Question about Update Letters

[hope2Bdoc21]

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Hey Guys!

So I am wanting to send out update letters to the schools that I applied to that accept them, but I am having some difficulty. My current letter basically tells everything that I have done, and the meaning/reasoning behind it. To me, that information is important because there is no reason for me to do stuff during this gap year that I don't care about.

However, my question is how specific should I make it to the school. I plan on sending separate, individualized letters to the school I have interviewed at, but for the other ones... I am not sure. Every time I try adding a sentence about how what I am doing aligns with the school's vision/mission it feels inorganic and forced. I can't really find a natural way to include something about the school. And I know that I could take the time to mention things about the school that I would love to be part of, but isn't that the point of the secondary.

So my question is what should I do lol? These are schools I am updating because I have not received an interview invite yet, and I am not sure if making the letter personal is even worth it. Like I could put a lot of effort in for it to just be glanced over. If anyone has any advice on how I should go about sending the letter or even suggestions to bring up the specific school that would be great. My letter is exactly 1 page right now and I know the letter shouldn't be overwhelmingly long, but any tips would be great. Thanks!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

According to your history, you are standing on one offer and just had an interview. Focus on your successes.

 

[Moko]

My letter is exactly 1 page right now and I know the letter shouldn't be overwhelmingly long, but any tips would be great. Thanks!

That's already too long unless you have multiple high impact updates. The more you write, the more diluted the important updates become.

I would suggest keeping the update letter focused on your accomplishments, and if it flows naturally, to finish the letter with a short sentence on something you will add to the school or are excited about. For example: "I hope to continue this work with/through [insert name of school-specific program/curriculum/club/clinic])" or "I am excited to [insert something about its location or nearby communities]."

Personally, if my school was located in a less desirable area or city, it certainly wouldn't hurt to hear that what's typically a downside for others is actually a positive factor for you -- but only if you are authentic about your desire to be part of those communities!

Just be careful to not accidentally tell Penn or Hopkins that you're excited to put down roots in Boston 😉! Just my thoughts and best of luck.

 

[Moko]

According to your history, you are standing on one offer and just had an interview. Focus on your successes.

It's great that the OP is (statistically speaking) going to be a future doctor. And while the OP should definitely be proud of their success thus far, there's nothing wrong with wanting more and hoping to get into a more desirable school (whether that be due to rank, costs, location, other opportunities, etc.). Just my thoughts 🙂.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Oh I agree, but I want to hear more about why the OP isn't satisfied with the current offer and interview. That helps me figure out why they want to send an update to the other schools. They may be making the task of an update unnecessarily harder than it should be.

 

[hope2Bdoc21]

That's already too long unless you have multiple high impact updates. The more you write, the more diluted the important updates become.

I would suggest keeping the update letter focused on your accomplishments, and if it flows naturally, to finish the letter with a short sentence on something you will add to the school or are excited about. For example: "I hope to continue this work with/through [insert name of school-specific program/curriculum/club/clinic])" or "I am excited to [insert something about its location or nearby communities]."

Personally, if my school was located in a less desirable area or city, it certainly wouldn't hurt to hear that what's typically a downside for others is actually a positive factor for you -- but only if you are authentic about your desire to be part of those communities!

Just be careful to not accidentally tell Penn or Hopkins that you're excited to put down roots in Boston 😉! Just my thoughts and best of luck.

This is awesome advice!! Thank you so much, this really changes my perspective on things.

 

[hope2Bdoc21]

Oh I agree, but I want to hear more about why the OP isn't satisfied with the current offer and interview. That helps me figure out why they want to send an update to the other schools. They may be making the task of an update unnecessarily harder than it should be.

I have one DO offer and am waiting to hear back from the MDs. I figure I shoot my shot to try and get as many chances as possible. Tbh you may be right that I am making this more difficult than it is, but if I am only doing one cycle I might as well make the most out of it.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I have on DO offer and am waiting to hear back from the MDs. I figure I shoot my shot to try and get as many chances as possible. Tbh you may be right that I am making this more difficult than it is, but if I am only doing one cycle I might as well make the most out of it.

I just want you to consider why you are waiting for an MD II. Why is the DO school not enough? Make sure you know for yourself why you are updating schools that haven't sent you an II. The DO school accepted you without the update, so what value do you think the update will add to your MD profile to encourage those programs to give you a shot? Why do you believe the update matters to the MD schools who have ghosted you when you have an offer in hand?

Plus you have/had an interview at an MD program.

 

[hope2Bdoc21]

I just want you to consider why you are waiting for an MD II. Why is the DO school not enough? Make sure you know for yourself why you are updating schools that haven't sent you an II. The DO school accepted you without the update, so what value do you think the update will add to your MD profile to encourage those programs to give you a shot? Why do you believe the update matters to the MD schools who have ghosted you when you have an offer in hand?

Plus you have/had an interview at an MD program.

I hear what you're saying, but I know that I want to just give it a go. In my eyes it can't hurt to send updates. You are right though, I have had MD interviews and have another coming up, but I figure I have the time and might as well. I don't really know how the admissions committees think or where I am in their list, but this could help me. Or maybe it doesn't. But I'd rather make an attempt than do nothing. This is nothing against your advice, and I am very happy with my DO acceptance. But again, as I said earlier, if I am only doing one cycle, I might as well shoot as many shots as I can, even if I miss.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I hear what you're saying, but I know that I want to just give it a go. In my eyes it can't hurt to send updates. You are right though, I have had MD interviews and have another coming up, but I figure I have the time and might as well. I don't really know how the admissions committees think or where I am in their list, but this could help me. Or maybe it doesn't. But I'd rather make an attempt than do nothing. This is nothing against your advice, and I am very happy with my DO acceptance. But again, as I said earlier, if I am only doing one cycle, I might as well shoot as many shots as I can, even if I miss.

I understand. I'm just trying to help you clarify your "why" with the schools that haven't reached out to you when you have already shown some success. I want to be sure you put your energy into getting an A (which you have done) or converting your interviews rather than expend energy wondering why other schools haven't come knocking. You need to focus on how you play the game if you get an A from an MD program where you interviewed (I guess relatively easy to turn down the DO acceptance, but I'd want to make sure about that). Most applicants get only 1 offer, and your situation is not the most dire.

Are the schools that have ghosted the OP closer to family? Do they offer better mentorship or infrastructure to allow the OP to get closer to their purpose as a physician? Are they worried that the schools that have interviewed the OP are "too experimental" when it comes to curriculum or too underdeveloped with their clerkship relationships? I want to know that short of an actual letter of intent that the OP has really thought about why they would walk away from the offers they have just to pursue an interview that might not come. What is the argument for purpose and mission fit within the update?

 

[hope2Bdoc21]

I understand. I'm just trying to help you clarify your "why" with the schools that haven't reached out to you when you have already shown some success. I want to be sure you put your energy into getting an A (which you have done) or converting your interviews rather than expend energy wondering why other schools haven't come knocking. You need to focus on how you play the game if you get an A from an MD program where you interviewed (I guess relatively easy to turn down the DO acceptance, but I'd want to make sure about that). Most applicants get only 1 offer, and your situation is not the most dire.

For me it mostly comes down to a few state schools and some out of state ones where I am really interested in them. I know that I align with their mission well and they had different clubs/programs/curriculum that excited me. I am only trying to give an update letter as a last shoe in. I have time before I hear back from places, and I know interviews are not done yet. This is why I am compelled to send a letter. Maybe it doesn't work out, but I know internally I want to at least try. Thank you for showing you care though, it's very nice to see the support of this thread and community!