Question on Update Letter Timings

[wise_university1]

If you've already interviewed at a school, does it make the most sense to save significant updates for the scenario that you get waitlisted? Is it expected at all or is there an advantage to sending an update before their decision release? Thanks!

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[sciencerules135]

If you've already interviewed at a school, does it make the most sense to save significant updates for the scenario that you get waitlisted? Is it expected at all or is there an advantage to sending an update before their decision release? Thanks!

I think depending how long since u interviewed it would be very appropriate to send an update now. Typically if you get waitlisted, you send a letter interest or letter of intent

 

[AJS59]

If you have updates now, send them. Only thing to wait for the waitlist for is a letter of intent

 

[wise_university1]

@LizzyM and @Goro would you two mind chiming in here? Thanks!

 

[LizzyM]

I generally don't see up-date letters once an applicant has interviewed, been scored (usually within a week of the interview) and placed on my famous staircase. At my school, I think that up-date letters mostly help applicants that are on=the-bubble at the end of the cycle or who are waitlisted. Every school is a bit different so it is hard to apply what happens here to other schools.

 

[Goro]

I generally don't see up-date letters once an applicant has interviewed, been scored (usually within a week of the interview) and placed on my famous staircase. At my school, I think that up-date letters mostly help applicants that are on=the-bubble at the end of the cycle or who are waitlisted. Every school is a bit different so it is hard to apply what happens here to other schools.

A) Send an update when you have something VERY worthy of an update, like a publication or a major award.
B) Wait until April/May, when people start getting picked off of the WLs
C) Make sure the schools allow for updates. A fair number don't.

 

[wise_university1]

I generally don't see up-date letters once an applicant has interviewed, been scored (usually within a week of the interview) and placed on my famous staircase. At my school, I think that up-date letters mostly help applicants that are on=the-bubble at the end of the cycle or who are waitlisted. Every school is a bit different so it is hard to apply what happens here to other schools.

Thank you! Just to clarify, on-the-bubble refers to borderline between extending an interview vs. not, correct?

 

[LizzyM]

Thank you! Just to clarify, on-the-bubble refers to borderline between extending an interview vs. not, correct?

I guess it could and in that case, the up-date is best before the last of the interview invitations go out (this varies by school).
What I was thinking in writing this is the mushy middle of the pack that are between admission and waitlist or on a non-ranked waitlist where a lucky few will be selected for admission from the waitlist.

 

[RunnerDad]

Hi everyone - wondering if anybody can help me answer the following question about an update letter.

I am a Canadian who has lived in the US for the last 4 years on a working visa. I do not have permanent residency status or citizenship in the US. I recently got engaged to my partner who is a US citizen. We plan to get married within the year, which would mean that I gain permanent residency status.

Is this something worth updating schools on? It would not change my international status for admission, but I would graduate with the ability to practice in the US permanently.

TIA!

Speaking just as a parent and not an applicant (or adcom for that matter), I would be hesitant to send an update letter with this information alone. Engagements are not a status update, they are a planned status update. I don't think this would move the needle unless you actually obtained permanent residency status prior to sending the update, and even then, would only clear that international hurdle and not bear upon the substantive merits of your application. Btw, congratulations on your engagement, and I wish you and your partner the best in this cycle!

 

[AJS59]

I'd tend to agree, think of it as the equivalent of having a paper submitted but not actually accepted for publication. Things can change.

 

[LizzyM]

Sadly, things may change with regard to a path to citizenship for individuals married to US citizens. I agree that it might not warrant an update, particularly given the events of the past week, but I do wish you well.