Learn how to write a letter of intent for medical school, when to send it, what to include, mistakes to avoid, and how to use our sample template.
A medical school letter of intent is a short, professional letter that tells one medical school that it is your clear first choice and that you will attend if you are accepted. Although the basic purpose of the letter is fairly simple, writing one can feel surprisingly difficult because you have to balance enthusiasm, professionalism, and a meaningful explanation of why that particular school is the right fit for you.
The strongest letters of intent are direct without sounding demanding, personal without becoming overly emotional, and specific enough that they could not simply be copied and sent to another program. Your letter should clearly state that the school is your first choice, explain why you believe you belong there, provide any meaningful updates that have occurred since your application or interview, and briefly describe what you would contribute to the incoming class.
Most medical school letters of intent should remain around one page, so you do not need to summarize your entire application or repeat every reason you are interested in the program. Instead, focus on the few details that matter most and help the admissions committee understand why you are making this commitment.
In this guide, I will walk you through how to write a letter of intent for medical school, when it may be appropriate to send one, what to include in each section, and which common mistakes you should avoid. I have also included a medical school letter of intent template, a complete example, an email example, and answers to frequently asked questions that tend to come up during this part of the application cycle.
What Is a Medical School Letter of Intent?
A medical school letter of intent is a formal message in which you tell a particular program that it is your first-choice medical school and that you will accept an offer of admission if one is extended.
The promise to attend is what makes this letter different from a general letter of interest. You are not simply telling the admissions committee that you remain excited about the school or would seriously consider attending. You are telling them that, if they offer you a seat, you are prepared to accept it and matriculate.
Although a letter of intent is generally not considered a legally binding agreement, it should still be treated as an important ethical commitment. Medical school admissions is a relatively small world, and your professionalism matters throughout the entire process. You should therefore send a letter of intent only when you are genuinely confident that you would choose that school over every other option available to you.
For the same reason, you should send a letter of intent to only one medical school. Sending several schools the same promise would defeat the purpose of the letter and could raise concerns about your judgment and honesty if the situation ever came to light.
How to Write a Letter of Intent for Medical School
When you first sit down to write your letter, it may help to think of it as a focused explanation of three things: why this medical school is your first choice, why you are a good fit for the program, and why the admissions committee should feel confident that you would accept an offer.
A complete medical school letter of intent will usually include your name and application identification number, a direct statement that the school is your first choice, two or three specific reasons the program fits your goals, any meaningful application updates, a brief explanation of what you would contribute to the class, and a final statement confirming that you will attend if accepted.
You do not need to make the letter overly dramatic, and you certainly do not need to beg for a place in the class. Your goal is simply to give the admissions committee useful information that may not have been fully apparent elsewhere in your application, especially your level of commitment to the school.
Step 1: Address the Letter Correctly
Whenever possible, address your letter to the dean or director of admissions. You can usually find this person’s name on the medical school’s admissions website, in your interview materials, or in previous emails you received from the program. When a specific person is not listed, addressing the letter to the members of the admissions committee is perfectly appropriate.
For example:
Dear Dr. Smith and Members of the Admissions Committee,
I would avoid beginning with “To Whom It May Concern” unless you truly cannot identify an appropriate recipient. A personalized greeting is a small detail, but it helps the letter feel more intentional and shows that you took the time to understand where your communication should be directed.
You should also include your full name and your AMCAS, AACOMAS, or TMDSAS identification number. Admissions offices receive an enormous amount of correspondence throughout the cycle, and providing this information makes it easier for the staff to match the letter with your application.
Step 2: State Your Intent Clearly and Early
Your opening paragraph should make the purpose of your letter immediately clear. You do not want the admissions committee to read half of the document before discovering that you are trying to communicate a firm intention to attend.
A clear opening might say:
I am writing to confirm that Example University School of Medicine is my first-choice medical school. If offered admission, I will enthusiastically accept the offer and matriculate.
This type of statement is direct, professional, and difficult to misunderstand. You can also mention your current application status, such as having recently interviewed or being placed on the waitlist, but the commitment itself should remain the main point of the opening paragraph.
Some applicants hesitate to be this direct because they worry that it will sound overly confident. In reality, clarity is helpful here. The entire purpose of a letter of intent is to communicate a decision that you have already made, so this is not the place to soften the message with phrases such as “I think,” “I believe,” or “I would probably attend.”
Step 3: Explain Why the School Is Your First Choice
After stating your intent, the next section should explain why this particular medical school has become your first choice. This is where the letter becomes personal and where you can show that your commitment is based on more than the school’s reputation, location, or ranking.
