Benefit of sending updates

[johnnytest]

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Just curious about what happens when sending updates to schools.

By now, I am assuming most of the schools that have been silent have already reviewed my application. Also assuming, I have not been rejected, some schools mentioned updates are added to the application file.

When an update is added to a file, I am guessing it forces at some point someone to review it again. Assuming this reviewer is different from the first then this could be beneficial because someone else gives their perspective on the applicant. So, if someone was not able to impress the first reviewer then an update letter provides a second opportunity with someone new. If it's the same person then it's probably unlikely they will be impressed either way. Maybe this is why many people claim they received an II after sending an update..

Anyway, just my speculation.

 

[ski89]

Bump. I have thought about this as well and am curious to hear what people think

 

[gyngyn]

It's just more work for the administrative assistants.

 

[ski89]

It's just more work for the administrative assistants.

So are you saying that some admin just adds your update to your file while you stay in the same cue so-to-speak?

 

[I'm not a cat]

I heard from an administrator that the best time to give updates or letters of interest is after you have been waitlisted to a school. If you did something incredibly big that will capture the attention of the admissions committee, don't hesitate and update them immediately (waiting to be waitlisted would be unnecessary). But, if it is something small and negligible, it may be seen as negligible to the committee so they won't bother adding it to your application. To take the time out of their day, a typical day involves going through many apps, you should probably have something valuable to share with them. Otherwise, it really doesn't add much value to your app.

What's valuable or not? I'm not sure—that's up to the admissions committee! I won't even try to list things that I would find valuable.

 

[UCUCUC]

For schools that accept updates, I don't think sending an update can hurt. Especially during this time of the cycle, an update to schools might be worth a shot.

invaluable

might want to check the definition of invaluable.

 

[K1NG]

How about updating that you have shadowed a few doctors? I hadn't shadowed when I submitted my application but still had strong clinical exposure. I applied to 15 schools and so far 1 waitlist and 1 rejection... getting a little paranoid now

 

[I'm not a cat]

For schools that accept updates, I don't think sending an update can hurt. Especially during this time of the cycle, an update to schools might be worth a shot.



might want to check the definition of invaluable.

Haha that's too funny! Thanks for catching that. There must be a reason I sucked so hard at verbal...

How about updating that you have shadowed a few doctors? I hadn't shadowed when I submitted my application but still had strong clinical exposure. I applied to 15 schools and so far 1 waitlist and 1 rejection... getting a little paranoid now

I would go ahead and send an update to the one you're waitlisted at

 

[Lysinee]

How about updating that you have shadowed a few doctors? I hadn't shadowed when I submitted my application but still had strong clinical exposure. I applied to 15 schools and so far 1 waitlist and 1 rejection... getting a little paranoid now

I would email them a short paragraph about your recent shadowing experiences and that you are very interested in attending the school. Maybe give a reason or two why this school is a good fit.

 

[K1NG]

Awesome, working on an update letter as we speak haha. Going to submit it as soon as I can. I haven't heard anything else otherwise from any of the schools and it's getting a little scary. Especially when family and friends keep asking me about it

 

[Holmwood]

I know this is speculation, but bear with me.

I've sent two updates, one big and one small.

For the big one (4 entries), all the schools were courteous enough to tell me they added it to my file.
The small one (1 entry), I've only heard back from a few that they were added to my file. The rest were mum.

This may mean that the administrative staff are not receptive to updates if they are not significant. I'm afraid with the last mini update, I may have annoyed quite a bit of them. . . lol.

So my advice (as others have said) is that if you feel the update will greatly benefit your application (first author publication, notable awards, etc), you should include it. If it's not going to be anything noteworthy (new volunteering, learning new language, starting research, etc), don't make too much work for the already overworked adcoms. : )

 

[johnnytest]

I know this is speculation, but bear with me.

I've sent two updates, one big and one small.

For the big one (4 entries), all the schools were courteous enough to tell me they added it to my file.
The small one (1 entry), I've only heard back from a few that they were added to my file. The rest were mum.

This may mean that the administrative staff are not receptive to updates if they are not significant. I'm afraid with the last mini update, I may have annoyed quite a bit of them. . . lol.

So my advice (as others have said) is that if you feel the update will greatly benefit your application (first author publication, notable awards, etc), you should include it. If it's not going to be anything noteworthy (new volunteering, learning new language, starting research, etc), don't make too much work for the already overworked adcoms. : )

What do you mean by entries exactly?

 

[Holmwood]

What do you mean by entries exactly?

Meaning 4 updates into one letter. Or one update in one letter.
I realized that it isn't the number that's important. If that one entry was a first authorship or something, of course it would trump 4 nonsense entries.

In the end, it probably won't benefit you nearly as much as you think. I suspect that even a nature publication won't save a rancid primary/secondary or subpar stats. No use seasoning expired meat. It's a letter of intent in disguise perhaps.