New Job- How to Update Schools

[HoneyBadgerz]

I was just hired as an ED tech at UVA, but I've already submitted a good deal of secondary apps. On my primary, I briefly mentioned that I was looking for this job, but I didn't want to put it as an activity since I did not have it yet. How should I approach updating schools? I know that certain schools have the additional document submission on their secondary portals while others just want you to email them updates. I also know some don't accept updates at all. Some other schools have the "What are you doing for 2018-2019 if not in school?" essay, but there isn't a ton of room to go into the specifics of my new job with all my other activities also being described there in < 1000 characters.

Will I be penalized in any way if I email an update to a school that does not accept updates?

And should I send an update with the full job description and details to every single school that does accept updates even if I already mention the new job in the "What are you doing for 2018-2019 if not in school?" essay?

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[Robin-jay]

Will I be penalized in any way if I email an update to a school that does not accept updates?

They just send an E-mail back saying "Sorry, we do not accept updates to your application".

 

[BicycleGuy]

Is it ok to mention updates as a part of a secondary essay? For example, would it be okay to say that one of the reasons why I want to attend X medical school is because I started a new position (not mentioned in AMCAS) in the area, and I would be interested in continuing my work with the organization during medical school?

 

[mimelim]

Is it ok to mention updates as a part of a secondary essay? For example, would it be okay to say that one of the reasons why I want to attend X medical school is because I started a new position (not mentioned in AMCAS) in the area, and I would be interested in continuing my work with the organization during medical school?

This is a non-factor and while unlikely to hurt you, is just as unlikely to help. Ergo, since in this process you should err on the conservative side of things should not be a part of an update.

Personally, as an admissions committee member, if this is what YOU consider a 'significant', I start to wonder. Doubt that it would affect anything, but you don't want to give people the opportunity to over analyze.

 

[HoneyBadgerz]

Personally, as an admissions committee member, if this is what YOU consider a 'significant', I start to wonder. Doubt that it would affect anything, but you don't want to give people the opportunity to over analyze.

Shoot! Should I delete the upload from the several schools where I already submitted it? Or would they see that I did that as a red flag too? 🙁

 

[mimelim]

Shoot! Should I delete the upload from the several schools where I already submitted it? Or would they see that I did that as a red flag too? 🙁

No. Just leave it be. As previously stated, it is not likely to affect things in any way. Most people will chalk it up to typical pre-med neuroticism or simply not notice it anyways. It is not a red flag, just unnecessary.

 

[HoneyBadgerz]

No. Just leave it be. As previously stated, it is not likely to affect things in any way. Most people will chalk it up to typical pre-med neuroticism or simply not notice it anyways. It is not a red flag, just unnecessary.

Ok thanks. I won't sent it to any more schools then.

I had just thought this was definitely a significant update since it's a new clinical activity that I will continue until I start med school. Schools receive new MCAT scores and LORs from AMCAS, so those aren't something on which to update them. If a new activity like this isn't update-worthy, then what exactly is?

 

[mimelim]

Ok thanks. I won't sent it to any more schools then.

I had just thought this was definitely a significant update since it's a new clinical activity that I will continue until I start med school. Schools receive new MCAT scores and LORs from AMCAS, so those aren't something on which to update them. If a new activity like this isn't update-worthy, then what exactly is?

Updates should be for things that were large parts of who you are/what you were doing that couldn't be effectively described before or something large happened. For example, a submitted manuscript being accepted for publication or an award for some activity. Those change how those activities are viewed and may have significant bearing on how an applicant is viewed. You starting something that anyone could have simply signed up for does not.

 

[Med Ed]

Ok thanks. I won't sent it to any more schools then.

I had just thought this was definitely a significant update since it's a new clinical activity that I will continue until I start med school. Schools receive new MCAT scores and LORs from AMCAS, so those aren't something on which to update them. If a new activity like this isn't update-worthy, then what exactly is?

"My spouse got a job near your school."
"The manuscript we submitted to Nature was accepted."

 

[Goro]

"My spouse got a job near your school."
"The manuscript we submitted to Nature was accepted."

"I have completed he Fall semester with a 3.8 GPA."

 

[Robin-jay]

"My spouse got a job near your school."

