Letter of Interest vs Letter of Intent: Recognizing the Difference

Aspect	Letter of Interest	Letter of Intent
Purpose	Expresses interest in a program and requests further consideration	Confirms intention to rank a particular program highly, after the interview has been completed
Timing	Typically sent before receiving an interview invitation, usually during mid-October when the programs have just begun reviewing the applications	Usually sent after receiving an interview invitation. Once you've completed all your interviews, usually around late January to early February, you carefully consider your options and make a well-considered decision regarding your top program of choice
Flexibility	Allows for continued exploration of other programs	Indicates commitment to ranking the program highly
Content	Highlights relevant experiences and reasons for interest	Emphasizes reasons for choosing the program and future goals. Make sure to use clear and decisive words like 'number one choice' instead of 'top choice' or 'rank highly'
Formality	Less formal, often used as a networking tool	More formal, signifies commitment and seriousness
Tone	Can be more exploratory and open-ended	More decisive and committed
Effect on Ranking	Generally has little impact on final ranking decisions	May influence program directors' perception of applicant's commitment
Follow-up Communication	May lead to an interview invitation or further correspondence	You may or may not receive an email from the program acknowledging your letter of intent