Writing a letter of interest for medical school takes careful thought and attention to detail. Each medical school looks for different qualities in their candidates, and your letter needs to show why you would be a great fit for their program.
Getting your letter right can make a big difference in catching the attention of admissions committees. These sample letters will give you ideas about how to present your background, experiences, and goals in ways that connect with what medical schools want to see.
Sample Letters of Interest for Medical School
Here are 15 different approaches to writing an effective letter of interest for medical school applications.
1. The Research-Focused Candidate
*Dear Dr. Rodriguez,
Subject: Letter of Interest – MD Program at Stanford School of Medicine
As a research assistant at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for the past three years, studying targeted immunotherapy treatments for pediatric leukemia patients, the groundbreaking CAR T-cell therapy research at Stanford Medical School deeply resonates with my academic interests and career goals.
My current work involves analyzing patient outcomes data and supporting clinical trials of novel immunotherapy approaches. This experience has strengthened my passion for combining clinical medicine with translational research. The opportunity to learn from pioneers in immunotherapy while developing my clinical skills makes Stanford’s MD program particularly appealing.
The collaborative environment at Stanford, where medical students can work directly with researchers at the Stanford Cancer Institute, would allow me to build on my background in cancer biology and contribute to advancing innovative treatments. My experience managing multi-center clinical trial data has taught me the value of teamwork in medical research.
Beyond my research background, serving as a volunteer at Memorial Sloan Kettering’s pediatric unit has shown me the profound impact that new treatment approaches can have on young patients and their families. These interactions have deepened my commitment to pursuing a career as a physician-scientist focused on developing more effective and less toxic cancer therapies.
Stanford’s emphasis on nurturing physician-scientists through programs like the Scholarly Concentration in Cancer Biology perfectly aligns with my professional aspirations. The opportunity to learn from leaders in the field while having access to state-of-the-art research facilities would provide an ideal environment for my medical training.
Best regards,
Sarah Chen*
2. The Community Health Advocate
*Dear Dr. Thompson,
Subject: Letter of Interest – Rush Medical College MD Program
Your medical school’s dedication to serving Chicago’s underserved communities through programs like the Rush Community Service Initiatives Program strongly draws me to apply to Rush Medical College.
For the past four years, working as a health educator at a federally qualified health center in South Los Angeles has opened my eyes to the challenges facing medically underserved populations. Leading diabetes management workshops and coordinating preventive health screenings has shown me how community-based care can improve health outcomes.
My experience developing culturally appropriate health education materials in English and Spanish has taught me the importance of meeting patients where they are. Seeing patients return month after month, gradually making positive changes in their health behaviors, has been incredibly rewarding.
The opportunity to train at Rush, with its emphasis on community medicine and population health, would allow me to build on this background. Programs like the Community Health Equity concentration would provide valuable frameworks for addressing health disparities through clinical practice and advocacy.
Your partnerships with community organizations and focus on interprofessional education align perfectly with my goals of practicing primary care in an urban underserved setting. The chance to learn alongside students in nursing, social work, and other health professions would prepare me for the collaborative nature of community health work.
Sincerely,
Michael Rodriguez*
3. The Global Health Perspective
*Dear Dr. Anderson,
Subject: Letter of Interest – Johns Hopkins School of Medicine MD Program
Your medical school’s commitment to global health equity and the opportunities provided through the Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health attracted my attention to the MD program at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
My experience as a Peace Corps health volunteer in rural Tanzania has shaped my understanding of healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings. Working alongside local healthcare workers to implement maternal health initiatives taught me the importance of sustainable, community-driven solutions.
During my two years in Tanzania, helping establish a mobile prenatal care program reduced barriers to access for women in remote villages. This experience highlighted how simple interventions, when properly implemented with community buy-in, can significantly impact health outcomes.
The Global Health Leadership Program at Johns Hopkins would allow me to build on these experiences while gaining the clinical skills needed to practice medicine in various settings. The opportunity to participate in international health projects during medical school particularly appeals to me.
Your focus on combining rigorous medical training with opportunities to address global health challenges matches my career goals perfectly. The chance to learn from faculty involved in international health research and policy would provide valuable mentorship for my aspirations in global medicine.
Sincerely,
Amanda Foster*
4. The Healthcare Innovation Enthusiast
*Dear Dr. Martin,
Subject: Letter of Interest – Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
The Mayo Clinic’s tradition of medical innovation and commitment to finding creative solutions to healthcare challenges draws me to apply to the Alix School of Medicine.