This reason always made me chuckle.

I think the applicant starting a new job in a hospital/research/science discipline should be taken more positively than "my spouse got a part time job around the area as a dog groomer, so now I'm super committed to medical school here".

 

[Med Ed]

This reason always made me chuckle.

I think the applicant starting a new job in a hospital/research/science discipline should be taken more positively than "my spouse got a part time job around the area as a dog groomer, so now I'm super committed to medical school here".

And you would be wrong.

Family connections to a given geographic are is perhaps the strongest single predictor if willingness to attend.

 

[Goro]

And you would be wrong.

Family connections to a given geographic are is perhaps the strongest single predictor if willingness to attend.

Having had students withdraw because they were homesick, Med Ed is spot on (as usual).

 

[Robin-jay]

And you would be wrong.

Family connections to a given geographic are is perhaps the strongest single predictor if willingness to attend.

Having had students withdraw because they were homesick, Med Ed is spot on (as usual).

I don't disagree with the logic behind it, its very sound.

It's just frustrating that having a SO in the same area gives someone more of an edge than someone showing competence by working, especially in a science/medical field.

 

[Goro]

I don't disagree with the logic behind it, its very sound.

It's just frustrating that having a SO in the same area gives someone more of an edge than someone showing competence by working, especially in a science/medical field.

We want people to come to our schools. Therefore, evidence of a tie to where we are is a plus. Everyone is expected to have the competencies you mentioned. They're baselines.

 

[Lawpy]

"I have completed he Fall semester with a 3.8 GPA."

This doesn't seem to work for someone who already has a high GPA.

 

[Goro]

This doesn't seem to work for someone who already has a high GPA.

It sure can't hurt!!

 

[Med Ed]

I don't disagree with the logic behind it, its very sound.

It's just frustrating that having a SO in the same area gives someone more of an edge than someone showing competence by working, especially in a science/medical field.

I never said these applicants lack qualifications or competence, it’s just always nicer when you offer a seat to someone who will take it. The “edge” they enjoy in one area is also a double edged sword, as it can markedly limit one’s ability to apply broadly.

 

[Robin-jay]

I never said these applicants lack qualifications or competence, it’s just always nicer when you offer a seat to someone who will take it. The “edge” they enjoy in one area is also a double edged sword, as it can markedly limit one’s ability to apply broadly.

Every applicant is willing to take that seat. I get the logic behind it. But none the less, I want to roll my eyes at people saying their SO is in town so now they get medical school admission points whereas actual competent tasks matter less in updates (I know they are considered competent already, but more competent tasks should help).

Just my opinion. I don't disagree with your logic going about it. Just not my preference.

 

[Med Ed]

Every applicant is willing to take that seat.

Some more than others. A typical medical school admits 2-3x its number of open seats in order to fill a class.

I get the logic behind it. But none the less, I want to roll my eyes at people saying their SO is in town so now they get medical school admission points whereas actual competent tasks matter less in updates (I know they are considered competent already, but more competent tasks should help).

Just my opinion. I don't disagree with your logic going about it. Just not my preference.

Perhaps the issue is that the vast majority updates do nothing to enhance the application itself. The simple fact of the matter is there is extremely little one can do in the window between submission and review that will move the needle on one's attractiveness as a candidate. Family-related updates are far more actionable.

 

[Robin-jay]

Some more than others.

Perhaps the issue is that the vast majority updates do nothing to enhance the application itself. The simple fact of the matter is there is extremely little one can do in the window between submission and review that will move the needle on one's attractiveness as a candidate. Family-related updates are far more actionable.

I'd argue that the guy working hard to fulfill updates (work experience, volunteering experience, etc.) is showing more drive and "willingness" to stay in an area than another guy conveniently writing to an admissions committee "my SO has a job near you".

 

[Med Ed]

I'd argue that the guy working hard to fulfill updates (work experience, volunteering experience, etc.) is showing more drive and "willingness" to stay in an area than another guy conveniently writing to an admissions committee "my SO has a job near you".

No, an update just means you took the time to file an update. They are almost never even remotely interesting. Your AMCAS is supposed to be a comprehensive snapshot of years worth of the work and decisions you made to get into medical school. "Working hard to fulfill updates" is read as "how I spent my summer vacation."

