How to Write a Letter of Intent for Medical School

A letter of intent for medical school is sent after an interview to tell one medical school that it is your first choice and that you will attend if accepted. Because medical schools want to admit applicants who are likely to enroll, a well-written letter of intent may improve your chance of admission, particularly if you are on the post-interview waitlist.

Although not legally binding, a letter of intent (LOI) carries an important ethical commitment. Only send one to the medical school you would choose over every other option. If accepted, you must be prepared to withdraw your applications from other schools and commit to attending.

Keep your letter, typically sent via email, to approximately one page. It should be formal, specific, and direct, explaining why the school is your top choice and how you would contribute to its medical community.

Use this guide to learn what to include, see a letter of intent template and sample, find out when to send your letter, and avoid common mistakes when sending one to admissions committees.

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What to Include in a Medical School Letter of Intent

You only have about one page to explain why a certain school is the right fit for you and vice versa, and you can’t sound generic. We’ve split this guide on how to write a formal letter of intent into five sections:

• The right contacts.
• Personal introduction and purpose for writing.
• Why the school is your top choice.
• Recent and relevant accomplishments.
• A clean conclusion.

Below, we walk through each section, along with what to avoid, formatting tips, when to send your letter, and a letter of intent example. You can also skip ahead if you’re looking for a template or sample letter.

The Right Contacts

You need to communicate with the people making the decisions, so don’t waste your time sending a letter of intent to a generic “info@” email address.

Do your research and find out who the dean or director of admissions is. If you really clicked with a particular interviewer, you should include them on the cc line as well.

Before sending anything, check the medical school’s admissions website. Many schools explain whether they accept post-interview letters of intent and specify where to submit them, whether through an application portal or by email. Follow the school’s instructions rather than assuming email is the preferred method.

Use the correct titles and spellings when addressing your letter. Don’t say “Dear Dean of Admissions” if you can find the appropriate name. Instead, use a personalized greeting such as “Dear Dr. John Smith.”

Personal Introduction and Purpose for Writing

Introduce yourself quickly and get straight to why you are writing to the school. Don’t oversell yourself at this point. You’ll get to mention recent accomplishments in later sections. See the example below.

My name is John Doe, and I am a current applicant to Best University School of Medicine who interviewed on December 1st. I am writing this letter to reiterate that Best University School of Medicine is my top choice for medical school, explain why I am a good fit for the school, and update you on new accomplishments that may not be in my current file.

Why the School Is Your Top Choice (and Vice Versa)

Give legitimate and personalized reasons why you would attend this medical school over any other program.

Include any memorable moments from your interview. If you enjoyed your time with your interviewer, mention that as well.

There might be aspects of the school’s culture, location, or mission that mesh with your personality, learning style, or goals. You can talk about how the school’s vision, mission statement, or specific programs resonate with you.

Check out this example of talking about why this school is your ideal choice:

This school is my top choice because of its (specific program name). Your vision and mission align with mine more than other medical colleges, and I appreciated (specific elements of school culture) when I interviewed there.

Then, connect the qualities that make the school a good fit with what you would bring to its community. Consider two questions:

• What makes you stand out as a medical school candidate?
• What value would you personally offer the school as a medical student and future alum?

Read Next: Should You Apply Early Decision for Medical School?

Recent and Relevant Accomplishments

Here’s where you can highlight your recent and relevant accomplishments. Be confident, but don’t be arrogant. Include newsworthy updates that aren’t in your primary med school application, secondary application, or previous update letters. If you took time between college and medical school, you can also highlight relevant experiences gained during a gap year.

You can also talk about your upcoming plans and near-future accomplishments. Include things such as:

• A new research publication.
• Leadership endeavors.
• New clinical experiences or physician shadowing.
• Recent achievements at your job or volunteer place.

Turning your letter of intent into a hybrid letter of intent and update letter can strengthen your message. For additional guidance, explore our medical school update letter example hub.

A Clean Conclusion

Give a final statement that reiterates your interest and clearly confirms your commitment to attend if accepted. Thank the admissions committee for its consideration and express how you look forward to joining the school.

Use a professional closing such as “Sincerely” or “Best wishes.”

For example:

“I would be honored to attend BUSOM and, if accepted, will gladly accept your offer of admission. I know I can make a positive contribution to the school. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to join your incoming class.

Best wishes,
Jane Doe”

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Medical School Letter of Intent Template

You can use the following template to organize your medical school letter of intent. Replace the bracketed information with your own details, and personalize the school-specific reasons rather than copying generic statements.

[Your Full Name]
AAMC ID: [Your AAMC ID]
Date: [Month, Day, Year]

Dear [Dean or Director of Admissions’ Full Name],

My name is [Your Full Name], and I am an applicant to [Full Name of Medical School]. I interviewed on [Interview Date] and am writing to reiterate that [Medical School Name] is my first choice. If accepted, I will gladly accept your offer of admission and attend [Medical School Name].

