Letter of intent? Forum

[acdisagod]

If one school is your absolute top choice is it a good idea to send them a letter of intent notifying them that you will withdraw your other applications if admitted?

[BenJ]

As long as that is the absolute truth, yes, it's a good idea. At most schools, it will help, sometimes significantly, and at no schools will it hurt.

[acdisagod]

I plan on sending it to Penn. I was really close to applying ED there but went with NYU instead. Didn't turn out well lol.

[acdisagod]

Any other opinions? Sry for the shameless bump but considering sending the letter tommorow.

[Mr. Matlock]

Any other opinions? Sry for the shameless bump but considering sending the letter tommorow.

Doesn't matter. If you have the acceptance and are convinced this is your future, send in your seat deposit.

/thread

[acdisagod]

I haven't been accepted yet, that's the point.

[Doritos]

I bet it won't help as much as applying ED does but I imagine it helps.

[los blancos]

I bet it won't help as much as applying ED does but I imagine it helps.

TBH I can't really see the difference. Perhaps ED is a stronger contract, but they both basically mean the same thing, and schools can probably use both to similar effect if you try to get out of it.

Theoretically, I would think this type of move helps more as you go lower in the rankings. Yale probably won't care much since their yield is already insane, but just look at the UVa thread for how much ED can change your chances.


OP: I made a binding statement in one of my PSs at a school that's a reach, but not a total impossibility. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[Doritos]

I bet it won't help as much as applying ED does but I imagine it helps.

TBH I can't really see the difference. Perhaps ED is a stronger contract, but they both basically mean the same thing, and schools can probably use both to similar effect if you try to get out of it.

Theoretically, I would think this type of move helps more as you go lower in the rankings. Yale probably won't care much since their yield is already insane, but just look at the UVa thread for how much ED can change your chances.


OP: I made a binding statement in one of my PSs at a school that's a reach, but not a total impossibility. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I think it doesn't help as much as ED because if it did who in their right mind would ED? Why limit your chances and potential for scholarship money when a one page non-binding statement would have the same effect?

Also, I applied ED so I need this to be true or I will be very angry with myself and others.

[los blancos]

I bet it won't help as much as applying ED does but I imagine it helps.

TBH I can't really see the difference. Perhaps ED is a stronger contract, but they both basically mean the same thing, and schools can probably use both to similar effect if you try to get out of it.

Theoretically, I would think this type of move helps more as you go lower in the rankings. Yale probably won't care much since their yield is already insane, but just look at the UVa thread for how much ED can change your chances.


OP: I made a binding statement in one of my PSs at a school that's a reach, but not a total impossibility. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I think it doesn't help as much as ED because if it did who in their right mind would ED? Why limit your chances and potential for scholarship money when a one page non-binding statement would have the same effect?

Also, I applied ED so I need this to be true or I will be very angry with myself and others.

Ok, there's one of two scenarios here:
1) I'm an idiot and I'm somehow missing a nuance of this argument (very possible and I'm leaning towards this)
2) You're assuming that making this type of statement doesn't carry the same binding aspect on the applicant, which is debatable, but I think it does. And you still probably greatly limit your chances for scholly $$$ the same as if you ED (total assumption here)

TBH, I would see this as a disadvantage to ED. With ED, you at least usually know that you're going to find out within a defined timeframe, and once you're deferred in any way, the binding commitment is removed.

[Doritos]

But my thinking is the ED is a binding contractual agreement which could be enforced on the applicant. A letter of intent doesn't carry the same weight. It's not enforceable the way a signed contract is right? It's just a letter. I can go back on my word and I'm just a shady dude. If I go back on a contract that's a completely different thing.

[newyorker88]

I bet it won't help as much as applying ED does but I imagine it helps.

+1

[Panther7]

i did it, so it's not like nobody ever does it.

[los blancos]

But my thinking is the ED is a binding contractual agreement which could be enforced on the applicant. A letter of intent doesn't carry the same weight. It's not enforceable the way a signed contract is right? It's just a letter. I can go back on my word and I'm just a shady dude. If I go back on a contract that's a completely different thing.

There was actually a short discussion on this in another thread not too long ago. Though hardly a definitive answer, a 1L claimed that a letter of intent could be construed as a contract. To me (clueless 0L), that makes sense, since you basically sign off on the truth of your entire application at the end of the apps.

Even if that's not the case, imagine if you commit to school A, who then gets upset when they accept you but you end up going to school B. Just like ED, I think school A is definitely in a position to contact school B and get your acceptance revoked. (all speculation)

[acdisagod]

Ok, thanks a lot for the input. I just wanted to make sure Penn wouldn't be like: why is this idiot essentially making his own ED contract.