Employment Change: Update Letter?

[lunasan]

Hey SDNers!

I've completed my apps since August/September and originally stated that I'd spend my gap year working in a research lab and serving the community. I decided to take a Behavior Tech position for an ABA Autism Center instead, would this be a good reason to submit an update letter to schools?

I've been on hold for one school and rejected from another, and I haven't heard back from the remaining ~20 schools. Any help would be much appreciated!

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[Catalystik]

I've completed my apps since August/September and originally stated that I'd spend my gap year working in a research lab and serving the community. I decided to take a Behavior Tech position for an ABA Autism Center instead, would this be a good reason to submit an update letter to schools?

I've been on hold for one school and rejected from another, and I haven't heard back from the remaining ~20 schools. Any help would be much appreciated!

Since your research and clinical experience are already above average, I don't see the job switch as being either a positive or a negative right now. I suggest that you wait until a few months go by to be sure you make it past the probation period for new employees before updating, or at least wait for fall grades to come out, if you're still in school.

 

[lunasan]

(deleted, posted twice on accident)

 

[lunasan]

Since your research and clinical experience are already above average, I don't see the job switch as being either a positive or a negative right now. I suggest that you wait until a few months go by to be sure you make it past the probation period for new employees before updating, or at least wait for fall grades to come out, if you're still in school.

Thanks for the advice @Catalystik! Would you mind clarifying what's an average amount of research and clinical experience?
I also have ~100-200 hours in community service, and while this definitely isn't community service, I wonder if it's worth noting that I have the chance to assist others needing special help. A lot of schools I'd love to attend emphasize serving others and helping disadvantaged populations.

 

[Catalystik]

Thanks for the advice @Catalystik! Would you mind clarifying
1) what's an average amount of research and clinical experience?
I also have ~100-200 hours in community service, and while this definitely isn't community service,
2) I wonder if it's worth noting that I have the chance to assist others needing special help. A lot of schools I'd love to attend emphasize serving others and helping disadvantaged populations.

1) Average for research is 1 year. Average for clinical volunteering is about 150 hours over 1.5 years.

2) It will be worth noting. It will add additional breadth to your application. Eventually. Just starting a new gig isn't especially noteworthy.

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

1) Average for research is 1 year. Average for clinical volunteering is about 150 hours over 1.5 years.

2) It will be worth noting. It will add additional breadth to your application. Eventually. Just starting a new gig isn't especially noteworthy.

What's the average for non-clinical volunteering?

 

[Catalystik]

What's the average for non-clinical volunteering?

Sorry, but I'm unable to be specific. It's been rising over the last ten years. I recall when I was happy to see at least 50.

 

[triangular390]

Since your research and clinical experience are already above average, I don't see the job switch as being either a positive or a negative right now. I suggest that you wait until a few months go by to be sure you make it past the probation period for new employees before updating, or at least wait for fall grades to come out, if you're still in school.

Apologies for hijacking this thread, but I'm in a similar situation with starting a new position and would also like some advice on when to send the update. I recently started working on a new study that gives me a ton of face-time with patients and families (administering surveys). I have only had 1 interview so far, so I was hoping to send in an update letter this week or next to schools. I think it's particularly important I send it to schools that asked "what are you doing for your gap year" in their secondaries because when I submitted them (around July/August) I hadn't officially heard back from this study yet so I was kind of in limbo. Anyhow, I would appreciate any tips/advice you can offer on when to send in an update, if I should at all. Thanks!

 

[Catalystik]

Apologies for hijacking this thread, but I'm in a similar situation with starting a new position and would also like some advice on when to send the update. I recently started working on a new study that gives me a ton of face-time with patients and families (administering surveys). I have only had 1 interview so far, so I was hoping to send in an update letter this week or next to schools. I think it's particularly important I send it to schools that asked "what are you doing for your gap year" in their secondaries because when I submitted them (around July/August) I hadn't officially heard back from this study yet so I was kind of in limbo. Anyhow, I would appreciate any tips/advice you can offer on when to send in an update, if I should at all. Thanks!

How recently did you start the new position and how many hours so far? Are you lacking in active clinical experience or research?

You you perceive yourself as weak in any (other) area that you've beefed up since applying?

Are you in school and expecting grades for fall term? If yes, is your GPA/BCPM GPA on the weak side or strong?

 

[DokterMom]

If you're debating whether something is 'newsworthy' enough to merit sending an update, be sure to consider the timing. You don't want to be a pest, so one update, maybe two is all you get. You want to time your update in such a way as to move your application over whatever hurdle you think may currently be holding you back.

So no interview invite yet? Look at the school-specific threads to see how they generally time their invitations and get your update in a few weeks before their last round if they're winding down.

Haven't heard back post-interview? When and how do they hand out acceptances? Rolling? Batches? When are they likely to be reviewing your application? On the wait list and it's late spring?

 

[triangular390]

How recently did you start the new position and how many hours so far? Are you lacking in active clinical experience or research?

You you perceive yourself as weak in any (other) area that you've beefed up since applying?

Are you in school and expecting grades for fall term? If yes, is your GPA/BCPM GPA on the weak side or strong?

I just started this week, so not many hours yet. Would it be better to wait and have more hours to send in the update? I'm not lacking in clinical experience/research. Not sure if this matters but almost all of my previous clinical experience was in a children's hospital, so this would be my first experience with adult patients.

My weakest area is my GPA. Out of school and completed a post-bacc, so no more grades to update schools with. My cumulative/science is around 3.4 (PB GPA was 3.86). I am trying to demonstrate my other strengths to med schools, and wanted to demonstrate my continued interest in the medical field throughout my gap year. I was hoping this update it may help my app get reviewed again or nudged from the "hold" to "interview" pile.

 

[Catalystik]

I just started this week, so not many hours yet.
1) Would it be better to wait and have more hours to send in the update? I'm not lacking in clinical experience/research.
2) Not sure if this matters but almost all of my previous clinical experience was in a children's hospital, so this would be my first experience with adult patients.

My weakest area is my GPA. Out of school and completed a post-bacc, so no more grades to update schools with. My cumulative/science is around 3.4 (PB GPA was 3.86). I am trying to demonstrate my other strengths to med schools, and wanted to demonstrate my continued interest in the medical field throughout my gap year. I was hoping this update it may help my app get reviewed again or nudged from the "hold" to "interview" pile.

1) Yes, I think you should wait a few more weeks. If you're already strong in both clinical experience and research, the information won't make a critical difference.

2) I doubt it will make a difference to your application, but broadening your experience in medicine is a benefit to you.

 

[Goro]

Hey SDNers!

I've completed my apps since August/September and originally stated that I'd spend my gap year working in a research lab and serving the community. I decided to take a Behavior Tech position for an ABA Autism Center instead, would this be a good reason to submit an update letter to schools?

No

 

[triangular390]

1) Yes, I think you should wait a few more weeks. If you're already strong in both clinical experience and research, the information won't make a critical difference.

2) I doubt it will make a difference to your application, but broadening your experience in medicine is a benefit to you.

Thank you for your input!

 

[Catalystik]

Thank you for your input!

Happy to help.