When Is the Best Time to Send a Letter of Intent (LOI) to Dental Schools?

Find yourself sitting impatiently waiting to hear back from the dental school programs? Whether you have interviewed, submitted a KIRA, or are simply waiting for the first line of communication from a dental program, this blog post is geared to provide you supplemental tools to communicate your interests in a dental school program. 

Now, as soon as you hit the submit button for your dental school application it's not uncommon for students to question in angst “Have I done all that I can?” Applicants are often in a frenzy wondering if there's anything else that they can do to optimize their application. In this blog post, I will highlight a few cards you have in your deck to play once you've hit submit to further communicate your desire to gain acceptance to your dental school program of choice. 

Let me first preface this blog post with, there is no wrong time to send a letter of intent to a dental school but there is an absolutely most optimal time to increase your chance of admission. I find that many students sleep better at night knowing they have done everything in their control to put their best foot forward. This is often when a Letter of Intent (LOI) can be most strategic and impactful, if used correctly.

So let’s get into it. Below are key considerations on when and how to send an effective LOI, along with additional steps you can take to strengthen your candidacy during this waiting period.

When Should You Send a Letter of Intent?

The ideal time to send an LOI depends on your application status with the school. Here are 3 scenarios and recommended timelines for sending LOIs: 

• You have interviewed before December 15th (Decision Day) and are awaiting a final decision

• You are waitlisted

• You have completed a KIRA or secondary assessment and have not yet heard back AND its after 12/15

• If your primary application is verified and you have not received a KIRA

The answer to these scenarios follow the same rationale: Send an LOI in January - no later than the end of February. Why? 

Admissions offices will have their inboxes flooded throughout December navigating acceptance emails and likely will not be able to defer much attention to a letter of intent.  Typically upon acceptance a student has 30 days to deposit at a school. Once the dental school sees how many students have returned their acceptance they can determine how many interviews they will release in the new year.  A letter of intent is best sent in the new year in January or no later than February because it allows you to be at the forefront of the school's mind when they are considering sending out another round of interview invitations. 

“But Jenny, can I send a LOI right after my interview or before December 15th?” 

Yes, you definitely can but it likely would not change any outcome. The reality is, if for example, you’ve interviewed in the Fall, you are either accepted, waitlisted, or rejected. If you submit a LOI early on, you leave yourself very minimal cards left to play after December when there was a probable likelihood you were accepted to the program. But let’s say you were waitlisted, then in the New Year, you have an opportunity to update the admissions with meaningful information and remind the committee you are still interested in the program. 

What may be more appropriate in this scenario would be to send a simple thank you letter to your interviewer and admissions committee for their time and efforts towards interview day. 

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How to Write an Impactful Letter of Intent

While there is no one guaranteed way to write a letter of intent, here is a general guideline I advise for all students to effectively communicate a desire to a dental school program and one format that has worked to  help students gain admissions in the past

1. Intro Paragraph: Express Clear Interest

Begin by clearly stating your continued and enthusiastic interest in the program. This is where you communicate intent and a focused statement of why this school remains a top choice.

2. Second Paragraph: Provide Meaningful Updates

Outline what you have accomplished since submitting your application. This may include:

• Continued clinical exposure or employment

• Research involvement

• Community service or outreach

• Academic coursework or certifications

• Attending the school’s pre-dental events

The goal is to demonstrate ongoing commitment to dentistry and professional growth, not to restate your original application.

Note: You can also provide this information via the AADSAS academic updates. There are typically 2 windows to do this following submission. For example, in the 2026 application cycle, the academic windows are August 13, 2025 and September 29, 2025 and December 1, 2025 and February 6, 2026. For more information, check out this short video from ADEA’s academic updates.  

3. Third Paragraph: Fit and Contribution

Much like a secondary essay, this paragraph should address why you are a strong fit for the program and how you envision contributing to its community. Consider this like an ode to the program that depicts why you and the school are a harmonious fit. Reference the school’s values, curriculum, patient population, or outreach initiatives, and connect them directly to your experiences and goals.

4. Conclusion: Reaffirm Intent

Close by reaffirming your intent clearly (e.g., “If given the opportunity, I would enthusiastically accept an offer of admission”). Thank the admissions committee for their time and consideration, and formally sign the letter.

Additional Action Items While You Wait

Aside from submitting an LOI,  it may also be beneficial to continue networking with desired dental school programs and learning more about our profession. To do so, consider the following:

• Attend virtual or in-person pre-dental events hosted by the school

• Participate in pro bono dental service events, such as CDA Cares or CareForce (California-based examples), or equivalent outreach programs in your state

• Continue volunteering, shadowing, or working in dental settings where possible

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If you would like an application review, help with writing a letter of intent, or want to discuss your unique scenario, shoot us an email at thepredentalguide@gmail.com.