As a biomedical engineering graduate working in health technology, developing mobile health applications for chronic disease management has shown me how technology can enhance healthcare delivery. My current project involves creating a patient-centered app for diabetes management, which has taught me the importance of designing solutions that work for both patients and healthcare providers.
My background in human-centered design and experience conducting user research with patients and clinicians has given me valuable insights into healthcare delivery challenges. These skills would complement Mayo’s focus on healthcare innovation and technology integration.
The Healthcare Delivery Scholar program particularly interests me as it would provide formal training in healthcare innovation while pursuing my medical degree. The opportunity to work with Mayo’s Center for Innovation and learn from leaders in healthcare delivery science would be invaluable.
Your emphasis on training physicians who can lead healthcare transformation aligns perfectly with my goals of combining clinical practice with healthcare innovation. The collaborative environment at Mayo would provide an ideal setting for developing both clinical skills and innovative approaches to healthcare delivery.
Best regards,
David Park*
5. The Patient Advocate
*Dear Dr. Wilson,
Subject: Letter of Interest – University of Michigan Medical School
Your medical school’s dedication to patient-centered care and the opportunities provided through the Path of Excellence in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality make the University of Michigan Medical School an ideal fit for my goals.
Working as a patient navigator at a major cancer center has taught me the importance of advocating for patients within complex healthcare systems. Helping patients understand their treatment options and coordinate their care has shown me how good communication and systematic support can improve health outcomes.
My role involves tracking patient barriers to care and developing solutions to address them. This experience has given me practical insights into healthcare quality improvement and the impact of social determinants of health on patient care.
Michigan’s emphasis on training physicians who understand healthcare systems and quality improvement methodology particularly appeals to me. The chance to participate in the Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality Path of Excellence would provide valuable training in systematic approaches to improving care delivery.
Your focus on combining clinical excellence with training in healthcare systems and quality improvement matches my professional goals perfectly. The opportunity to learn from leaders in healthcare quality while developing strong clinical skills makes Michigan an ideal place for my medical education.
Sincerely,
Rachel Lee*
6. The Rural Medicine Advocate
*Dear Dr. Brown,
Subject: Letter of Interest – University of Washington School of Medicine
Your medical school’s commitment to training physicians for rural practice through the WWAMI program and Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program drew me to apply to the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Growing up in a small farming community in eastern Washington and working as an EMT for our local volunteer ambulance service has shown me the unique healthcare challenges facing rural communities. Long transport times and limited specialty care access have taught me the importance of comprehensive primary care skills.
My experience coordinating our community’s first health fair, which provided free screenings and health education to over 300 residents, demonstrated the impact that dedicated healthcare providers can have in rural settings. This event also highlighted the importance of preventive care and community engagement.
The WWAMI program’s focus on training physicians for rural practice perfectly aligns with my career goals. The opportunity to complete clinical rotations in rural settings while learning from experienced rural physicians would provide ideal preparation for my intended career in rural medicine.
Your emphasis on training physicians who understand the unique aspects of rural healthcare delivery matches my professional aspirations perfectly. The chance to learn from faculty with rural practice experience while gaining broad clinical skills makes UW an ideal place for my medical training.
Best regards,
James Miller*
7. The Public Health Professional
*Dear Dr. Harris,
Subject: Letter of Interest – Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Your medical school’s integration of public health principles into medical education and the opportunity to pursue a dual MD/MPH degree attracts me to Columbia’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Working as an epidemiologist at the city health department during the COVID-19 pandemic has shown me how clinical medicine and public health must work together to address population health challenges. Leading contact tracing teams and analyzing outbreak data has given me valuable experience in applying epidemiological principles to real-world health challenges.
My role in developing community testing strategies and vaccination campaigns has taught me the importance of combining clinical knowledge with public health approaches. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career that bridges individual patient care and population health.
Columbia’s emphasis on training physicians who understand both clinical medicine and public health particularly appeals to me. The opportunity to pursue the dual MD/MPH degree while learning from leaders in both fields would provide ideal preparation for my career goals.
Your focus on combining excellent clinical training with strong public health education matches my professional aspirations perfectly. The chance to learn in an environment that values both individual patient care and population health makes Columbia an ideal place for my medical education.
Sincerely,
Emily Chang*
8. The Medical Education Enthusiast
*Dear Dr. Taylor,
Subject: Letter of Interest – Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Your medical school’s emphasis on educational innovation and the opportunities provided through the Teaching Academy make Vanderbilt University School of Medicine particularly appealing to me.