One of the most common weaknesses in letters of intent is that the reasoning remains too broad. Applicants may write that they admire the school’s supportive environment, strong research opportunities, excellent clinical training, or commitment to service, but those descriptions could apply to dozens of medical schools.
Instead, focus on two or three specific parts of the program that genuinely influenced your decision. These might include a distinctive curriculum, a student-run clinic, a longitudinal clinical experience, a research center, a pathway focused on a particular patient population, a community health program, or a conversation you had with a student or faculty member during your interview.
The most convincing explanations usually connect something the school offers with something you have already done. For example, rather than simply writing:
I am interested in your student-run clinic.
You could write:
My experience volunteering at a free clinic strengthened my commitment to caring for patients who face barriers to primary care. I would be excited to continue that work through the Community Health Clinic while learning from classmates who share a commitment to reducing local health disparities.
The second version feels more authentic because it explains not only what the applicant likes, but also why that opportunity matters to them. It also connects the school directly to a pattern of involvement that already exists in the application, which makes the interest more believable.
You can also draw from your interview experience. Perhaps a student described how collaborative the class is, an interviewer discussed a program that fits your goals, or you observed a learning environment that felt different from what you had experienced at other schools. Those personal details often make a letter feel much more genuine than information pulled directly from the school’s website.
Step 4: Include Meaningful Application Updates
Your letter of intent can also include a brief application update, particularly if something important has changed since you submitted your secondary application or completed your interview.
Meaningful updates might include a publication, poster presentation, research milestone, new leadership responsibility, strong academic performance, additional clinical experience, an award, or significant progress in a service project. The update does not need to be groundbreaking, but it should demonstrate continued growth or add useful information to your candidacy.
Try not to include minor developments simply because you feel that the letter needs more content. An additional handful of volunteer hours or attendance at one new meeting is unlikely to change how the committee views your application. A stronger update usually reflects increased responsibility, a significant accomplishment, or a deeper commitment to an activity that was already important to you.
When possible, connect the update to the medical school. For example:
Since my interview, I have assumed responsibility for training new volunteers at our community hypertension screening program. This experience has strengthened my interest in community-based prevention, an area I hope to continue exploring through Example University’s longitudinal population health curriculum.
This approach allows the update to do more than simply announce an accomplishment. It shows how your recent growth connects to the opportunities you hope to pursue as a student.
You also do not need to force an update into the letter when nothing significant has changed. A thoughtful explanation of your commitment and fit can still make the letter worthwhile. It is better to omit an update than to weaken the letter with information that does not add much value.
Step 5: Explain What You Would Contribute
A good letter of intent should not focus entirely on what you hope to gain from the medical school. The admissions committee is also building a class and considering what each applicant may contribute to the school’s learning environment, service initiatives, student organizations, and broader community.
You might briefly discuss your experience with peer mentoring, teaching, research, community service, leadership, or working with a population that is central to the school’s mission. You can also mention a personal perspective or skill that would allow you to contribute meaningfully to the class.
This section does not need to sound grand or overly ambitious. You are not expected to promise that you will completely transform the school or create several new organizations as soon as you arrive. Instead, focus on one or two realistic ways your existing experiences could allow you to become an engaged member of the community.
For example, an applicant with a history of tutoring science students might explain that they hope to contribute to the program’s peer-teaching culture. An applicant who has spent several years working at a free clinic might describe their interest in supporting the school’s community health initiatives. These connections help the committee see that the relationship would work in both directions.
Step 6: End With a Clear Commitment
Your final paragraph should briefly reaffirm that the program is your first choice and that you will attend if accepted. You should also thank the admissions committee for continuing to review your application and for considering the additional information you have provided.
A strong conclusion might say:
For these reasons, Example University School of Medicine remains my clear first choice. If offered admission, I will enthusiastically accept and matriculate. Thank you for your continued consideration of my application.
You can then close with “Respectfully,” “Sincerely,” or another professional sign-off, followed by your full name and application identification number.
By this point, you have already explained your reasoning in detail, so the conclusion does not need to introduce anything new. Its purpose is simply to leave the committee with a final, unmistakable statement of your commitment.
Medical School Letter of Intent Format
Although the exact appearance of your letter may vary slightly, most letters of intent follow a straightforward professional format.
At the top of the letter, include your full name, email address, phone number, application identification number, and the date. Beneath that, list the dean or director of admissions and the name of the medical school.