Spousal updates are not common, but when they do arrive they aren't as flippant as you make them out to be (rather derisively, I might add). It's not "my spouse got a part-time dog grooming job", it's more like "my spouse's company has a location near your school and they have agreed to let her transfer if I matriculate there." Or the situation posed in this thread "How to let a school know it's your top choice."

So I'm planning on submitting secondaries to 20ish MD schools and 4 DO. Realistically though, only 5 of those schools are ones I can attend without having to live apart from my husband. We decided we'd be willing to live apart for a year while he finishes his residency, which I don't find ideal but am willing to do. How can I let these 5 programs know that they're my top choices, given my circumstances?

 

[Robin-jay]

No, an update just means you took the time to file an update. They are almost never even remotely interesting. Your AMCAS is supposed to be a comprehensive snapshot of years worth of the work and decisions you made to get into medical school. "Working hard to fulfill updates" is read as "how I spent my summer vacation."

I worked hard to continue doing EC's and updating the schools I was waitlisted at. I understand from the ADCOMs point of view, but from the applicants point of view, those that are continuing updating tasks that show some interest and competency seem to me show just as much "willingness" as anything else.

In fact, my ex-SO's (at the time of applying) place of employment would be less indicative of how much I want to go to the surrounding area, rather than my updates of competent tasks I'm sending to the schools I really want to attend.

 

[freedoctor17]

Updates should be for things that were large parts of who you are/what you were doing that couldn't be effectively described before or something large happened. For example, a submitted manuscript being accepted for publication or an award for some activity. Those change how those activities are viewed and may have significant bearing on how an applicant is viewed. You starting something that anyone could have simply signed up for does not.

So I have several manuscripts that I am an author on. One of them was accepted with revisions which are getting done now before resubmitting and the other has been submitted for publication and under review. One is in a top journal and the other in a mid level one in my field. Assuming both these get accepted, would it be ok to mention them as well as the other manuscripts that are still in progress in an update? Besides the first one they all build off each other. My research mentors keep telling me to add them to my application because for grad schools they say it looks really good since it shows you've been working on something significant but I'm conflicted because on here I've seen that it's worthless mentioning a manuscript that is unpublished.

 

[mimelim]

So I have several manuscripts that I am an author on. One of them was accepted with revisions which are getting done now before resubmitting and the other has been submitted for publication and under review. One is in a top journal and the other in a mid level one in my field. Assuming both these get accepted, would it be ok to mention them as well as the other manuscripts that are still in progress in an update? Besides the first one they all build off each other. My research mentors keep telling me to add them to my application because for grad schools they say it looks really good since it shows you've been working on something significant but I'm conflicted because on here I've seen that it's worthless mentioning a manuscript that is unpublished.

You should never be 'letting people know' that something is in process or undergoing revisions. Once something is accepted/published, that is absolutely something that you should let schools know. In the research realm, publications are binary. They are either published or they aren't. You don't get partial credit because that is impossible to appreciate and the DEFAULT is for things to not get published. If you say, "This is submitted, I'm waiting on XYZ." The likelihood of that going on to publication (depending on the field) is potentially <30%. Why would we put any stock in that? Again, something that ANYONE can claim truthfully with zero/minimal effort is not something that you should be bragging about. It looks desperate.

 

[freedoctor17]

Ok thank you, just needed to hear it one more time lol. I'll hold off on that until I'm certain on of them gets published which I should know by the end of summer.

 

[Goro]

So I have several manuscripts that I am an author on. One of them was accepted with revisions which are getting done now before resubmitting and the other has been submitted for publication and under review. One is in a top journal and the other in a mid level one in my field. Assuming both these get accepted, would it be ok to mention them as well as the other manuscripts that are still in progress in an update? Besides the first one they all build off each other. My research mentors keep telling me to add them to my application because for grad schools they say it looks really good since it shows you've been working on something significant but I'm conflicted because on here I've seen that it's worthless mentioning a manuscript that is unpublished.