Following my interview, I am even more confident that [Medical School Name] is the right fit for me. I was particularly impressed by [Specific Program, Curriculum, or Educational Opportunity] because [Explain How It Aligns With Your Goals]. I also appreciated [Specific Interaction or Experience From Interview Day], which reinforced my interest in [School’s Mission, Values, or Community]. These qualities make [Medical School Name] the ideal place for me to pursue my medical education.

Since submitting my application, I have [Describe a New Accomplishment, Research Development, Clinical Experience, Leadership Role, or Other Relevant Update]. Through this experience, I have [Explain What You Learned or Accomplished] and strengthened my preparation for medical school.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be honored to join the incoming class at [Medical School Name], and I reiterate that I will attend if accepted. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to your medical school community.

Best wishes,

[Your Full Name]

Medical School Letter of Intent Example

See a medical school letter of intent example below. Use this as inspiration for your personalized LOI. Do not copy and paste!

Dear [Dean or Director of Admissions, depending on the school],

My name is John Doe, and I am currently applying to Best University School of Medicine (BUSOM). I interviewed on December 1st and am writing this letter for three purposes. My first purpose is to reiterate that BUSOM is my clear top choice for medical school. If accepted, I will definitely attend BUSOM. Second, I hope to express why I am a good fit for your school. Last, I wanted to update you on any new accomplishments that may not be in my current applicant file.

During my interview with Dr. Awesome, I asked her how I should decide which school to go to. Her main advice was to figure out which school was the best fit for me. After attending multiple interviews and learning extensively about different schools, I believe that BUSOM is truly the best fit for me. I agree wholeheartedly with the vision and mission of the school, especially the focus on serving both the local and global community. BUSOM’s emphasis on PBL and small groups is extremely enticing to me because I, too, value hands-on and group learning. On my interview day, I definitely felt at home. I loved the passion and warmth of the faculty. The speech by Dr. Perfect was amazing in welcoming and inspiring all of us interviewees. In addition, I could not help but notice how genuinely happy BUSOM’s medical students were. They repeatedly expressed how much they loved the school. All the students walking by had smiles on their faces and greeted us kindly.

BUSOM is renowned for producing intelligent, mature, and diligent physicians. I believe I have what it takes to live up to BUSOM’s standard of excellence. Since graduating from Awesome University, I have been working full-time as a clinical research associate. As a clinical researcher, I have consistent exposure to patients as I enroll them into our study. Right now, I am learning how to effectively communicate with patients, but I know that BUSOM will further prepare me to become the best clinician I can possibly be.

Our research team recently submitted a paper for our project on breast cancer that will be appearing in Nature. As author of the paper, I contributed by collecting and analyzing data, helping design the study, writing and editing the manuscript, and critically evaluating methods of dissemination. BUSOM is a place where cutting-edge research never stops. My intent is to continue its tradition of research greatness.

I would be honored to attend BUSOM. I know that I can make a positive contribution to the school. Thank you so much for your consideration. I hope to see you in the fall!

Best wishes,

John Doe

AAMC ID: 12382390

What this letter of intent does well:

• It names the interviewer. Referencing Dr. Awesome makes the letter feel personal and reminds the admissions committee of a specific interaction.
• It cites specific school programs and qualities. The applicant connects BUSOM’s PBL curriculum, small-group learning, mission, and supportive community to their interests.
• It clearly states the commitment. The applicant explicitly says BUSOM is their top choice and that they will attend if accepted.
• It includes meaningful updates. The applicant shares recent clinical research experience and an upcoming publication to demonstrate continued growth since applying.

For more guidance on writing update letters, explore our premium medical school update letter example hub, which includes 30+ examples.

How to Format a Medical School Letter of Intent

Below are our recommendations for letter of intent formatting and other considerations before you send your email:

• Use a readable font. Acceptable fonts are Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Font size should be 11 or 12. Don’t use funky colors, excessive bold or italics, highlighting, or emojis.
• Keep it concise. Stick to three to five paragraphs, about 300 to 500 words. If your LOI is more than one page in Microsoft Word/Google Docs, you need to cut something.
• Proofread. Use a grammar and spell-check tool to catch errors before sending. We also suggest letting a peer or professional mentor read over your LOI before sending it. For more on our perspective on using AI throughout the application cycle, see our guide to using ChatGPT for medical school applications.
• Download as a PDF with a clear title. PDFs preserve formatting across all devices, making them the best file format for email attachments. When you download the PDF, title it clearly: “LastName_FirstName_LetterofIntent.pdf”
• Send a professional email. Include a professional subject, such as “Letter of Intent [Full Name]”. Write a professional greeting, two or three lines to briefly explain that the attached PDF is a med school letter of intent, and a “Thank you” or “Sincerely” to end it. Don’t forget to attach the PDF.

How Long Should a Letter of Intent Be?

