Is significant update necessary to get into dream medical school post interview? Already sending letter of intent

[PreMedStudent55555]

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Had my interview at my dream medical school already. They are a non-rolling medical school so they get back to me in March. I love the school a ton. I already plan on sending a letter of intent. However, I want to mix in an update into my letter of intent but I literally have nothing significant going on in the next few months.

I'm going to continue to commit myself to the responsibilities that I committed myself to during my gap year and let medical schools know about already. My question is: Should I worry about not having a significant update? I might send them updated hours on my commitments and how I shadowed a few other specialties but that's it. I don't expect and publications out soon unfortunately.

EDIT: I plan to send out the LOI in January since they send decisions in March

 

[SeaHusky]

Had my interview at my dream medical school already. They are a non-rolling medical school so they get back to me in March. I love the school a ton. I already plan on sending a letter of intent. However, I want to mix in an update into my letter of intent but I literally have nothing significant going on in the next few months.

I'm going to continue to commit myself to the responsibilities that I committed myself to during my gap year and let medical schools know about already. My question is: Should I worry about not having a significant update? I might send them updated hours on my commitments and how I shadowed a few other specialties but that's it. I don't expect and publications out soon unfortunately.

Personally, I'd only send an update if you've been waitlisted. Gives you more time to accumulate hours and prevents you from wasting a potentially valuable update when you don't even know their decision yet.

Also, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think letters of intent really mean much unless you have another acceptance already in hand. The school already knows you're interested; you applied and interviewed! Sending an LOI without another competing acceptance just kind of looks like desperation, no?

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

Personally, I'd only send an update if you've been waitlisted. Gives you more time to accumulate hours and prevents you from wasting a potentially valuable update when you don't even know their decision yet.

Also, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think letters of intent really mean much unless you have another acceptance already in hand. The school already knows you're interested; you applied and interviewed! Sending an LOI without another competing acceptance just kind of looks like desperation, no?

Gotcha. I’m expecting to hear back from schools on October 15. If I thankfully (and hopefully) got acceptances then. Would it be a good idea to send a LOI in January to let them know they’re my top choice. They get back to me in March

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

Also can someone give confirm that updates should be send after a WL? @LizzyM @Goro

 

[Goro]

SIGNIFICANT updates should be sent after a WL to schools that accept them

FTFY

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

FTFY

Gotcha. Wait do LOI need to include an update? From what I’ve seen it’s pretty much declaring the school your top choice and that you would go there if accepted and then explaining why. Do I need to include any updates or such in the LOI?

 

[SeaHusky]

Gotcha. I’m expecting to hear back from schools on October 15. If I thankfully (and hopefully) got acceptances then. Would it be a good idea to send a LOI in January to let them know they’re my top choice. They get back to me in March

I'm a bit fuzzy on the timing of updates. I've searched throughout SDN and Premeddit, and there's conflicting information/no consensus on the best time to send updates other than significant ones that warrant an immediate update (i.e. publications). @Goro @gyngyn @LizzyM will be of much more use than I in terms of advise on this.

 

[Goro]

Gotcha. Wait do LOI need to include an update? From what I’ve seen it’s pretty much declaring the school your top choice and that you would go there if accepted and then explaining why. Do I need to include any updates or such in the LOI?

Read this about LOI:
HomeSkool's Guide to Letters of Intent

Second letter of intent? Help!

So I got an interview to a school back in January and was waitlisted in February. I loved the school and sent a letter of intent because of all the schools I had interviewed at, it was definitely my first choice. BUT, then I received an II from my absolute favorite school that was a reach and I...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

I'm a bit fuzzy on the timing of updates. I've searched throughout SDN and Premeddit, and there's conflicting information/no consensus on the best time to send updates other than significant ones that warrant an immediate update (i.e. publications). @Goro @gyngyn @LizzyM will be of much more use than I in terms of advise on this.

Understood. Thanks for your input! Appreciated!

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

The guide is the funniest thing I’ve seen all day. @Goro

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

Wait @Goro Homeskool’s guide only talks about the scenario where you’re waitlisted at your dream school. What if you’re waiting on a decision from them and have acceptances. Is it okay to send a LOI in that time frame?

 

[ChymeofPassion]

Wait @Goro Homeskool’s guide only talks about the scenario where you’re waitlisted at your dream school. What if you’re waiting on a decision from them and have acceptances. Is it okay to send a LOI in that time frame?

Is this a dream school in the sense that it's a low ranked school you need to attend for personal reason, or a dream school like a top 10. For the latter, why would Harvard care about a letter of intent, they know damn well everyone they interviewed intends to go if accepted.

 

[Moko]

Is significant update necessary to get into dream medical school post interview?

No, absolutely not necessary if the initial application is sufficient for acceptance. For those on the fence, significant updates may help.

Letter of intents are fairly useless, especially early on. Words are cheap, and applicants routinely change their mind on a moments notice once they learn of scholarships and/or acceptances at other more prestigious schools.

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

Is this a dream school in the sense that it's a low ranked school you need to attend for personal reason, or a dream school like a top 10. For the latter, why would Harvard care about a letter of intent, they know damn well everyone they interviewed intends to go if accepted.

