Sending Update Letter in December?

[MooseAndMe99]

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Hey everyone!

I got a few interview invites which I’m super grateful for and am happy about. However, there are a few schools that I applied to where I really want to attend but haven’t heard from them at all yet. My lab was planning to submit a paper for publication in end of October and the journal’s turn around time is about 1 month. If the paper is accepted for publication, the earliest I can submit an update letter about the publication is in December. I was wondering, is submitting a letter in December too late? I know a lot of schools are wrapping up interview season towards end of December and often just interviewing for very few seats. Should I wait I until December to send the update (if the paper gets accepted)? Or should I send one in November saying we submitted for publication? I heard updates also kind of remind them that you exist so was wondering if doing the November thing would be more beneficial because it’s earlier even though I heard submission is not that substantial. I’m just scared that sending the update in December would be too late because then schools will be interviewing me in Jan. or Feb. if they give me one around then and it’ll be for very few spots and will have low chance of getting in.

 

[Catalystik]

Hey everyone!

I got a few interview invites which I’m super grateful for and am happy about. However, there are a few schools that I applied to where I really want to attend but haven’t heard from them at all yet. My lab was planning to submit a paper for publication in end of October and the journal’s turn around time is about 1 month. If the paper is accepted for publication, the earliest I can submit an update letter about the publication is in December. I was wondering, is submitting a letter in December too late? I know a lot of schools are wrapping up interview season towards end of December and often just interviewing for very few seats. Should I wait I until December to send the update (if the paper gets accepted)? Or should I send one in November saying we submitted for publication? I heard updates also kind of remind them that you exist so was wondering if doing the November thing would be more beneficial because it’s earlier even though I heard submission is not that substantial. I’m just scared that sending the update in December would be too late because then schools will be interviewing me in Jan. or Feb. if they give me one around then and it’ll be for very few spots and will have low chance of getting in.

If you want to send a November update, fine. But don't mention a submitted manuscript, as it will not add to your candidacy. Who knows how many journals you'll need to approach before an acceptance is "in hand." Surely you have other things to mention in an update letter/letter of interest?

 

[MooseAndMe99]

If you want to send a November update, fine. But don't mention a submitted manuscript, as it will not add to your candidacy. Who knows how many journals you'll need to approach before an acceptance is "in hand." Surely you have other things to mention in an update letter/letter of interest?

If you want to send a November update, fine. But don't mention a submitted manuscript, as it will not add to your candidacy. Who knows how many journals you'll need to approach before an acceptance is "in hand." Surely you have other things to mention in an update letter/letter of interest?

I don’t think I have anything substantial to say. I’ve continued with all my activities that I put in my application. I’ve definitely learned new research techniques and things in my clinical experiences but I haven’t really started anything new

 

[Catalystik]

I don’t think I have anything substantial to say. I’ve continued with all my activities that I put in my application. I’ve definitely learned new research techniques and things in my clinical experiences but I haven’t really started anything new

Adding more hours to a clinical, community service, or leadership gig could be worth mentioning, especially if they were borderline on the Primary application, and even if not, showing that you are staying busy. A semester of good grades, if available, or even one highlighted, med-school relevant course (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochem, eg) with an A grade, could be mentioned. Those could be referred to briefly, leaving room for Why that school is perfect for you and your hope to hear from them soon.

 

[MooseAndMe99]

Adding more hours to a clinical, community service, or leadership gig could be worth mentioning, especially if they were borderline on the Primary application, and even if not, showing that you are staying busy. A semester of good grades, if available, or even one highlighted, med-school relevant course (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochem, eg) with an A grade, could be mentioned. Those could be referred to briefly, leaving room for Why that school is perfect for you and your hope to hear from them soon.

And would you recommend sending in another update in December if the paper gets accepted for publication? Are two updates okay especially if the second one is just like, hey btw, I am going to get published?

 

[Catalystik]

1) And would you recommend sending in another update in December if the paper gets accepted for publication? 2) Are two updates okay especially if the second one is just like, hey btw, I am going to get published?

1) Yes.
2) Yes.