Real deal with Update Letters: How bad did I drop the ball on this one?

[About28]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Ok so the first part of my question is this: I hear everyone talk about update letters and letters of interest on this site like they are a mandatory part of the process. Are they actually? Do Medical schools expect all of their interviewees to send in updates?

Part two: I've had a few interviews so far and will be hearing about the outcome very soon. I have not, however, sent in an update to these schools. While I do have interesting things to say about my activities this year, i didn't think they were more or less mandatory/ wasn't aware of how important these letters were. Did I kill my chances by not sending in letters to these schools after I interviewed? Also, I have three more interviews coming up, would it behoove me to update these schools after my interview to not kill my chances?

 

[intangible]

Depends on whether or not those schools are particularly receptive to updates or not. Some schools see it as obnoxious and a tad too eager. There are a few situations that can happen in which updates can actually hurt you.

 

[FutureSurgical]

From what I've read from different adcoms, they mean very little if anything at all to their decision for acceptance.

 

[Holmwood]

They're just the cherry topping. They don't tend to be significant enough to warrant much interest because honestly, how much can you accomplish in a couple of months that would be considered significant?

In those rare instances where you do have significant new accomplishments (ex. publications, award, etc), sure. Send them a letter. If it's not significant (ex. volunteered at new place), then don't. .

There are two additional functions for an update letter though!
1) a LOI in disguise for most cases
2) a clever way of making sure you're not silently rejected (because they do tend to send an email back saying they've added it to your file, lol)

 

[xffan624]

Ok so the first part of my question is this: I hear everyone talk about update letters and letters of interest on this site like they are a mandatory part of the process. Are they actually? Do Medical schools expect all of their interviewees to send in updates?

No. If you have something significant to add (new publication, significant leadership position or award), then they're a bonus, but they are no means required or expected by most schools. If a school specifically asks for them or mentions them during an interview or encourages them on their website then that's a different story. If not, you can expect the default that they don't make much of a difference and their absence is not a detriment to your application.

 

[NickNaylor]

They aren't mandatory, though I know a very small number of schools essentially require you to send some kind of update/interest letter to actually be considered. I think Georgetown and/or BU fall into this category, but I'm really not sure.

Updates are best used either pre-interview if it's been a while since you've submitted your application or post-decision if you've been waitlisted. Updates demonstrate that you're still interested in the program and ideally include information that might strengthen your application - eg, good academic performance, EC accomplishments, research accomplishments, etc.. However they aren't the sort of thing to send if you don't actually have anything meaningful to talk about in an attempt to "keep up with the Joneses."

 

[Goro]

Some schools welcome updates, but others have stated policies where they are not welcome. Based upon the posts here, most updates are really trivial, like "I just started a new job", "I just submitted a paper" or "I now have 8 more hrs of shadowing".

If you're going to send an update, and the school welcomes it, make it substantial. A paper accepted, giving a presentation at a meeting, or getting in your fall grades and they're all A's, that's substantial.

Ok so the first part of my question is this: I hear everyone talk about update letters and letters of interest on this site like they are a mandatory part of the process. Are they actually? Do Medical schools expect all of their interviewees to send in updates?

Part two: I've had a few interviews so far and will be hearing about the outcome very soon. I have not, however, sent in an update to these schools. While I do have interesting things to say about my activities this year, i didn't think they were more or less mandatory/ wasn't aware of how important these letters were. Did I kill my chances by not sending in letters to these schools after I interviewed? Also, I have three more interviews coming up, would it behoove me to update these schools after my interview to not kill my chances?