Pre Interview Update Letters

[frosty66]

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I've only had one interview so far, so I was thinking of sending an update letter or a letter of interest to schools that accept them. In my primary application, I indicated that a tool I had developed during my research job was under review for a technology transfer license at my institution. We recently submitted it as a paper where I am first author, and it's now under review (not published, I don't have any other publications). I also started a new volunteering position, but don't really have any hours accumulated yet.

Is this worthy of an update letter? It's getting later in the cycle, so I was wondering if sending letters as a Hail Mary could help. If not, has anyone had success with pre-II letters of interest? I applied to some schools where my MCAT and GPA are significantly higher than the median, but I would very much love to attend. If I do end up sending letters to these schools, should I hint that I haven't had many IIs so far to indicate that I would be very enthusiastic about the opportunity and have a strong interest in attending the school?

Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[chilly_md]

No. Wait until it is accepted.

Indicating you do not have any acceptances or few interviews would not help your case.

 

[frosty66]

No. Wait until it is accepted.

Indicating you do not have any acceptances or few interviews would not help your case.

I don't think it'll be accepted before interviews stop being sent out (a paper someone else in my lab submitted took many months to be accepted)

Should I just not send anything then?

Thank you for the advice

 

[chilly_md]

I don't think it'll be accepted before interviews stop being sent out (a paper someone else in my lab submitted took many months to be accepted)

Should I just not send anything then?

Thank you for the advice

Correct. You do not have anything substantial to update them on

 

[Mr.Smile12]

My question: why do you think adcoms will care about your update? How does getting approval for a tool you developed relevant to your capabilities as a physician? Maybe for the engineering-learning schools, but I don't know if those are the schools you are targeting.

 

[frosty66]

My question: why do you think adcoms will care about your update? How does getting approval for a tool you developed relevant to your capabilities as a physician? Maybe for the engineering-learning schools, but I don't know if those are the schools you are targeting.

I come from a more technical background, and because I don't have any other pubs I thought it might be good to show schools that I have a first author manuscript written. But yeah it makes sense that they wouldn't care if it's not accepted yet.

I appreciate your input!

 

[tsqd002]

Correct. You do not have anything substantial to update them on

IDK about this advice, people have gotten IIs off of updates of a similar nature before. I think that the risk of a weak update singlehandedly tanking someone's application is far smaller than the possibility of it making some/no difference to a school.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

IDK about this advice, people have gotten IIs off of updates of a similar nature before. I think that the risk of a weak update singlehandedly tanking someone's application is far smaller than the possibility of it making some/no difference to a school.

Correlation does not equal causation. "People" have gotten II's may have little to do with the pre-II update. I can attest the processes I'm most familiar with pay little attention to pre-II updates. (Otherwise everyone would do it.) However, being annoying or not providing a substantive update could tank an application if the dean/chair feel the updates don't add to showing mission fit.

Advice about "consistent messaging":

Mission Fit: Key to Your Success | Student Doctor Network | SDN

Every application cycle, applicants request expert reviews on the Student Doctor Network to help them assess “What Are My Chances” (WAMC) at getting

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[Goro]

I've only had one interview so far, so I was thinking of sending an update letter or a letter of interest to schools that accept them. In my primary application, I indicated that a tool I had developed during my research job was under review for a technology transfer license at my institution. We recently submitted it as a paper where I am first author, and it's now under review (not published, I don't have any other publications). I also started a new volunteering position, but don't really have any hours accumulated yet.

Is this worthy of an update letter? It's getting later in the cycle, so I was wondering if sending letters as a Hail Mary could help. If not, has anyone had success with pre-II letters of interest? I applied to some schools where my MCAT and GPA are significantly higher than the median, but I would very much love to attend. If I do end up sending letters to these schools, should I hint that I haven't had many IIs so far to indicate that I would be very enthusiastic about the opportunity and have a strong interest in attending the school?

Nope.
Be patient. The cycle ain't over yet, but you should start preparing for plan b.