Begin with a professional greeting, and then organize the body into approximately four paragraphs. The first paragraph should state that the school is your first choice and that you will attend if accepted. The second should explain the specific reasons the program fits your goals. The third can provide a meaningful update and describe what you would contribute. The fourth should reaffirm your commitment and thank the committee.
At the end, include a professional closing, your full name, and your AMCAS, AACOMAS, or TMDSAS identification number.
You do not need to use an elaborate design or make the document look like a formal legal agreement. A clean, readable page with standard margins and a professional font will work well.
Medical School Letter of Intent Template
Dear Dr. [Last Name] and Members of the Admissions Committee,
My name is [Full Name], and my [AMCAS/AACOMAS/TMDSAS] identification number is [ID Number]. I am writing to confirm that [Medical School Name] is my first-choice medical school. If offered admission, I will enthusiastically accept the offer and matriculate.
After [interviewing at/learning more about] [Medical School Name], I became especially interested in [specific curriculum, program, clinic, research opportunity, mission, or community]. My experience with [related experience from your application] has strengthened my interest in [career goal, patient population, research area, or service commitment]. The opportunity to participate in [specific school opportunity] would allow me to continue developing this interest while contributing my experience in [relevant contribution].
Since submitting my application, I have [brief meaningful update]. Through this experience, I have [lesson, skill, or accomplishment]. I believe this growth would help me contribute to [specific program, student organization, clinic, research group, or school community].
My interactions with [students, faculty members, interviewers, or administrators] further confirmed that [Medical School Name] offers the collaborative and mission-driven environment in which I hope to complete my medical education. For these reasons, [Medical School Name] remains my clear first choice. If offered admission, I will accept and matriculate.
Thank you for your time and continued consideration of my application.
Respectfully,
[Full Name]
[AMCAS/AACOMAS/TMDSAS ID]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
Medical School Letter of Intent Example
Dear Dr. Williams and Members of the Admissions Committee,
My name is John Doe, and my AMCAS identification number is 12345678. I am writing to confirm that Example University School of Medicine is my first-choice medical school. If offered admission, I will enthusiastically accept the offer and matriculate.
My interview day strengthened my belief that Example University is the program that best matches my commitment to community-based medicine and medical education. I was particularly excited to learn about the Community Health Scholars pathway and the opportunity for students to work with local patients throughout all four years of the curriculum. During college, I volunteered at a free clinic that served patients with limited access to preventive care. That experience showed me how longitudinal relationships and patient education can improve trust, follow-up, and health outcomes. I would be excited to continue this work through Example University’s student-run clinic and community health curriculum.
I was also drawn to the collaborative culture described by the students I met during my interview. Their experiences with peer teaching and faculty mentorship closely matched the type of learning environment in which I have grown most successfully. As a teaching assistant and peer mentor, I have enjoyed helping other students gain confidence in challenging material, and I would hope to contribute that same spirit of support to my medical school class.
Since my interview, I have taken on a new leadership role coordinating volunteer training at our community screening program. I developed a brief orientation on blood pressure measurement, patient communication, and appropriate referral procedures for new volunteers. This experience has strengthened my leadership skills while reinforcing my interest in preventive medicine and community partnership.
Example University School of Medicine remains my clear first choice because of its longitudinal community engagement, collaborative learning environment, and commitment to training physicians who understand the communities they serve. If offered admission, I will accept the offer and matriculate. Thank you for your continued consideration of my application.
Respectfully,
John Doe
AMCAS ID: 12345678
johndoe@email.com
555-555-5555
When Should You Send a Letter of Intent to Medical School?
A letter of intent is most commonly sent after an interview, particularly when you have been placed on the waitlist at the school you would most like to attend.
Waiting until after the interview usually makes the letter more credible because you have had an opportunity to learn about the program beyond its website. You may have spoken with current students, met members of the faculty, learned more about the curriculum, and gained a much clearer sense of whether the environment fits your personality and goals.
A letter of intent may make sense when you have completed an interview and now know the school is your clear first choice, when you have been waitlisted at that program, or when you have a meaningful application update that supports your continued candidacy. However, you should always confirm that the school accepts this type of communication before sending it.
A letter of intent usually makes less sense before an interview because you may not yet have enough information to make an informed commitment. In that situation, a letter of interest or update letter may be more appropriate because it allows you to express enthusiasm without promising that you will attend.
Should You Send a Letter of Intent Before an Interview?
You can technically express a strong intention to attend before receiving an interview, but I would generally be cautious about calling that communication a letter of intent.