Top 10. Idk I heard it helps lol. I just want to let them know I love themmm

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

No, absolutely not necessary if the initial application is sufficient for acceptance. For those on the fence, significant updates may help.

Letter of intents are fairly useless, especially early on. Words are cheap, and applicants routinely change their mind on a moments notice once they learn of scholarships and/or acceptances at other more prestigious schools.

Ok. This answered all of my questions. Thank you!

 

[jfijiefjieji]

Personally, I'd only send an update if you've been waitlisted. Gives you more time to accumulate hours and prevents you from wasting a potentially valuable update when you don't even know their decision yet.

Also, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think letters of intent really mean much unless you have another acceptance already in hand. The school already knows you're interested; you applied and interviewed! Sending an LOI without another competing acceptance just kind of looks like desperation, no?

How would schools even know you have no competing acceptances?

 

[SeaHusky]

How would schools even know you have no competing acceptances?

They wouldn’t. Which is why the effectiveness of LOIs are hotly debated.

 

[Engrailed]

Read this about LOI:
HomeSkool's Guide to Letters of Intent

Second letter of intent? Help!

So I got an interview to a school back in January and was waitlisted in February. I loved the school and sent a letter of intent because of all the schools I had interviewed at, it was definitely my first choice. BUT, then I received an II from my absolute favorite school that was a reach and I...

forums.studentdoctor.net

🤣

 

[notsobabydoc]

Personally, I'd only send an update if you've been waitlisted. Gives you more time to accumulate hours and prevents you from wasting a potentially valuable update when you don't even know their decision yet.

Also, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think letters of intent really mean much unless you have another acceptance already in hand. The school already knows you're interested; you applied and interviewed! Sending an LOI without another competing acceptance just kind of looks like desperation, no?

How would they know what other acceptances you got? LOI is to show that if you have to choose, even in hypotheticals, you will pick them.

 

[Goro]

Wait @Goro Homeskool’s guide only talks about the scenario where you’re waitlisted at your dream school. What if you’re waiting on a decision from them and have acceptances. Is it okay to send a LOI in that time frame?

It's the same for any school. Admissions Deans know these are lies. How would you interpret non binding contract from a desperate applicant?

 

[notsobabydoc]

It's the same for any school. Admissions Deans know these are lies. How would you interpret non binding contract from a desperate applicant?

non-binding is by definition not a contract lol

 

[Tenk]

You should only send a LOI on a full moon when you have sacrificed three chickens and prayed to Goro’s cat for 7 hours. Otherwise they are useless.

Or maybe they are pretty much always useless. I forget.

 

[Goro]

You should only send a LOI on a full moon when you have sacrificed three chickens and prayed to Goro’s cat for 7 hours. Otherwise they are useless.

Or maybe they are pretty much always useless. I forget.

😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆

 

[Goro]

How would they know what other acceptances you got? LOI is to show that if you have to choose, even in hypotheticals, you will pick them.

They know from experience that this carries as much weight as the guy saying to the hot chick "but I'll still respect you in the morning!"

As a parent, I learned early on that words are easy, doing is harder.

 

[notsobabydoc]

They know from experience that this carries as much weight as the guy saying to the hot chick "but I'll still respect you in the morning!"

As a parent, I learned early on that words are easy, doing is harder.

right I completely agree. I just wanted to point out that schools actually don't know you have multiple acceptances and probably assume you don't unless you are a very top candidate. In that case, an LOI is moot as well. One of my top schools said they put zero weight on those letters.

 

[moldydorito]

right I completely agree. I just wanted to point out that schools actually don't know you have multiple acceptances and probably assume you don't unless you are a very top candidate. In that case, an LOI is moot as well. One of my top schools said they put zero weight on those letters.

At one of my interview (t5 school) they literally told us they consider these letters and that we should submit them “at the end of the interview season”. What would be considered the end of interview season? Trying to figure out when to submit.

 

[Goro]

At one of my interview (t5 school) they literally told us they consider these letters and that we should submit them “at the end of the interview season”. What would be considered the end of interview season? Trying to figure out when to submit.

For needy schools, or those that like seeing candidates grovel, wait until springtime.

 

[gyngyn]

At one of my interview (t5 school) they literally told us they consider these letters and that we should submit them “at the end of the interview season”. What would be considered the end of interview season? Trying to figure out when to submit.

April 30th.

 

[moldydorito]

April 30th.

Would it hurt to send it earlier like December/January before they make decisions in March?

 

[gyngyn]

Would it hurt to send it earlier like December/January before they make decisions in March?

If they told you to send it at the end of the cycle, I recommend April 30th.

 

[moldydorito]

If they told you to send it at the end of the cycle, I recommend April 30th.

It sounded more like they wanted it once I was done with interviews. They said something like “if once you are done with all your interviews and you feel like we are where you want to be, then feel free to send us a letter stating your interest”

 

[notsobabydoc]

It sounded more like they wanted it once I was done with interviews. They said something like “if once you are done with all your interviews and you feel like we are where you want to be, then feel free to send us a letter stating your interest”

do what they say, seriously. if you know you want to go there, send it. Don't burn your bridge later if you do that and end up not going.

