Are final grades alone worthy of sending an update?

[karkatvantas]

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At this point, I'm only waiting to hear back from 4 schools (interviewed at 1, still waiting to hear back from the other 3). I've also been accepted to one other school.

As for many of you, my final grades were posted today. Are final grades alone worthy of sending an update? My concerns are as follows:

• Until a few hours ago, I had a 4.0. Got a B+ this term. Oops.
• I've been told that my lab will be publishing a paper with my name on it soon, but that certainly won't be until January or February at this point.
• Since six classes a semester has run through my financial aid at this point, I'm only taking 2 classes (6 credits total) in the Spring to finish up my degree requirements, and spending the rest of my time on volunteering and research. Figured I should update them on that as well, but that's not really "news."

Would schools view it suspiciously if I didn't send them a final grades update until I have some more interesting news to couple it with? I don't want to send them an update consisting solely of "I didn't do quite as well this term as before, oh, and I'm only taking 2 classes in the spring" without some more positive news to go along with it.

What do you folks think?

In case it affects your answer, the school I interviewed at is top 10, the other 3 are top 20. The one I was accepted to is top 50 (I sent them the update already since their update system is very simple and lets you do it through the website and I'm already in so I'm not worried).

Thanks

 

[wizedw]

I had a 3.9, got a 3.88... sent my grades because I still feel like it shows I'm doing well even though its ever so slightly lower. Also, ask your PI if you can talk about the paper in a letter and include his email so they can ask for validity if they really want to!

 

[bigdogrob4284]

I think you should definitely update then with your grades. Every update you send them shows your interested in the school and it gives them something new to look at when they review your file.

 

[karkatvantas]

I had a 3.9, got a 3.88... sent my grades because I still feel like it shows I'm doing well even though its ever so slightly lower. Also, ask your PI if you can talk about the paper in a letter and include his email so they can ask for validity if they really want to!

Oh, good idea! We've got a holiday party for the lab coming up this weekend. I'll ask him about it then and see what he says.