Should I contact schools that I haven't heard back from yet soon?

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Kingsmen2018

Kingsmen2018

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May be super neurotic and I know GORO is gunna hit me with a "patience is a virtue" and "you aren't gods gift to med"
But I feel as if maybe contacting and showing interest in many schools that I completed secondaries for may help me get an II. I have done 3 MD II and have 1 more as of now. Im still waiting to hear back from like 30 schools I'm complete at and have near or above their median stats so you think this can help if I begin to contact them? Ive been complete since July

cGPA=sGPA 3.9
MCAT: 511
CA resident
Not URM


*PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE*
 
I would contact them IF you have a substantial update to add to your application. FWIW, last year, I got several IIs past this point in the cycle without sending an update/additional letter. That being said, certain schools (Jefferson, Georgetown) may appreciate you sucking up to them
 
I think the general advice on here is to only send LOIs to schools that clearly love updates and being told they are pretty. In most other cases, the LOIs will not have any impact or can hurt you if not constructed that well.
 
Ever tried getting your mind off things like hitting the gym? It's a really great stress reliever, something you're going to need after med school.
 
Hold very still because I'm going to try and smack some sense into you.

What you're proposing will scream of entitlement, desperation, neediness, and that you're a special snowflake.

You have FOUR IIs? The majority of applicants get shut out, and of those that get IIs, the majority get one!


Kingsmen2018 said:
May be super neurotic and I know GORO is gunna hit me with a "patience is a virtue" and "you aren't gods gift to med"
But I feel as if maybe contacting and showing interest in many schools that I completed secondaries for may help me get an II. I have done 3 MD II and have 1 more as of now. Im still waiting to hear back from like 30 schools I'm complete at and have near or above their median stats so you think this can help if I begin to contact them? Ive been complete since July

cGPA=sGPA 3.9
MCAT: 511
CA resident
Not URM


*PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE*
Click to expand...
 
Yeah dude chill, don’t be contacting schools and coming off super desperate
 
sss1219 said:
Schools may be receptive, but the problem is that usually people don't have substantial enough of an update for it to even make a difference
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i have read that new volunteering (underserved) and new job positions are worth it. am i right or would it not be helpful
 
Let's be honest OP, you already have 4 II's. Maybe start panicking if you hear back and have no acceptances.
 
You're absolutely nowhere near needing to do this. Seriously, you're in a great position. Just relax and focus on other things.

Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
 
I can't understand why updating one's app would "scream entitlement"
We have (nearly) all been humbled beyond belief by this brutal one-sided, stress-inducing, adcom-centered process.
No one feels entitled. We are just passionate and driven. Don't we want to cultivate those traits in our future physicians rather than slap their hands away from communicating. Many premeds become jaded and cynical before they even get a chance to talk to a patient.

A kind, concise, interesting letter including a pledge of continued sincere interest in the medical school would seem to any one objective outside observer as a logical gesture at this point. Most schools to which I applied seem receptive to this and I respect the wishes of those who are not.

OP, congrats on your II's; it's obvious you worked very hard and spent a lot of time, energy, and resources to get to this point. Best wishes with whatever you decide to do.
 
@Hazel-rah said:
I can't understand why updating one's app would "scream entitlement"
We have (nearly) all been humbled beyond belief by this brutal one-sided, stress-inducing, adcom-centered process.
No one feels entitled. We are just passionate and driven. Don't we want to cultivate those traits in our future physicians rather than slap their hands away from communicating. Many premeds become jaded and cynical before they even get a chance to talk to a patient.

A kind, concise, interesting letter including a pledge of continued sincere interest in the medical school would seem to any one objective outside observer as a logical gesture at this point. Most schools to which I applied seem receptive to this and I respect the wishes of those who are not.

OP, congrats on your II's; it's obvious you worked very hard and spent a lot of time, energy, and resources to get to this point. Best wishes with whatever you decide to do.
Click to expand...
There's a difference from an update, and "I applied to you earlier this year, but I haven't heard anything from you"

And SDNers should always remember that no one is forcing you to be a doctor.
 
Time to take a breath and relax as much. Maybe time to join Netflix lol
 
sss1219 said:
Aside from pubs and grades, what sorts of updates do you guys really feel make an impact?
Click to expand...
If there is such a thing as an effective update, it surely is not the initiation of a new position.
 
gyngyn said:
If there is such a thing as an effective update, it surely is not the initiation of a new position.
Click to expand...

i mean, i am still going to send an update in december regardless of what you think since i will have held those new positions for a few months by then, and should have updates on research etc. cant hurt, and if a school is receptive to updates there isnt any reason not to if i still havent heard back by then
 
•Syzygy• said:
i mean, i am still going to send an update in december regardless of what you think since i will have held those new positions for a few months by then, and should have updates on research etc. cant hurt, and if a school is receptive to updates there isnt any reason not to if i still havent heard back by then
Click to expand...
It is true that some schools like any update at all...
As long as you are sending them to such a school, the content matters not.
 
•Syzygy• said:
i mean, i am still going to send an update in december regardless of what you think since i will have held those new positions for a few months by then, and should have updates on research etc. cant hurt, and if a school is receptive to updates there isnt any reason not to if i still havent heard back by then
Click to expand...
Do you really think that the Admissions Dean is going to scream out to his/her secretary "We have to invite this Syzygy kid!!! They have a new job!!!!!"

????????
 
I literally just made a similar comment on another post, but I'll do it here as well. In my opinion, the only updates worth noting are the ones that stick with you forever. A publication for example...... Or an institutional action, but let's be optimistic and hope that one never happens.
 
gonnif said:
All actions have consequences both good and bad. doing something saying it cant hurt shows lack of critical analysis. Most updates, letters of interest or intent, do not do well is they lack substantial and worthwhile info as well suffer from being written in less than a professional and mature manner. They can hurt because often sound childish and desperate. Most applicants seem to never anyone read them, especially a professor who might see in it what you dont. You dont want to project such a desperate, immature image especially when the committee may be on the fence about you.
Click to expand...

oii vey. by december i may have a publication, will have been at a new job for several months, added more volunteering with homeless children, and been at a new club position as well (which i just started). i also am pretty self aware, so i doubt i will come off desperate but thanks for the concern gonnif!!!
 
•Syzygy• said:
oii vey. by december i may have a publication, will have been at a new job for several months, added more volunteering with homeless children, and been at a new club position as well (which i just started). i also am pretty self aware, so i doubt i will come off desperate but thanks for the concern gonnif!!!
Click to expand...

I still say no. Anyone can pick up a new volunteer position or club during their 1 year-long application period. Publications are different because it is a manifestation of the hard work you did in a long-term research position and allows adcoms a better idea of what you did on that project.
 
Thanks everyone. I just wonder if I will ever hear back lol
 
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