As a science curriculum developer for a network of charter schools, creating engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences has shown me the power of innovative educational approaches. Developing hands-on science programs and training teachers has given me valuable experience in educational design and implementation.
My current work involves integrating health science content into K-12 education, which has taught me the importance of making complex medical concepts accessible to diverse audiences. These skills would transfer well to peer teaching and patient education in medical school and beyond.
Vanderbilt’s emphasis on student-as-teacher opportunities and the chance to participate in the Teaching Academy particularly interest me. The opportunity to develop teaching skills while pursuing my medical degree would provide valuable preparation for my goal of combining clinical practice with medical education.
Your focus on training physicians who can effectively teach both patients and colleagues matches my professional aspirations perfectly. The chance to learn in an environment that values educational excellence makes Vanderbilt an ideal place for my medical training.
Best regards,
Thomas Wright*
9. The Clinical Research Leader
*Dear Dr. Johnson,
Subject: Letter of Interest – University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
Your medical school’s strength in clinical research and the opportunities provided through the Molecular Medicine and Clinical Investigation Pathway make UCSF School of Medicine stand out as my top choice.
As a clinical research coordinator managing multiple Phase III trials in oncology, seeing how clinical research directly impacts patient care has strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career as a physician-scientist. Coordinating complex protocols and working closely with both research participants and investigators has given me valuable insights into clinical investigation.
My experience supporting investigator-initiated trials and helping junior investigators navigate the research process has taught me the importance of mentorship in clinical research. These experiences have prepared me well for the collaborative research environment at UCSF.
The Molecular Medicine and Clinical Investigation Pathway particularly interests me as it would provide formal training in clinical research methodology while pursuing my medical degree. The opportunity to work with UCSF’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute would be invaluable.
Your emphasis on training physicians who can lead clinical research while maintaining excellent clinical skills matches my career goals perfectly. The chance to learn from leaders in clinical investigation while developing strong patient care abilities makes UCSF an ideal place for my medical education.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Kim*
10. The Technology Integration Specialist
*Dear Dr. Baker,
Subject: Letter of Interest – NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Your medical school’s focus on technological innovation in healthcare and the opportunities provided through the Health Care by Design program draw me to apply to NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
As a software developer specializing in electronic health record systems, working directly with clinicians to improve healthcare technology has shown me both the potential and challenges of technology integration in medicine. Developing solutions for clinical decision support and workflow optimization has given me valuable insights into healthcare delivery.
My current project involves creating natural language processing tools to improve clinical documentation, which has taught me the importance of designing technology that enhances rather than burdens patient care. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career that bridges medicine and technology.
NYU’s emphasis on training physicians who understand both clinical medicine and healthcare technology particularly appeals to me. The opportunity to participate in the Health Care by Design program while pursuing my medical degree would provide ideal preparation for my career goals.
Your focus on combining excellent clinical training with innovation in healthcare delivery matches my professional aspirations perfectly. The chance to learn in an environment that values both traditional medical skills and technological advancement makes NYU an ideal place for my medical education.
Best regards,
Kevin Zhang*
11. The Primary Care Champion
*Dear Dr. Davis,
Subject: Letter of Interest – University of Minnesota Medical School
Your medical school’s commitment to primary care excellence and the opportunities provided through the Rural Physician Associate Program make the University of Minnesota Medical School particularly appealing to me.
Working as a medical assistant in a busy family practice clinic has shown me the vital role that primary care physicians play in community health. Supporting physicians as they coordinate care for patients with complex medical needs has given me valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of primary care practice.
My experience helping implement group visits for diabetes management has taught me the importance of innovative approaches to chronic disease care. Seeing how this model improved both patient outcomes and satisfaction strengthened my commitment to primary care medicine.
Minnesota’s emphasis on training physicians for comprehensive primary care practice particularly interests me. The opportunity to participate in the Rural Physician Associate Program would provide valuable experience in full-spectrum family medicine.
Your focus on training physicians who can provide excellent primary care while leading healthcare transformation matches my professional goals perfectly. The chance to learn from experienced primary care physicians while gaining broad clinical skills makes Minnesota an ideal place for my medical training.
Sincerely,
Laura Peterson*
12. The Health Justice Advocate
*Dear Dr. Martinez,
Subject: Letter of Interest – Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Your medical school’s commitment to social justice and the opportunities provided through the Community-Based Service Learning program draw me to apply to Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Working as a case manager at a homeless healthcare program has shown me how social conditions directly impact health outcomes. Helping clients navigate healthcare and social service systems while addressing immediate medical needs has given me valuable insights into the social determinants of health.
