Post-Interview: Thank-You Notes, Updates & Waitlist Strategy
The interview is not the end of the process. What you do in the days and weeks that follow can meaningfully affect your outcome — especially if you're waitlisted.
Mario Tomei, MD, MBA, MHA, CHSE
Physician · Former admissions committee member · Medical admissions advisor
The Thank-You Note — Why It Matters and How to Write It
A thank-you note is a professional courtesy that most applicants skip. It will not save a bad interview — but it reinforces a good one, and it signals the kind of professionalism that admissions committees are evaluating throughout the process.
How to Write a Thank-You Note
Send within 24 hours
The window for a thank-you note is narrow. Send it the same day or the morning after your interview. A note that arrives a week later loses its impact.
Address it to your interviewer by name
If you interviewed with multiple people, send individual notes to each one. A group email is less personal and less effective.
Reference something specific
The most effective thank-you notes mention something specific from your conversation — a topic you discussed, a question that made you think, or something you learned about the school. This proves you were genuinely present.
Keep it brief
Three to four sentences. Acknowledge the interview, reference something specific, reaffirm your interest. Don't summarize your qualifications or add new information — that's what the LOCI is for.
Example thank-you note
"Dear Dr. [Name], Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday. Your perspective on [specific topic from the conversation] gave me a clearer sense of [what you learned or how it reinforced your interest]. I left the conversation more confident than ever that [school name] is where I want to train. I hope to have the opportunity to join your program."
If You're Waitlisted — The Letter of Continued Interest
Being waitlisted is not a rejection. It means the committee found your application competitive but did not have a seat for you in the initial round. Waitlist movement is real — and a well-crafted letter of continued interest can strengthen your position.
How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest
Send one letter, not multiple
One well-crafted LOCI is more effective than repeated follow-ups. Multiple letters signal anxiety, not genuine interest.
Time it right
Send your LOCI within two to three weeks of receiving your waitlist notification. Not immediately — give yourself time to write something genuine. Not months later — the window for waitlist movement is typically spring and early summer.
Reaffirm your genuine interest
Be specific about why this school is your first choice. Reference the curriculum, the community, the faculty, or something specific from your interview day. Generic statements of interest are easy to write and easy to ignore.
Include meaningful updates
If anything significant has changed since you submitted — a new publication, a meaningful clinical experience, a leadership role, a significant academic achievement — include it briefly. Only include updates that genuinely strengthen your candidacy.
Keep it to one page
A LOCI should be brief and focused. One page or less. No need for a formal letter format — a professional email is appropriate.
Example LOCI structure
Opening: Reaffirm your strong interest and reference your interview date.
Body: One to two sentences on why this school specifically is your first choice. One to two sentences on any meaningful updates since you submitted.
Closing: Express your commitment to attending if accepted. Thank them for their continued consideration.
Application Updates
If something significant changes after you submit — a new publication, a meaningful clinical experience, a leadership role, or a significant academic achievement — send a brief update letter to the schools where you've interviewed.
Keep it factual and concise. Don't manufacture updates; only send one if the new information genuinely strengthens your candidacy.
Format: A brief professional email to the admissions office. Subject line: "Application Update — [Your Name], [Application Year]." Two to three sentences describing the update and why it's relevant to your application.
Ranking Schools and Making Your Decision
Curriculum model and teaching philosophy
Does the school's approach to medical education match how you learn best? Problem-based learning, traditional lecture, or a hybrid? Early clinical exposure or a more traditional pre-clinical/clinical split?
Geographic location and personal factors
Proximity to family, partner's career, cost of living, and the communities you'll serve during training all matter. Four years is a long time to be somewhere that doesn't fit your life.
Cost and financial aid
Medical school debt is significant. Compare total cost of attendance, scholarship offers, and loan repayment programs. A lower-ranked school with a generous scholarship may be a better long-term decision than a higher-ranked school with full debt.
Residency match outcomes
Review each school's match list for your specialty of interest. A school with strong match rates in your target specialty is more valuable than a school with a higher overall ranking but weaker outcomes in your field.
AAMC uniform notification policy: You may hold multiple acceptances until April 30. After that date, you must commit to one school and release the others. Use that time to visit in person if you can and talk to current students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I send a thank-you note after a medical school interview?
Yes. A brief, genuine thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview is appropriate and appreciated. Reference something specific from your conversation. Keep it to three to four sentences.
How long should a medical school interview thank-you note be?
Three to four sentences is ideal. Acknowledge the interview, reference something specific from your conversation, and reaffirm your interest in the school. Longer notes are not more effective.
What is a letter of continued interest?
A letter of continued interest (LOCI) is a brief letter sent to a school after you've been waitlisted. It reaffirms your strong interest in the school, mentions any meaningful updates to your application, and expresses your commitment to attending if accepted.
When should I send a letter of continued interest?
Send your LOCI within two to three weeks of receiving your waitlist notification — not immediately, and not months later. One well-crafted letter is more effective than repeated follow-ups.
Can I send application updates after I've been waitlisted?
Yes. If something significant changes after you submit — a new publication, a meaningful clinical experience, a leadership role, or a significant academic achievement — send a brief update letter. Only send one if the new information genuinely strengthens your candidacy.
How do I rank schools after receiving multiple acceptances?
Rank schools based on what matters most to you — curriculum model, geographic location, cost and financial aid, research opportunities, residency match rates, and student culture. Under AAMC's uniform notification policy, you may hold multiple acceptances until April 30.
Key takeaways
- 1.Send a brief, specific thank-you note within 24 hours of your interview. Reference something specific from your conversation.
- 2.A thank-you note will not save a bad interview — but it reinforces a good one and signals professionalism.
- 3.Being waitlisted is not a rejection. Waitlist movement is real.
- 4.Send one well-crafted letter of continued interest within two to three weeks of your waitlist notification.
- 5.Include meaningful updates in your LOCI — but only if they genuinely strengthen your candidacy.
- 6.Rank schools based on fit, not prestige alone. Curriculum, location, cost, and match outcomes all matter.
- 7.You may hold multiple acceptances until April 30 under AAMC's uniform notification policy.
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