Before an interview, you may have researched the school extensively, but you have not yet experienced the program firsthand, spoken with students in an interview-day setting, or had the opportunity to compare the culture with that of other schools. Because of this, promising that a program is unquestionably your first choice can sometimes feel premature.
A letter of interest is usually a better option at this stage. It allows you to explain why the program fits your goals, provide a meaningful update, and reaffirm your enthusiasm without making an exclusive commitment.
There may be rare situations in which an applicant has an unusually strong connection to a particular program and knows with complete confidence that they would attend. Even in that situation, I would still check the medical school’s policy before sending anything.
Should You Send a Letter of Intent After an Interview?
After an interview is a much more natural time to send a letter of intent because you can draw from personal experiences rather than relying entirely on information available online.
Perhaps a student described a supportive class culture that stood out to you, an interviewer explained a research or clinical opportunity that fits your goals, or you came away from the day feeling that the program’s teaching style matched the way you learn best. These are the kinds of specific observations that can make your explanation more convincing.
However, you do not necessarily need to send the letter immediately after the interview. A short thank-you note is usually more appropriate as an immediate follow-up. Your letter of intent can come later, once you have reflected on the experience, compared your options, and become certain that the school is truly your first choice.
Should You Send a Letter of Intent After Being Waitlisted?
Being placed on a waitlist is probably the most common reason applicants consider sending a medical school letter of intent.
At this point, the medical school has already determined that you are qualified enough to remain under consideration. Your letter can then provide the committee with a few additional pieces of information: that you are still highly interested, that the program is your first choice, and that you would accept an offer if a seat became available.
This does not mean the letter will automatically move you off the waitlist. Waitlist movement depends on many factors, including how many accepted applicants withdraw, how the school is trying to shape its class, and whether your background or experiences meet a particular need at that point in the cycle.
Still, when the commitment is genuine, a thoughtful letter of intent can be a reasonable way to make your position clear. Rather than leaving the committee to wonder whether you are still interested or whether you would accept an offer, you are giving them a direct answer.
For a broader explanation of what may happen after being placed on an alternate list, you can also read my guide to how medical school waitlists work.
Letter of Intent vs. Letter of Interest
A letter of intent and a letter of interest are related, but they are not interchangeable.
A letter of intent tells a medical school:
This program is my first choice, and I will attend if accepted.
Because you are making an exclusive commitment, you should send this type of letter to only one school.
A letter of interest tells a medical school:
I remain very interested in this program and would seriously consider attending if accepted.
You may genuinely be interested in several programs at the same time, so you can send letters of interest to more than one school when their policies allow it.
The important difference is the promise. A letter of interest communicates enthusiasm, while a letter of intent communicates a final decision.
When you are not ready to make that level of commitment, it is better to be honest and send a letter of interest rather than trying to make your message sound stronger than it really is.
Letter of Intent vs. Medical School Update Letter
A medical school update letter primarily explains what has changed since you originally submitted your application. For example, you might use an update letter to describe a new publication, a research presentation, recent grades, additional clinical experience, or a new leadership role.
An update letter can also reaffirm your interest in the program, but it does not necessarily say that the school is your first choice or that you will attend if accepted.
A letter of intent may include an application update, but its main purpose remains the commitment to matriculate. The update supports the letter, while the statement of intent defines it.
My broader guide to communicating with medical schools explains when you might use update letters, letters of interest, letters of intent, thank-you notes, and other forms of admissions correspondence.
How Long Should a Medical School Letter of Intent Be?
Your medical school letter of intent should usually remain around one page.
Admissions committee members already have your primary application, secondary essays, letters of recommendation, interview evaluations, and any previous updates you submitted. They do not need another long personal statement that repeats the same information.
Keeping the letter to one page encourages you to focus on your strongest reasons for wanting to attend, your most meaningful update, and the most relevant contributions you could make to the school.
Use standard margins, a professional font, adequate spacing, and paragraphs that are easy to read. You want the admissions committee to be able to understand your message quickly without feeling as though they have been given another lengthy essay to review.
How Should You Send a Medical School Letter of Intent?
You should always follow the medical school’s specific instructions for post-interview communication. Depending on the program, you may be asked to upload the letter through the applicant portal, email it to the admissions office, send it to a designated admissions representative, or refrain from submitting any additional materials.
Some schools clearly state that they do not accept letters of intent, letters of interest, or application updates. Even if you have written a wonderful letter, sending it against the program’s instructions may reflect poorly on your ability to follow directions.
