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Copyright © 2013 Office of Career & Professional Development, University of California, San Francisco. Career.ucsf.edu
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epared by Naledi Saul & Kathleen Cassidy. Naledi.[email protected]u. Do not reprint without permission.
Writing a Letter of Intent for a Pharmacy Residency Program
What is the purpose of a Letter of Intent?
A Letter of Intent is a one page document that expresses your interest in completing a particular residency program. After reading your letter, a residency director
understands:
• Why you are pursuing residency
• Why their specific residency program is a top choice
• Your goals during residency
• Which of your skills and experiences will help you be successful in the program
• Your future plans after residency (and how the training and experiences in this program will help you achieve those goals)
How is a Letter of Intent different from a Cover Letter or Personal Statement?
People use the terms interchangeably, which can be confusing. As the matrix on page two shows, Letters of Intent, Cover Letters and Personal Statements have
both some overlap and some distinct features in regards to their focus, format and length. The key takeway is this: Letters or Intent differ from Cover Letters in
terms of focus. Letters of Intent primary vary from Personal Statements in terms of format. Let’s look at what that means a little more closely:
• Letters or Intent differ from Cover Letters in terms of focus:
For example, a retail pharmacy or hospital position (who are employers who want Cover Letters) hiring a new pharmacist will want to know how your
training, skills and experience will benefit their organizations and patients. They will be less interested in how their pharmacy position will help you
develop as a professional (which a training program would be interested in). This is the key difference between training and employment opportunities.
• Letters or Intent differ from Personal Statements in terms of format:|
A graduate program (which often requests a Personal Statement) will want a one page document in an essay format, rather than a business letter format
(A business format includes a date, the address of the employer, and your address at the top of the page, and a salutation [sincerely, etc.] and your name
at the bottom of the page). But like Personal Statements, a Letter of Intent will include (several sentences/a paragraph) about experiences and interests
that led you to pursing a professional field, why the organization’s focus will help you achieve your personal and professional goals, how your skills and
experience prepared you to succeed in the program and your long term professional goals will be met by attending the program.
Additionally, Personal Statements have a chronological narrative format, while Letters of Intent use a more structured ‘argument’ format. Chronological
narratives can sometimes begin with your childhood, or a story, and weave it’s way around to illustrate who you are and what is important to you. Letters
of Intent usually have a tighter format, where you clearly articulate your goals after residency, and how your skills and experiences have prepared you for
the clinical, research, teaching, or interpersonal challenges you will face in residency.
Have a look at the sample Letters of Intent on page three to illustrate these points.