do include updates regarding your accomplishments in your letter of intent.
• Don’t send a medical school letter of intent before an interview.

Want more interviews? Here’s what you can do.

Related Articles:

• How to Get into Stanford Medical School
• How to Get into NYU Medical School

• How To Get Into Columbia Medical School
• How To Get Into UT Southwestern Medical School
• How To Get Into Harvard Medical School

Q: To whom should a medical school letter of intent be addressed?

A: A letter of intent should be addressed to either the dean of admissions or the director of admissions or both. Do not address a letter of intent to the admissions committee. Do your research to find out who’s in charge.

Q: Should the medical school letter of intent be sent as a PDF attachment?

A: We recommend emailing letters of intent as either the body of the email or as a PDF attachment.

Q: What should the subject line be?

A: The subject line should be your name. So for me I would write, Jessica Freedman: Letter of Intent. Also, remember to include the following:

1. Association of American Medical Colleges ID number
2. The date when you interviewed
3. The people whom you interviewed with if the interview format was traditional, one on one. If you had an MMI interview or panel interview listing interviewers would not be possible. If you interviewed with 2-3 people you’d want to include their names in the letter so they can identify you.

Letter of Intent Sample Medical School

Medical School Letter of Intent Example

Dear Dr. XXX,

I am a current applicant at The Awesome Medical School (AMC) and interviewed there on October 25th and received my waitlist notification on December 2nd. I am writing this letter to reiterate that AMC is my top choice for medical school and to update you on my accomplishments since my interview. If accepted, I would withdraw my other medical school applications and attend Awesome Medical School.

AMC will help me achieve my goal to one day become an excellent academic emergency physician. I hope to continue my research with Dr. Smart on the use of the novel new biomarker, C2D, for diagnosing a myocardial infarction. Dr. Smart is currently conducting this research in the emergency department. Additionally, since I have an avid interest in early goal-directed therapy because my grandmother died of sepsis and multiorgan failure two years ago, I look forward to working with AMC's intensive care physicians to learn more about this topic.

With the many hospitals and free clinics that surround AMC, I will also be able to continue my work with helping the underserved. As a medical student, I will strive to be knowledgeable and compassionate and to make a meaningful contribution to the school.

Since my interview, I earned straight As in all my courses. I have also received a prestigious research award at my college. I have helped write a manuscript summarizing my research in the emergency department, which will be submitted for publication. I was named a Sherwood Scholar at my college because of the challenging workload I undertook and the grades I earned. I was also recognized by my peers through a Peer Achievement Award, which is awarded annually to two graduating seniors.

Thank you very much for considering my candidacy. I would be honored to attend AMC and hope to be accepted.

Sincerely, A Future Medical Student