Bare-bones update or update + interest?

[num76]

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I'm working on an update letter to send to 14 schools (12 post-interview, 2 pre-II). I have 2 new middle-author research publications since my applications/interviews. I'm wondering whether I should just list those and be on my merry way, or if it could help to include one or both of the following:

1. Follow-ups on gap year activities already mentioned in my apps/interviews (would really just be updated research & volunteering hours)
2. A short paragraph about my interest (I think I'll do this in some form for the pre-II schools; I'm wondering more for the post-interview ones)

I know this isn't going to make or break me either way, but I'm just not sure how much interest means at this point in the cycle, and I don't want to dilute my actual update or seem overly repetitive. Any help is much appreciated!

 

[Goro]

You sent them a LOR; they know you're interested.

Your wanting to tell several schools that "you're interested" shows you why Admissions deans treat those as worthless statements.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm working on an update letter to send to 14 schools (12 post-interview, 2 pre-II). I have 2 new middle-author research publications since my applications/interviews. I'm wondering whether I should just list those and be on my merry way, or if it could help to include one or both of the following:

1. Follow-ups on gap year activities already mentioned in my apps/interviews (would really just be updated research & volunteering hours)
2. A short paragraph about my interest (I think I'll do this in some form for the pre-II schools; I'm wondering more for the post-interview ones)

I know this isn't going to make or break me either way, but I'm just not sure how much interest means at this point in the cycle, and I don't want to dilute my actual update or seem overly repetitive. Any help is much appreciated!

Include the items in #1 as well. As to #2, I suggest limiting it to 1 sentence (which makes for a graceful closing comment), or two, if you have a particular school-specific reason why the school is a good fit for you.