How To Write Your Letter Of Intent

You have completed your interviews, it is time to create a rank order list. Before you do you need to reflect on where you want to go. Once that is complete, begin writing your letter of intent. I recommend you follow the format I outline here.

For this example I will use a hypothetical aspiring OBGYN Dr. Jane Doe. Her first email will be sent to Dr. PD, the program director at Fruitland Medical Center in Dreamville, Florida. Dr. Doe is writing this hypothetical email to the program of her top choice. She/He also intends to send a similar variation of this letter to her 2nd to 5th choices because she/he wants to be safe and to be equally considered at these other programs.

First …

What is a LOI?

It is a brief cover letter (or email) that the IMG (or international medical student) writes to the program(s) they want to match into. This typically means this program or programs would be “at the top of their rank order list”. This is a confirmatory statement to the program reassuring them of the applicant’s desire to train there. The goal is to make a case for a mutual consideration to be high on the rank list and eventually to match there.

How Should I Write a LOI?

Start with a salutation to your audience.

“Dear. Dr (insert program director here),”

Then move into the body.

“ Ever since my interview with you on December 10th 2021, I became ECFMG certified right in time for the upcoming rank order list season. “

(If you notice here, Dr. Doe jumped right into one professional achievement that makes her appear more competitive for the program. This is on the premise that she had a meaningful conversation with the program director about her career/medical school or IMG journey thus far. You may choose to share about your recent journal publication, or completion of USMLE step 3 or your recent medical school diploma award etc.)

“Dear. Dr (insert program director here),

Ever since my interview with you on December 10th 2021, I became ECFMG certified right in time for the rank order list season. Thai certificate was issued on January 10th 2022 and I am finally eligible to be licensed in the State of Florida should I be given the opportunity to train with you for residency.

(If you notice, Dr, Doe goes one more step to affirm her qualification for the program by speaking about the ease with which she would obtain licensure if given the training opportunity to join Dr. PD at the program. If you shared about completing your MPH then you can write about how that could add to the program. If you write about a new opportunity to work in research over the upcoming 4 months before residency starts then you can follow that with how that knowledge will serve the program. The goal here is to qualify yourself for the high position on the rank order list).

“Dear. Dr (insert program director here),

Ever since my interview with you on December 10th 2021, I became ECFMG certified right in time for the rank order list season. The certificate was issued on January 10th 2022 and this makes me eligible to be licensed in the State of Florida should I be given the opportunity to train with you.

As I reflect on my future in OB GYN, I realize the outcome is dependent on where I train starting this June. As the interview season comes to a close, based on our conversation regarding the the new curriculum you have developed, the opportunities for research in pre-eclampsia, your ratio of surgery and medicine and the focus on wellness you shared, training at Fruitland medical center under your leadership will set me up for my career goals in the academic arena as an OBGYN.

(Dr. Doe began to list out all the attributes of the program. Doe shared her “WHY” with the program director. In this paragraph, I want you to reflect on why it is important for you to train at the program you have chosen. You should write separate letters for each program as all programs are not the same. You must be intentional in this process. Remember that programs are all getting bombarded with the infamous line “you are my #1 choice” so you need more than those lines to convince them of your interest.)

“Dear. Dr (insert program director here),

As Fruitland Medical Center focuses on training well rounded residents who become competent in surgical skill and diagnostic capability, I am prepared to invest my ingenuity, commitment and readiness and add to the program’s productivity over the next 4 years. Fruitland is where I choose to serve (or Frutiland is my top choice or Fruitland is first on my rank list etc), I firmly hope you consider me in your cohort for June 2022.

Sincerely,
Dr. Jane Doe”

In the last paragraph, you see that Dr. Doe chose to avoid sounding cliche with a false reassurance. Dr. Doe insisted on telling Fruitland why she ranked them high.

Now it is your turn to write your LOI, when you do you may choose to incorporate the following tips:

Write from a point of reference. If there was something you discussed with the program director at length, then include that.
Make it unique. Make it sound like it could have only come from you. Show, don’t tell. I could have told you how to write this LOI but I decided to show you instead. Do the same!
Talk about your recent accomplishments. I suggest you open up the email with whats new!
Open up the email with something new (if possible). If not, affirm the most recent accomplishment. Did you get a publication since the day you interviewed? Tell them about that. Did you write your step 3 exam? Then share that. Did you graduate medical school or receive your diploma or even become eligible to graduate? Then share that! You can also include tentative dates!
Talk UP not down. Highlight your strengths, share your accomplishments!
Recognize the strengths of the program and mirror them to yours!

Go ahead and start writing your LOI today.

(P.S. I will be doing an instagram live session on “Understanding the Ranking System for IMG’s” on Wednesday Jan 20th at NOON. Follow me on Instagram so you don't miss this)!

If you want to be a part of the 2022 cohort of the IMG Roadmap Course join the waitlist by CLICKING HERE

Also you can find my 5 tips for your rank order list by CLICKING HERE