Bringing "Updates" to an interview

[BRRF]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Is it OK for me to, for example, bring in a printout of a paper I have recently published as well as a miniature version of a poster presentation I was in to the interview?

 

[flip26]

No.

If you want to "update" the adcom, then send an email telling them about it, and if it comes up in the interview, mention it.

But you would not ever send a copy of the actual article or a copy of the poster, right? So why would you burden an interviewer with that?

 

[austinap]

Yes to an update letter.
Yes to a copy of your paper.
No to the printout of your poster.

 

[BlueElmo]

I would wait until after the interview and email them or something to the admissions office.

 

[MrCheetah]

I wouldn't bring a sheet of paper with me. I would just *gasp* TELL THEM!!!

 

[medat101]

I verbally gave the interviewer an update on myself during the interview, and I usually phrased it like "I submitted the AMCAS early in the summer so I was unable to include the following XYZ" and they usually start scribbling like mad and asking me questions about this new job/activity. They really appreciated that I was telling them something new about myself that they couldn't just read off my app. I think it is even stronger than just sending in a letter because I can personally hype up the activity and get the person interested, so that when they go back to the adcom meeting they can say "wow, that girl had a ton on AMCAS plus she told me in her interview that she is now doing XYZ" - ACCEPTANCE! 😉

 

[gymtanlaundry]

Yes. It's a great idea because it's convenient. Many admissions deans will tell you to send updates when they give their spiel on interview day. I would give the update to the admissions receptionist who is in charge of maintaining the files, etc, don't hand it to your interviewer. You can simply tell them about it if it comes up.

 

[RevMD]

I verbally gave the interviewer an update on myself during the interview, and I usually phrased it like "I submitted the AMCAS early in the summer so I was unable to include the following XYZ" and they usually start scribbling like mad and asking me questions about this new job/activity. They really appreciated that I was telling them something new about myself that they couldn't just read off my app. I think it is even stronger than just sending in a letter because I can personally hype up the activity and get the person interested, so that when they go back to the adcom meeting they can say "wow, that girl had a ton on AMCAS plus she told me in her interview that she is now doing XYZ" - ACCEPTANCE! 😉

Assuming you have a strong app already and you started receiving interviews early in the cycle (August, September), then this would be the best approach to somehow squeeze the update when the opportunity presents itself in the interview (perhaps when during "tell me more about yourself" question). I would suggest sending a follow-up email after the interview just to make sure there are no discrepancies between what the interviewer wrote down or if there was anything that was left out.

But, if you do not receive any interviews by October, then I would certainly take the time to email them an update. Leaving the adcoms in the dark is not going to do you any favors. These extra ECs you did during the summer or at the start of the semester could be the difference between getting an interview or being put on "hold."

When going to an interview, I would not take anything more than yourself and a reliable pen. Everything else stays home or at the hotel room.

 

[MaryLennox]

i would definitely just tell the interviewer. they are the ones who are most likely to relay the message to the right people (aka the committee.) i think actually bringing materials along is over the top. plus, by just mentioning it, it gives you the opportunity to actually describe your research to them, rather than just giving them papers they probably won't look at. they have enough to read/do- they want to form their opinion of you during the interview, not after it.

my paper got accepted for publication, like, 2 days before an interview. i just told the interviewer. she thought it was great, made a note of it in my file . . . i got accepted 👍

 

[BlueElmo]

Oh yes, or just tell the interviewer, like others are saying. Once you tell them updates, they start scribbling on their notes.

 

[ElegantWeapon]

I kind of like a verbal update to the interviewer, giving you interesting things to talk about, but then saving hardcopy/proof/and or a written statement for an additional letter to the admissions office. I feel like every time you send something into the admissions office there is a way to make them feel like you really want to go there/are a top choice etc, bceause there is always room to say that in a letter explaining what you are sending.

anyway, just my 2cents-it has worked for me so far

 

[JJMrK]

I wouldn't had an interviewer a copy of your paper. Chances are they don't want to read it.

 

[BRRF]

OK! Thanks everyone!
Pretty unanimous response here.

 

[MrCheetah]

I verbally gave the interviewer an update on myself during the interview, and I usually phrased it like "I submitted the AMCAS early in the summer so I was unable to include the following XYZ" and they usually start scribbling like mad and asking me questions about this new job/activity. They really appreciated that I was telling them something new about myself that they couldn't just read off my app. I think it is even stronger than just sending in a letter because I can personally hype up the activity and get the person interested, so that when they go back to the adcom meeting they can say "wow, that girl had a ton on AMCAS plus she told me in her interview that she is now doing XYZ" - ACCEPTANCE! 😉

Actually, that is EXACTLY what happened with me, too. I would suggest verbally telling them about it in your interview and hoping they make note of it and present it to the committee. If you don't hear you're accepted from that school in, say, a month then send in a letter of interest which includes it.