Are these good enough to put on update letter??

[golgi body]

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In the time since I submitted my apps, I have been involved in a couple of things that I wonder are worthy of sending in an update letter.

First, I started volunteering with an organization that conducts flu vaccine clinics at the public schools in the surrounding area. I spent ~5 hrs/week at different schools collecting and organizing vaccine forms. During all of October is when the clinics are held so I have been helping run those. Total hours will probably come out to ~40.

Second, a research paper that I am a co-author on is being submitted for publication review.

Should I send these updates to schools? If so, should I do it now or at the end of the semester when I can also send in grade updates?

Thanks

 

[Verity]

Cross your fingers for a quick review, and submit an update only if actually *accepted* (with no revisions)

I think it'd be fine to tack on the new volunteering on the pub accepted update letter

 

[golgi body]

Cross your fingers for a quick review, and submit an update only if actually *accepted* (with no revisions)

I think it'd be fine to tack on the new volunteering on the pub accepted update letter

So you're saying it's better to wait until the paper is actually published, in which case I'd wait until then to also update my new volunteering? My PI said review should be done at the end of semester.

My rationale in updating now is that this paper has been a work in progress for the past 3 years and I didn't indicate that on AMCAS. I would like admissions to know that my lab work for the past few years are resulting in a pub (and hopefully they can get this info before sending rejections).

 

[ODea]

So you're saying it's better to wait until the paper is actually published, in which case I'd wait until then to also update my new volunteering? My PI said review should be done at the end of semester.

My rationale in updating now is that this paper has been a work in progress for the past 3 years and I didn't indicate that on AMCAS. I would like admissions to know that my lab work for the past few years

are resulting in a pub (and hopefully they can get this info before sending rejections).

Yes, I PERSONALLY would wait until it's published but if I'm sure putting it on won't do any harm either.

 

[Isoval]

I personally think that this warrants an update letter at this point in the cycle.

Assuming your paper is accepted without revision - which is relatively rare (many journals report 30-odd percent?) - that already puts you into December/January when the MD cycle is beginning to draw to a close, you’ll be sending an update email fighting for the scraps at places where you have not yet heard from (Feb/March interviews).

EDIT: I’m also just a dumb Pre-Med so take my opinion with a grain of salt

 

[golgi body]

I personally think that this warrants an update letter at this point in the cycle.

Assuming your paper is accepted without revision - which is relatively rare (many journals report 30-odd percent?) - that already puts you into December/January when the MD cycle is beginning to draw to a close, you’ll be sending an update email fighting for the scraps at places where you have not yet heard from (Feb/March interviews).

That's what I was thinking. At least they'll know I've been working on a paper.

 

[Catalystik]

In the time since I submitted my apps, I have been involved in a couple of things that I wonder are worthy of sending in an update letter.

First, I started volunteering with an organization that conducts flu vaccine clinics at the public schools in the surrounding area. I spent ~5 hrs/week at different schools collecting and organizing vaccine forms. During all of October is when the clinics are held so I have been helping run those. Total hours will probably come out to ~40.

Second, a research paper that I am a co-author on is being submitted for publication review.

Should I send these updates to schools? If so, should I do it now or at the end of the semester when I can also send in grade updates?

Thanks

Reporting a submitted manuscript won't improve your odds. And face it, you may send it to multiple journals before you see success. But you need not wait until it appears in print. When you receive an acceptance letter, it's worth sending an update.

For now, plan to wait until the end of the term to give an update on grades, your vaccine initiative, and other ECs you've augmented since mentioning them on the application.

 

[hubbsbubbs]

Reporting a submitted manuscript won't improve your odds. And face it, you may send it to multiple journals before you see success. But you need not wait until it appears in print. When you receive an acceptance letter, it's worth sending an update.

For now, plan to wait until the end of the term to give an update on grades, your vaccine initiative, and other ECs you've augmented since mentioning them on the application.

I would agree. At least have an acceptance letter in hand. Also 40 hours of volunteering isn't much of an update imo
I sent out a wave of update letters last month and got a rejection a day later from one of the schools, likely because my application was reviewed more thoroughly at the time (or my update was insufficient/unimpressive). Caution > eagnerness