Should I send Update Letters?

[PANDAMANN]

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Hi everyone,

I am trying to decide if I have done anything to warrant sending pre-II update letters. Mainly, I just graduated and likely got all A's (I'll know in a few days), I had a successful season for my NCAA team sport, and continued a clinical volunteer role and research . I am applying to MA jobs and likely wont have experience to write about for a few weeks.

Should I send update letters now (once my transcript is released) or should I wait until 1-2 weeks into my new job? Would waiting that long be too late?

Appreciate the help.

 

[AJS59]

Hi everyone,

I am trying to decide if I have done anything to warrant sending pre-II update letters. Mainly, I just graduated and likely got all A's (I'll know in a few days), I had a successful season for my NCAA team sport, and continued a clinical volunteer role and research . I am applying to MA jobs and likely wont have experience to write about for a few weeks.

Should I send update letters now (once my transcript is released) or should I wait until 1-2 weeks into my new job? Would waiting that long be too late?

Appreciate the help.

Grades are fine (once you've released a transcript); the continuation of work is not worth it. NCAA team sport depends on specific accomplishments you can highlight (or not)

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Read/watch

Supporting Prehealth Athlete Applicants: A Conversation with 2024 Advisor of the Year James Wasco, MD | SDN

College athletics have been in the spotlight over the last decade. Athletes can now financially benefit from name-image-likeness (NIL) agreements, and

www.studentdoctor.net

Update after you have been in your job at least 1 month (past your probationary period).

 

[LindaAccepted]

Hi everyone,

I am trying to decide if I have done anything to warrant sending pre-II update letters. Mainly, I just graduated and likely got all A's (I'll know in a few days), I had a successful season for my NCAA team sport, and continued a clinical volunteer role and research . I am applying to MA jobs and likely wont have experience to write about for a few weeks.

Should I send update letters now (once my transcript is released) or should I wait until 1-2 weeks into my new job? Would waiting that long be too late?

Appreciate the help.

Do any of the schools you are applying to encourage updates?

 

[The Deep]

Read/watch

Supporting Prehealth Athlete Applicants: A Conversation with 2024 Advisor of the Year James Wasco, MD | SDN

College athletics have been in the spotlight over the last decade. Athletes can now financially benefit from name-image-likeness (NIL) agreements, and

www.studentdoctor.net

Update after you have been in your job at least 1 month (past your probationary period).

Question about this. I just got a new job and by the time I finish one month, a few of the schools I’m interested in will probably stop sending IIs. Should I try to get that update letter in prior to February?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Question about this. I just got a new job and by the time I finish one month, a few of the schools I’m interested in will probably stop sending IIs. Should I try to get that update letter in prior to February?

Didn't you follow advice from another thread (Aesclepius) and send something this past week?

 

[The Deep]

Didn't you follow advice from another thread (Aesclepius) and send something this past week?

I sent something around 2 weeks ago and this is all new stuff that hasn’t been mentioned in any update letter, primary, or secondaries. My initial update was what I did between August and November, which is different than what I’m doing now. The only similarity is the volunteer gig that I just got a promo for. I made a post about it a couple hours ago:

“I sent an update letter to a few schools a few weeks back. Recently, I’ve started a new job, a new volunteer opportunity, and got a promo at one of my other volunteer gigs. I want to compile all this information in a letter at some point, but don’t want to send the letters too close to one another. I wanted to (hopefully) help move the needle at a school I really want to be interviewed at, and with February right around the corner, I feel pressured to send something sooner rather than later. Thoughts?”

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I sent something around 2 weeks ago and this is all new stuff that hasn’t been mentioned in any update letter, primary, or secondaries. My initial update was what I did between August and November, which is different than what I’m doing now. The only similarity is the volunteer gig that I just got a promo for. I made a post about it a couple hours ago:

“I sent an update letter to a few schools a few weeks back. Recently, I’ve started a new job, a new volunteer opportunity, and got a promo at one of my other volunteer gigs. I want to compile all this information in a letter at some point, but don’t want to send the letters too close to one another. I wanted to (hopefully) help move the needle at a school I really want to be interviewed at, and with February right around the corner, I feel pressured to send something sooner rather than later. Thoughts?”

Two weeks ago puts the delivery at before Christmas break. I wouldn't push until the end of January because you must give the adcom time to read your previous update and decide on acting (if they do it). Had you not sent something before Christmas (because people are out for two weeks of holiday), I might have said it would be okay to send one final update in January.

If you can't help yourself, wait until after MLK Jr holiday on January 20.

 

[The Deep]

Two weeks ago puts the delivery at before Christmas break. I wouldn't push until the end of January because you must give the adcom time to read your previous update and decide on acting (if they do it). Had you not sent something before Christmas (because people are out for two weeks of holiday), I might have said it would be okay to send one final update in January.

If you can't help yourself, wait until after MLK Jr holiday on January 20.

I know I'm probably coming off as neurotic, but I see it as I have nothing to really lose and don't want to look back wondering "what if." Thank you for your advice 🙂

 

[GoSpursGo]

I sent something around 2 weeks ago and this is all new stuff that hasn’t been mentioned in any update letter, primary, or secondaries. My initial update was what I did between August and November, which is different than what I’m doing now. The only similarity is the volunteer gig that I just got a promo for. I made a post about it a couple hours ago:

“I sent an update letter to a few schools a few weeks back. Recently, I’ve started a new job, a new volunteer opportunity, and got a promo at one of my other volunteer gigs. I want to compile all this information in a letter at some point, but don’t want to send the letters too close to one another. I wanted to (hopefully) help move the needle at a school I really want to be interviewed at, and with February right around the corner, I feel pressured to send something sooner rather than later. Thoughts?”

Look, if what is already in your app hasn't gotten you an interview, none of these things are going to move the needle either. Maybe you have "nothing to lose," or maybe you'll come across as a high-maintenance student who doesn't know how to be patient. Not to be harsh, but reading this made me roll my eyes... and I can only imagine how I would feel if I get multiple of these kinds of messages every day.

I think you shot your shot in December with an update to the schools that have yet to interview you. If you can't help yourself then I agree you should at least wait a few more weeks... but I would personally advise you to just sit tight and accept that you have done everything you can.

 

[Goro]

Do any of the schools you are applying to encourage updates?

OP, I notice that you didn't answer Linda's question.

 

[PANDAMANN]

Read/watch

Supporting Prehealth Athlete Applicants: A Conversation with 2024 Advisor of the Year James Wasco, MD | SDN

College athletics have been in the spotlight over the last decade. Athletes can now financially benefit from name-image-likeness (NIL) agreements, and

www.studentdoctor.net

Update after you have been in your job at least 1 month (past your probationary period).

Thank you!

 

[PANDAMANN]

Do any of the schools you are applying to encourage updates?

8+ of the schools that I haven't heard from accept/encourage updates. I have only noted a few that do not so far.

 

[LindaAccepted]

8+ of the schools that I haven't heard from accept/encourage updates. I have only noted a few that do not so far.

Since you're sending programs that encourage updates, after a few weeks I see no harm in sending an additional succinct update about your new responsibilities including some reflection on what you're learning.