Before submitting anything, check the admissions website, applicant portal, interview materials, and recent emails from the school. When the policy remains unclear, you can send a short and polite email asking whether the school accepts letters of intent and where the document should be submitted.
When sending the letter by email, attaching it as a PDF is usually a professional option because the document’s spacing and formatting will remain intact. A clear file name might be:
LastName_FirstName_Letter_of_Intent.pdf
You should also include your full name and application identification number in both the email and the attached letter so the admissions office can easily place the communication in your file.
Medical School Letter of Intent Email Example
Email subject: Letter of Intent – John Doe – AMCAS ID 12345678
Dear Office of Admissions,
I hope you are doing well. Attached is a letter of intent for inclusion in my application file at Example University School of Medicine.
My full name is John Doe, and my AMCAS identification number is 12345678. Please let me know if any additional information is needed.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
John Doe
AMCAS ID: 12345678
johndoe@email.com
555-555-5555
The email itself does not need to repeat the entire letter. Keeping the message short makes it easy for the admissions staff to understand what you are submitting, while the attached document contains the full explanation.
Common Medical School Letter of Intent Mistakes
Sending Letters of Intent to Multiple Schools
Sending letters of intent to multiple medical schools is the most important mistake to avoid. You cannot honestly tell several programs that each one is your exclusive first choice and that you will attend if accepted.
When you remain genuinely interested in several programs, letters of interest are a more honest and appropriate option.
Ignoring the Medical School’s Instructions
Do not send a letter of intent when the school clearly states that it does not accept post-interview updates or additional correspondence.
Medical schools pay attention to professionalism, and following the school’s instructions is part of demonstrating that professionalism.
Making the Letter Too Generic
Your letter should contain more than broad compliments about the program’s reputation, faculty, curriculum, or clinical opportunities. Explain which specific features matter to you and connect them to your own background, goals, or interview experience.
The committee should be able to read your letter and understand why you selected their program, rather than feeling as though the school’s name could be replaced with another one.
Repeating Your Secondary Application
The admissions committee already has your secondary essays, so avoid restating the same stories and explanations without adding anything new.
Your letter should provide a clearer commitment, a new reflection from the interview, a meaningful update, or another perspective that strengthens the information already in your file.
Writing Several Pages
A longer letter is not automatically a more persuasive one. In many cases, it may simply make your most important points harder to find.
Keeping the letter near one page shows that you can communicate your reasoning clearly and respect the committee’s time.
Sounding Desperate or Demanding
It is completely understandable to feel anxious while waiting for an admissions decision, especially when the school is your first choice. However, the letter should not suggest that the committee owes you an acceptance or that your commitment should automatically move you ahead of other applicants.
Remain enthusiastic and confident, but also appreciative of the time the committee has already spent reviewing your application.
Exaggerating Your Connection to the Program
Choose reasons that genuinely matter to you instead of trying to make every feature of the medical school sound life-changing.
A smaller number of honest, well-developed connections will usually sound more persuasive than a long list of programs copied from the school’s website.
Including Weak Updates
You do not need to mention every new hour of volunteering, meeting attended, or minor change to your schedule. Focus on developments that show meaningful growth, increased responsibility, sustained commitment, or a notable achievement.
Sending the Letter Too Early
Try not to send a letter of intent simply because you are nervous about not hearing back from schools. The letter is most valuable when it reflects a decision you have made after learning enough about the program and considering your options carefully.
Does a Letter of Intent Help With Medical School Admission?
A letter of intent may help reinforce your candidacy by showing the admissions committee that the program is your first choice and that you are highly likely to matriculate if accepted. This information may be particularly relevant when a school is evaluating applicants on the waitlist and trying to determine who is still genuinely interested.
However, a letter of intent cannot guarantee an interview, acceptance, or movement from the waitlist. It also cannot erase major concerns elsewhere in an application. Different medical schools may place different amounts of weight on these letters, and some programs may not consider them at all.
I would think of the letter as one additional piece of information rather than a secret admissions strategy. Its value comes from being honest, specific, appropriately timed, and professionally written. Even then, the final decision will depend on many factors that remain outside of your control.
My Experience With Medical School Letters of Intent
I personally did not end up sending a letter of intent during my medical school application cycle. There were several schools that I liked, and I certainly would have been excited to attend them, but I never reached the point where I felt comfortable promising one program that I would choose it over every other possible option.
My plan was to reserve a letter of intent for a situation in which I was sitting on the waitlist at my unquestioned first-choice school without another acceptance. In that scenario, I knew the commitment would be real, and I would have felt comfortable telling the school that I would matriculate if offered a seat.