You should never be 'letting people know' that something is in process or undergoing revisions. Once something is accepted/published, that is absolutely something that you should let schools know. In the research realm, publications are binary. They are either published or they aren't. You don't get partial credit because that is impossible to appreciate and the DEFAULT is for things to not get published. If you say, "This is submitted, I'm waiting on XYZ." The likelihood of that going on to publication (depending on the field) is potentially <30%. Why would we put any stock in that? Again, something that ANYONE can claim truthfully with zero/minimal effort is not something that you should be bragging about. It looks desperate.

Mimelim is spot on, as usual. To follow up, one could submit a laundry list to Nature and truthfully call it "manuscript submitted". There's a reason why NIH Biosketches don't have a space for "manuscript in preparation/submitted".

 

[Goro]

I worked hard to continue doing EC's and updating the schools I was waitlisted at. I understand from the ADCOMs point of view, but from the applicants point of view, those that are continuing updating tasks that show some interest and competency seem to me show just as much "willingness" as anything else.

In fact, my ex-SO's (at the time of applying) place of employment would be less indicative of how much I want to go to the surrounding area, rather than my updates of competent tasks I'm sending to the schools I really want to attend.

A problem you're having is that you're still thinking like a pre-med, while Med Ed are trying to get you to see what it's like on the other side of the curtain.

Updates only work for needy schools or those that like seeing candidates grovel. We know you're interested in our schools, you sent us your apps, and you got an interview.

In truth, so many people send updates that, frankly, they're worthless. I mean, really, one just started a new job? One now have 20 extra hours of shadowing? A manuscript was just submitted? (see Mimelim's comment above) Showing that one has a valid tie to an area near the med school gives us something to take as more real, rather than further good deeds (which we know that also get sent to the other schools one got waitlisted at).

 

[HoneyBadgerz]

Ok thank you, just needed to hear it one more time lol. I'll hold off on that until I'm certain on of them gets published which I should know by the end of summer.

Prepare yourself lol. I was supposed to have published my senior design project last fall. Here I am still working on it now haha. Still expected to get published, but there's always something else to do.

 

[HoneyBadgerz]

My last remaining question concerning the job situation pertains specifically to UVA SOM. Should I send them an update concerning my new job working in their own ED? I have no idea if the hospital and school will communicate that information with one another on their own. And would you consider the fact that I deliberately chose to commute to UVA instead of choosing the local hospital to demonstrate some level of commitment to their program? They're probably my #1 choice.

Thanks again for all these responses!

 

[freedoctor17]

Prepare yourself lol. I was supposed to have published my senior design project last fall. Here I am still working on it now haha. Still expected to get published, but there's always something else to do.

I mean this was submitted and accepted with revisions already and so far the revisions have been going well so I'm gonna hope at the latest it'll be in October although the project head is claiming August.

 

[Med Ed]

My last remaining question concerning the job situation pertains specifically to UVA SOM. Should I send them an update concerning my new job working in their own ED? I have no idea if the hospital and school will communicate that information with one another on their own. And would you consider the fact that I deliberately chose to commute to UVA instead of choosing the local hospital to demonstrate some level of commitment to their program? They're probably my #1 choice.

Thanks again for all these responses!

You should hand deliver the update. Include a link to a YouTube video where you preemptively answer interview questions that you think they might ask you. I suggest a flower delivery once a month until February, then make it twice a month. If you can discern who sits on the admission committee a series of "thinking about you" cards delivered to their respective homes can do wonders.

Seriously, UVA received over 5,400 applications last year. There is no need to communicate updates/LOIs to them until you are post-interview.

 

[HoneyBadgerz]

You should hand deliver the update. Include a link to a YouTube video where you preemptively answer interview questions that you think they might ask you. I suggest a flower delivery once a month until February, then make it twice a month. If you can discern who sits on the admission committee a series of "thinking about you" cards delivered to their respective homes can do wonders.

Seriously, UVA received over 5,400 applications last year. There is no need to communicate updates/LOIs to them until you are post-interview.

Well then it's a good thing I already have a spreadsheet with all the ADCOM members' home addresses! I was thinking I'd mail them homemade cookies, but flowers seem good too. Lol

Thanks for the response though. I'll refrain from sharing that update with them since it seems that people unanimously think it's pointless.