My experience developing partnerships with community organizations to improve care coordination has taught me the importance of addressing both medical and social needs. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career that combines clinical care with advocacy for health equity.
Einstein’s emphasis on training physicians who understand healthcare disparities and social medicine particularly appeals to me. The opportunity to participate in the Community-Based Service Learning program while pursuing my medical degree would provide ideal preparation for my career goals.
Your focus on combining excellent clinical training with strong social medicine education matches my professional aspirations perfectly. The chance to learn in an environment that values both clinical excellence and social justice makes Einstein an ideal place for my medical education.
Best regards,
Nicole Garcia*
13. The Behavioral Health Integrator
*Dear Dr. Adams,
Subject: Letter of Interest – University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Your medical school’s emphasis on integrated behavioral health and the opportunities provided through the Brain and Behavior concentration make Penn Medicine particularly appealing to me.
As a behavioral health consultant embedded in a primary care practice, seeing how mental health integration improves patient outcomes has strengthened my commitment to holistic patient care. Working alongside primary care providers to address both physical and mental health needs has given me valuable experience in collaborative care models.
My role in developing screening protocols and treatment pathways for common mental health conditions has taught me the importance of systematic approaches to behavioral health integration. These experiences have prepared me well for a career combining primary care and mental health.
Penn’s emphasis on training physicians who understand both physical and mental health particularly interests me. The opportunity to participate in the Brain and Behavior concentration while pursuing my medical degree would provide valuable preparation for my career goals.
Your focus on combining excellent clinical training with strong behavioral health education matches my professional aspirations perfectly. The chance to learn in an environment that values integrated care makes Penn an ideal place for my medical training.
Sincerely,
Daniel Lee*
14. The Women’s Health Advocate
*Dear Dr. Roberts,
Subject: Letter of Interest – Boston University School of Medicine
Your medical school’s commitment to women’s health and the opportunities provided through the Women’s Health pathway make Boston University School of Medicine stand out as my top choice.
Working as a doula and reproductive health educator has shown me the importance of comprehensive, patient-centered women’s healthcare. Supporting patients through pregnancy and childbirth while providing health education has given me valuable insights into the unique healthcare needs of women.
My experience developing culturally appropriate prenatal education programs has taught me the importance of addressing disparities in maternal health outcomes. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career focused on advancing women’s health.
BU’s emphasis on training physicians who understand women’s health across the lifespan particularly appeals to me. The opportunity to participate in the Women’s Health pathway while pursuing my medical degree would provide ideal preparation for my career goals.
Your focus on combining excellent clinical training with specialized education in women’s health matches my professional aspirations perfectly. The chance to learn from leaders in women’s health while developing strong clinical skills makes BU an ideal place for my medical education.
Best regards,
Maria Santos*
15. The Career Changer
*Dear Dr. Williams,
Subject: Letter of Interest – Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program at Goucher College
After ten years as a high school chemistry teacher, my desire to have a more direct impact on people’s health has led me to pursue a career in medicine. Goucher’s post-baccalaureate premedical program, with its proven track record of preparing career-changers for success in medical school, stands out as an ideal next step.
Teaching chemistry has honed my ability to break down complex concepts and communicate clearly with diverse audiences. These skills, combined with my deep understanding of chemical principles, provide a strong foundation for medical studies. Leading my school’s science outreach program has also given me extensive experience working with people from varied backgrounds.
My decision to change careers stems from volunteering at a local free clinic, where seeing doctors combine scientific knowledge with compassion to help patients sparked my interest in medicine. This experience showed me how my background in science education could translate into a meaningful career in healthcare.
The structured curriculum and individualized advising at Goucher would help me efficiently complete my premedical requirements while maintaining academic excellence. The program’s linkage agreements with medical schools particularly appeal to me as a career-changer seeking a clear path to medical school.
Best regards,
Robert Turner*
Wrap-up: Writing Letters for Medical School Applications
Creating an effective letter of interest requires careful attention to detail and a clear understanding of what each medical school values. These sample letters demonstrate different approaches to highlighting your unique experiences and qualities while showing genuine interest in each program’s specific offerings.
Remember that your letter should reflect your authentic voice and experiences. Use these samples as guides to structure your thoughts, but make sure your letter tells your unique story and demonstrates why you would be an excellent addition to the medical school’s incoming class.