sending another pre-II letter / follow up rec letter?

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sinreina

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It's my second cycle and I have one II so far. For context, I submitted everything by end of July / early August, and I sent a wave of update letters to all schools that accept them in October since I had just started a new position.

I was planning to send another wave of updates around now. I have a recent development in my research position (I created a software tool for our patients to access resources local to them) that I was planning to highlight in these letters. My advisor said it would be acceptable to try to do what I can at this point to get some bites on my application. I'm just curious for others' perspective. I'm aware that update letters aren't going to tip the scale, but I'm trying to find the balance between "nothing left to lose" and not turning a school off by sending another letter.

On another note, my advisor also mentioned that another option he has seen students use in this situation is having one of my letter writers send an additional letter along the lines of "hey check this app out" with any significant updates I might have. Thoughts on this? It seems unconventional, so I'm not sure, but my PI would definitely be willing to write something like this on my behalf.

Really trying to pull every card I have at this point if you cannot tell lol
 
Thread 'Thank you letter advice' Thank you letter advice

Did you send an application to Methodist yet?

I am okay with sending a letter now for the sake of sending a letter. I don't know how the programming update helps us see your potential as a doctor, but you can do you.

Which reference are you enlisting for the updated LOR? I can't say how effective that will be.
 
Thread 'Thank you letter advice' Thank you letter advice

Did you send an application to Methodist yet?

I am okay with sending a letter now for the sake of sending a letter. I don't know how the programming update helps us see your potential as a doctor, but you can do you.

Which reference are you enlisting for the updated LOR? I can't say how effective that will be.

Yes, I applied to Methodist a few weeks ago.

For an update letter at this point, do you recommend keeping it to a brief mention of my recent developments/continued work and maybe a short reinforcement of my interest in the school? Maybe tying in my update to something at the school? My October letters included a pretty distinct "why us" paragraph, so I can't imagine repeating that would add much value.

As for the additional LOR, the person would be my PI, whom I've worked with for the past 2 years. Do you think it's worth asking him to write something on my behalf?
 
Yes, I applied to Methodist a few weeks ago.

For an update letter at this point, do you recommend keeping it to a brief mention of my recent developments/continued work and maybe a short reinforcement of my interest in the school? Maybe tying in my update to something at the school? My October letters included a pretty distinct "why us" paragraph, so I can't imagine repeating that would add much value.

As for the additional LOR, the person would be my PI, whom I've worked with for the past 2 years. Do you think it's worth asking him to write something on my behalf?
That will NOT move the needle.
 
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