Résumés, Cover Letters, Interviews: Letters of Intent

A letter of intent is similar to a cover letter so many of the principles for writing them apply to this type of communication as well. They both include the purpose for writing, the reason for applying to that particular program, and the writer’s qualifications. However, the letter of intent also defines the writer’s career goals, her/his professional experience, and what s/he will bring to the program.

You letter should be brief (remember that yours will probably be one of hundreds that need to be read) and should run no more than one page. Organize it into three areas:

• Introduce yourself. Include what school you currently attend and state your career goals, especially ones that this program offers. (This will help determine whether the program is a good fit to reach those goals.). Write how you learned about the program and why you are enthusiastic about it.
• State your credentials. Tell the reader why you should be considered for this program. What unique and/or formative experiences have prepared your for advanced training? What sets you apart from other applicants?
• What you will bring to the program. Be as specific as possible about what attributes, knowledge or abilities you can contribute to the institution and practice.

As with other types of cover letters, it is important not to use the same letter for each program. You should tailor your letter to meet the needs of the particular residency/program for which you are applying. For example, if you’ve attended the ASHP Mid-Year Clinical Meeting, you may highlight some things you learned during your discussions there. Make sure you sound like you really want to be part of their team and that you feel you have something to contribute while you’re there.

Professional Pearls for Writing a Pharmacy Residency Letter of Intent discusses how to prepare a letter and includes an example.

Here’s another example of a pharmacy residency letter of intent.

Writing a Letter of Intent for Pharmacy Residency programs from the University of California at San Francisco.

Some guidance on writing Letters of Intent from the University of California, Berkeley Career Center