A medical school letter of intent should be about one page, or approximately 300 to 500 words in three to five paragraphs. Keep your letter concise and focused on why the school is your top choice, why you are a good fit, and any meaningful updates to your application.

When to Send a Letter of Intent for Medical School

Do not send a letter of intent until after you have interviewed. Start drafting an LOI as soon as you have interviewed at your top-choice school. (Reminder: You should only send letters of intent to one school. Letters of interest, however, can be sent to multiple schools.)

Sending a letter of intent before or at the start of the interview season may look hasty, disingenuous, desperate, and premature. You want to look level-headed, thoughtful, and professional.

If you’re put on the post-interview waitlist at your top-choice school, that is a good time to send an LOI. A well-crafted letter of intent can make you stand out among other waitlisted candidates.

For the 2026-2027 application cycle, keep the AMCAS Choose Your Medical School timeline in mind:

• February 19, 2027: “Plan to Enroll” becomes available to accepted applicants in AMCAS.
• April 30, 2027: “Commit to Enroll” becomes available. Schools can also begin seeing applicant-specific “Plan to Enroll” and “Commit to Enroll” selections.

Each medical school sets its own commitment and enrollment deadlines, so check the medical school admissions process policies for the schools where you are waitlisted. You can find more information on the AAMC’s Choose Your Medical School tool.

Waitlist movement often picks up around April 30 as accepted pre-meds make final decisions and withdraw from other schools. Sending your letter of intent in the weeks leading up to this date can put your commitment in front of the admissions office as it makes enrollment decisions.

Send one letter of intent, then follow up with short update letters if you have meaningful new accomplishments or developments to share. Each update should be unique, informative, and professional. Avoid sending repeated letters of intent that simply restate your commitment.

Learn More: How to Successfully Reapply to Medical School and Get a “Yes!”

What to Avoid in a Letter of Intent

Here’s a quick list of what to avoid when you’re writing a good letter of intent for medical school:

• Don’t lie. Don’t pretend a school is your top choice if it’s not. Don’t tout achievements that aren’t true.
• Don’t be vague. Give a clear statement that you will attend the school if offered a spot. Don’t say “very likely” or “highly interested.” That could be construed as not being sure. For example: “If admitted, I will enroll at [School].”
• Don’t send it before your interview. Sending an LOI before an interview is typically seen as premature, making admissions committees think you are hasty or disingenuous. Wait until after you interview at multiple schools. Being put on a medical school waitlist post-interview is a good justification for sending an LOI.
• Don’t include fluff. You only have about one page to accomplish a lot of things in your letter of intent. Avoid fluff. Don’t waste space repeating info you’ve given them before, including anything on your application(s).
• Don’t copy and paste. A generic letter or one written by AI is recognizable and will be seen as a mark against you. Feel free to use templates and get inspiration from examples, but write an original, personalized letter.
• Don’t beg. You don’t want to look desperate. Maintain a professional tone. Express why the school is a good fit for you and vice versa, but no begging.
• Don’t sound entitled. Never say, “I deserve a spot.” Instead, be grateful.
• Don’t be sloppy. Please, please, please don’t misspell a dean’s name, address the wrong school, leave in grammatical and spelling errors, or make other sloppy mistakes.

Note: A letter of intent is not a substitute for a post-interview thank-you message. Use this thank-you note generator to help write a separate note after your interview.

Letter of Intent vs. Letter of Interest vs. Update Letter

The main difference between a medical school letter of intent, letter of interest, and update letter is what you communicate to the admissions committee: a commitment to attend, continued interest in the school, or new information about your application.

The term letter of intent is also used in the residency application process, but the expectations are different. For more on that process, read this guide to letters of intent for the residency Match.

You can also combine an update with a letter of intent by including meaningful new accomplishments alongside your commitment to attend. For more guidance and examples, see our premium medical school update letter example hub.

How to Write a Letter of Interest for Medical School

A letter of interest follows the same structure as a letter of intent, with one key difference: it tells a school that it is one of your top choices without promising to attend. Send one to schools where you remain under consideration but that are not your first choice.

Keep it to about one page. Open by restating your interest in the school, give two or three specific reasons it fits your goals, share any meaningful updates since your interview, and close by thanking the admissions committee. Leave out phrases such as “first choice” or “I will attend if accepted,” which belong only in a letter of intent.

Medical School Letter of Interest Example

Use this short example as a model, and personalize every detail:

Dear Dr. Smith,

I am writing to reiterate my strong interest in Best University School of Medicine (BUSOM). My interview on January 15 confirmed that BUSOM’s community health curriculum and longitudinal clinical experiences align closely with my goal of practicing primary care in underserved communities.

Since my interview, I have completed a second semester as volunteer coordinator at my local free clinic, where I now help train new volunteers each month.

BUSOM remains one of my top choices, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to join your incoming class. Thank you for your continued consideration.

Sincerely,

Jane Doe

AAMC ID: [Your AAMC ID]

FAQs

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