Sending update letters... how much is too much?

[qmcat]

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Just wondering if you guys think sending update letters about every 3-4 weeks after being waitlisted is too obsessive (assuming you have a legit reason to update)?

For this particular school, I sent an update pre-interview... got an interview. Then I got waitlisted, so I sent another update 3 weeks ago. I been thinking about sending another update now, since I have some pubs that got accepted. And I'm pretty sure I'm going to send another update next month when I get my grades and am doing this athletic competition.

Is this going to be too much? I'm going to be sending like 4-5 updates in total by April/May.

 

[scrambizle]

When I was wait-listed, I sent an email every week with updates (thankfully I had new stuff to tell them every time). I ended up getting off the wait list at the end of May. Never hesitate to sell yourself.

 

[DrWookie]

It depends on how their waitlist works.

I know a lot of schools aren't going to be reevaluating the waitlist until May (after the deadline for holding schools). In that case, you probably should just wait until next month when you have additional things to update with instead of one now and one more in like 4 weeks. However, if they are continually reevaluating waitlists then sure, update as soon as you have something to update.

 

[qmcat]

Thanks! I've heard that the school will look through the entire waitlist whenever a spot opens up (I'm guessing it's a small waitlist then?). I think I will go ahead and send them another one now then.

Also, do you guys think it'll be okay to re-hash some of the "why I love the school" sentences/paragraphs in my letter?

 

[DrWookie]

Thanks! I've heard that the school will look through the entire waitlist whenever a spot opens up (I'm guessing it's a small waitlist then?). I think I will go ahead and send them another one now then.

Also, do you guys think it'll be okay to re-hash some of the "why I love the school" sentences/paragraphs in my letter?

I wouldn't rehash it for more then a few sentences...every letter you have sent will be in your file. They have it all already there and the fact that you are still sending them updates shows that all the information (the fact that you are interested) still applies. You don't want to make them sick of reading your update letters by repeating too many things, because then they might just skip over the new stuff that you really want them to know.

EDIT:

Don't take my word on this, I'm just trying to think what I would like if I were on an adcom. Of course you have to say a few sentences about how excited you are for the school but the details have already been said. if I were on an adcom I would get sick of a bunch of letters talking about the same thing...probably to the point where I wouldn't read new ones (and would maybe miss valueable info). However, they may have more patience than I do 🙂

 

[AdmiralChz]

I wouldn't rehash it for more then a few sentences...every letter you have sent will be in your file. They have it all already there and the fact that you are still sending them updates shows that all the information (the fact that you are interested) still applies. You don't want to make them sick of reading your update letters by repeating too many things, because then they might just skip over the new stuff that you really want them to know.

EDIT:

Don't take my word on this, I'm just trying to think what I would like if I were on an adcom. Of course you have to say a few sentences about how excited you are for the school but the details have already been said. if I were on an adcom I would get sick of a bunch of letters talking about the same thing...probably to the point where I wouldn't read new ones (and would maybe miss valueable info). However, they may have more patience than I do 🙂

I agree - I think your updates if sent this frequently should be short, sweet, and directly to the point. Any extra fluff is just that - fluff and probably will go unread. But it seems like you definitely have some good stuff to update on, good luck!