Question about Update Letters

[onetryfitsbest]

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Hi all,

I am in the middle of the application cycle, whatnot, and have recently found that I have a good chance of being selected for a program that may cause me to request deferral from whatever school I ultimately decide to matriculate at.

I have thought that the prestigious nature of the program may be good reason to send an update letter to schools, perhaps raising my chances.

At the same time, would schools be annoyed that I would likely be deferring? Perhaps, but keep in mind that the school is the one ultimately having the power to let me defer or not, so if they don't want me to, they can just say so.

Thoughts?

 

[Mobius1985]

Maybe a school won't accept you, assuming you'll prefer to attend the prestigious program. Surely, all the excellent aspects that might cause you to be selected are already apparent in your med school application. If your transcripts say you got straight As, would you be compelled to mention that you got on the Dean's list? Knowing that you received an honor doesn't necessary add to the original accomplishment, and in this specific instance, could hurt you.

In my opinion, it might be better to mention the honor after you receive an acceptance.

 

[onetryfitsbest]

Bump.

 

[slowbutsteady]

Wait.

You are going to update schools telling them you "have a good chance" of getting into a prestigious program??!!

unwise.

And what program could possible be more prestigious, and useful for your future, than a med school acceptance?

 

[alwaysaangel]

Yeah - removing all concerns about the deferral factor - having a good chance at anything is not an update. If you actually get into the program come back and ask again.

And remember - many schools are not friendly to deferrals. Rhodes scholars and fullbright scholarships are the only I've heard of as being usually allowed.

 

[virusgirl]

Yeah - removing all concerns about the deferral factor - having a good chance at anything is not an update. If you actually get into the program come back and ask again.

And remember - many schools are not friendly to deferrals. Rhodes scholars and fullbright scholarships are the only I've heard of as being usually allowed.

Every school has their own policy about this issue. I can't remember specific schools off of the top of my head -- I think NYMC may be one of them -- but there are definitely some that let you defer to pursue research/volunteer work, get married, make some more $$... But I think that's probably unusual, and most schools will only let you defer if you have a very compelling reason.