Letters of Intent

Written by Puja Singh, MD

Sending a letter of intent (LOI) can feel overwhelming. I couldn’t fathom how to begin writing it. I kept pushing it off and was nervous. I kept fixating on what to write in the letter.

Before writing my letter, I reached out to senior residents for advice. They had two pieces of advice: be honest and only send the “You’re my #1” email to one program. Remember that the program director gets lots of emails, so keep this message concise.

1)    Send the email to the Program Director (and cc the Program Coordinator).

2)    Title the subject clearly: “Letter of Intent”.

a.     This already sets the precedent before the reader opens the email.

3)    State your intention clearly to rank their program #1. (1 sentence)

4)    Reflect on the interview day and/or the social and why the program is at the top of your list (4-6 sentences).

a.     You can describe if geography plays a role in your decision (if you have any previous experience/family/friends in that city).

b.     You can reflect on your experience if you did an away rotation there or had discussions with residents/faculty members.

5)    If you are couples matching and your partner is ranking a program at the same institution, mention this as well. Program Directors between specialties at the same institution have been known to work together. (1-2 sentences)

6)    Signature

a.     Your name

b.     Your AAMC ID

After sending the letter, you might not receive a response from the Program Director. After sending my LOI, I anxiously checked my inbox for the next few days-weeks for a response. When I did not receive a response, I was frustrated. My boyfriend and his roommate at the time received a lovely response to their emails, and I did not. Yet, all three of us matched at our number one programs! So, do not take it as a positive/negative sign whether you get a response.

By sending the letter, you put your intention out there and made it clear that you feel passionate about going to the program. Now leave the rest up to the match wizards. May the odds be ever in your favor! Good luck.