 

[deleted972488]

At one of my interview (t5 school) they literally told us they consider these letters and that we should submit them “at the end of the interview season”. What would be considered the end of interview season? Trying to figure out when to submit.

It sounded more like they wanted it once I was done with interviews. They said something like “if once you are done with all your interviews and you feel like we are where you want to be, then feel free to send us a letter stating your interest”

Saying “feel free” to do something isn’t the same thing as saying you “should” do something.

 

[moldydorito]

Saying “feel free” to do something isn’t the same thing as saying you “should” do something.

I don’t remember the exact wording. They might have said “should” or “you can” or “make sure to send”. It definitely sounded like they wanted letters of interest if we really wanted to go there.

 

[notsobabydoc]

I don’t remember the exact wording. They might have said “should” or “you can” or “make sure to send”. It definitely sounded like they wanted letters of interest if we really wanted to go there.

if everyone else sends one except you, how would you feel about that?

 

[moldydorito]

if everyone else sends one except you, how would you feel about that?

Probably not great, which is why I’m most likely sending one.

 

[notsobabydoc]

Probably not great, which is why I’m most likely sending one.

lol, you already know the answer!!

 

[AMCASTuesdays]

right I completely agree. I just wanted to point out that schools actually don't know you have multiple acceptances and probably assume you don't unless you are a very top candidate. In that case, an LOI is moot as well. One of my top schools said they put zero weight on those letters.

still not 100% on how it works yet, but starting october won't AMCAS give applicants the option to declare intent to enroll at a program where they have been accepted? I think (but am not positive) that schools can see if you've shown intent to another school.

 

[SeaHusky]

still not 100% on how it works yet, but starting october won't AMCAS give applicants the option to declare intent to enroll at a program where they have been accepted? I think (but am not positive) that schools can see if you've shown intent to another school.

I was thinking one could simply state which schools they've been fortunate to have been accepted to already and provide verification if asked (although this might be frowned upon, idk ).

 

[AMCASTuesdays]

I was thinking one could simply state which schools they've been fortunate to have been accepted to already and provide verification if asked (although this might be frowned upon, idk ).

Yeah idk either. I just meant to point out that the intent declaration requirement might complicate things, i.e. if schools can see that you've intended somewhere else/ if you have to do that by the end of the cycle and it's binding. I was thinking it might be something to look into.

edit: am still only 50% knowledgeable on this, it was mentioned a few times in interviews, but not really hammered out so

 

[notsobabydoc]

Yeah idk either. I just meant to point out that the intent declaration requirement might complicate things, i.e. if schools can see that you've intended somewhere else/ if you have to do that by the end of the cycle and it's binding. I was thinking it might be something to look into.

edit: am still only 50% knowledgeable on this, it was mentioned a few times in interviews, but not really hammered out so

Hey, is there a specific document that details the whole rule? There's this intent and commitment thing..

 

[IlDestriero]

Had my interview at my dream medical school already. They are a non-rolling medical school so they get back to me in March. I love the school a ton. I already plan on sending a letter of intent. However, I want to mix in an update into my letter of intent but I literally have nothing significant going on in the next few months.

I'm going to continue to commit myself to the responsibilities that I committed myself to during my gap year and let medical schools know about already. My question is: Should I worry about not having a significant update? I might send them updated hours on my commitments and how I shadowed a few other specialties but that's it. I don't expect and publications out soon unfortunately.

EDIT: I plan to send out the LOI in January since they send decisions in March

Letters of intent and useless updates are great for paper airplanes.
I think that a letter of intent would likely only be helpful to you if you were accepted elsewhere, and on the waiting list at your dream school. The schools know you’ve been accepted elsewhere and may benefit from knowing that you really want to attend their school instead. One of my classmates got accepted that way. Though he didn’t send a letter he called the dean of admissions.

 

[AMCASTuesdays]

Hey, is there a specific document that details the whole rule? There's this intent and commitment thing..

Idk but I was going to check later, will report my findings!

 

[FISTMCLARGEHUGE]

I sent my squire along with an attachment a week ago or so. I feel that the attachment of soldiers adds weight to my intent to merge the two families. The downside is the added travel time due to the extra riders and provisions. Naturally to make a good impression my best diplomatic advisor was sent in fine garb to accompany the squire (he is still young-faced to say the least). Hopefully, it can act as a learning lesson and convey my willingness to teach. I really debated concubines but after last incident, I decided against this. My guess is they will arrive 2 weeks time from now so a turn around of a month. This may seem soon but I want to send the message before the winter months. Hunger does make the peasantry ravenously prone to violence and I am running out of squires.

 

[JoaoMoutinho]

still not 100% on how it works yet, but starting october won't AMCAS give applicants the option to declare intent to enroll at a program where they have been accepted? I think (but am not positive) that schools can see if you've shown intent to another school.

If you're talking about the choose your medical school tool, unless they changed it dramatically from last year, it opens in February. Also IIRC schools can't see which applicants intend to enroll there or elsewhere, only that there is x number, and the numbers only start to show after a certain number of applicants have committed or not in each category (ie in state or OOS).