Thankfully, I did not end up needing to use that strategy.
Looking back, I think this is an important part of the conversation because applicants sometimes feel as though they are supposed to send a letter of intent simply because other people are doing it. During an already stressful application cycle, it is easy to feel that every additional letter, update, or email might be the one thing that changes the outcome.
In reality, there is nothing wrong with deciding that several medical schools could be good places for you to train. You should not force yourself to choose a first-choice school before you are ready, and you should not make a commitment simply because you are worried that silence will make you appear uninterested.
A letter of intent is most meaningful when you truly have one program that stands above the rest and you are prepared to follow through on the promise you are making.
Medical School Letter of Intent Checklist
Before submitting your letter, make sure the school accepts letters of intent and that you have reviewed its instructions for submitting additional materials. You should also confirm that this is the only school receiving a letter of intent and that you are genuinely prepared to attend if accepted.
Your opening paragraph should clearly state that the program is your first choice, while the body should explain the specific reasons the school fits your goals. Include only meaningful updates, connect your experiences to the program, and briefly explain what you would contribute to the school’s community.
Finally, keep the letter around one page, include your application identification number, verify the name of the school and recipient, and proofread the document carefully before submitting it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Send a Letter of Intent to More Than One Medical School?
No. A letter of intent states that a particular school is your first choice and that you will attend if accepted. You cannot honestly make that promise to several schools. Send letters of interest when you want to express strong interest in multiple programs without making an exclusive commitment.
Is a Medical School Letter of Intent Binding?
A letter of intent is generally not a legal contract, but it is an important ethical commitment. You should send one only when you sincerely intend to attend the medical school if accepted.
When Is the Best Time to Send a Medical School Letter of Intent?
The best time is usually after an interview, particularly after being placed on a waitlist at your clear first-choice program. The exact timing depends on the school’s policies and your application circumstances.
Can I Send a Letter of Intent Before Receiving an Interview?
You can, but a letter of interest is usually more appropriate before an interview. It may be difficult to credibly promise that a program is your unquestioned first choice before experiencing its interview day and learning more about its community.
Can a Letter of Intent Get Me Off a Medical School Waitlist?
A letter of intent may reinforce your interest and commitment, but it cannot guarantee movement from the waitlist. Waitlist decisions depend on openings in the class and the admissions committee’s institutional priorities.
Should I Include Application Updates in My Letter of Intent?
Include updates when they are meaningful. Strong examples include publications, new leadership responsibilities, significant academic results, awards, or substantial clinical and service accomplishments. Do not add minor updates merely to fill space.
How Long Should a Medical School Letter of Intent Be?
A medical school letter of intent should generally be one page. Focus on your commitment, two or three specific reasons for fit, meaningful updates, and what you would contribute.
Should I Email My Letter or Upload It to the Portal?
Follow the medical school’s instructions. Some programs prefer portal uploads, while others accept letters by email. Some schools do not accept letters of intent at all.
Should a Letter of Intent Be Attached as a PDF?
A PDF is usually a professional format when emailing the letter because it preserves the document’s spacing and appearance. Use a clear file name containing your first and last name.
Who Should Receive My Medical School Letter of Intent?
Address it to the dean or director of admissions when possible. Submit it through the applicant portal or admissions email according to the program’s instructions.
What Should the Subject Line Say?
A clear subject line is:
Letter of Intent – Full Name – AMCAS ID
This helps the admissions office identify and file your message.
Can I Send Another Letter After My Letter of Intent?
Avoid repeatedly contacting the school unless you have a genuinely significant update or the admissions office invites further correspondence. Sending several similar letters may appear excessive and is unlikely to strengthen your application.
Final Thoughts on Writing a Letter of Intent for Medical School
Learning how to write a letter of intent for medical school is less about finding the perfect wording and more about understanding the seriousness of the commitment you are making.
Your letter does not need to include dramatic language, an elaborate story, or a lengthy explanation of your entire application. It simply needs to clearly state that the school is your first choice, explain why the program fits your goals, provide any meaningful updates, and show what you could contribute to the community.
Keep the letter around one page, personalize it carefully, and send it only when you are certain that you would attend. Before submitting it, always verify that the medical school accepts letters of intent and follow the school’s instructions for uploading or emailing the document.
When the commitment is genuine and the letter sounds like it came from an actual person rather than a generic template, it can give the admissions committee a useful final piece of information: this is where you hope to complete your medical education, and you are ready to join the class if they offer you the opportunity.