Significance of Update

[datboi_58]

---

Members don't see this ad.

If I have started new activities, how many hours do I have to have accumulated in order for it to be significant? 100? 200?

And yes, I believe these activities will add to my application as my application is lacking in these particular extracurricular categories. I imagine they would help me attain IIs for certain schools. I know post-interview updates are better but I would rather send them in pre-II to those schools who like getting them to increase my chances of getting an II.

Additionally, should they be short and sweet? Or should they be detailed about what I have been doing and what I have learned, etc?

 

[Goro]

If I have started new activities, how many hours do I have to have accumulated in order for it to be significant? 100? 200?

And yes, I believe these activities will add to my application as my application is lacking in these particular extracurricular categories. I imagine they would help me attain IIs for certain schools. I know post-interview updates are better but I would rather send them in pre-II to those schools who like getting them to increase my chances of getting an II.

Additionally, should they be short and sweet? Or should they be detailed about what I have been doing and what I have learned, etc?

The higher the number, the better. I'd recommend when it gets to > 150.

Make it short and sweet too.

U[dates aren't going to help you get IIs. They might help with getting off wait lists at the needy schools, or those that like seeing candidates grovel. Do you really think that the Admissions Dean is going to run out of his/her office, screaming to their chief Admin, "WE HAVE TO invite this kid for an interview. S/he has 150 more hours of volunteering!!!!!"

?????

 

[Rachapkis]

If I have started new activities, how many hours do I have to have accumulated in order for it to be significant? 100? 200?

And yes, I believe these activities will add to my application as my application is lacking in these particular extracurricular categories. I imagine they would help me attain IIs for certain schools. I know post-interview updates are better but I would rather send them in pre-II to those schools who like getting them to increase my chances of getting an II.

Additionally, should they be short and sweet? Or should they be detailed about what I have been doing and what I have learned, etc?

Put yourself in the place of an adcom. Short and sweet is always welcome. The update should move the needle (in this case, I am not sure that it does, at least not at this juncture). Updates submitted shortly after submitting the primary or secondary, unless they are uber material (Rhodes Scholarship, Publication in a major journal, etc) do not seem wise. I've always thought that updates would be most effective when you are under serious consideration, want to convey continued interest and are near the line (e.g., trying to get off the wait list).

 

[deleted993098]

The higher the number, the better. I'd recommend when it gets to > 150.

Make it short and sweet too.

U[dates aren't going to help you get IIs. They might help with getting off wait lists at the needy schools, or those that like seeing candidates grovel. Do you really think that the Admissions Dean is going to run out of his/her office, screaming to their chief Admin, "WE HAVE TO invite this kid for an interview. S/he has 150 more hours of volunteering!!!!!"

?????

Goro, how would you view a situation in which an applicant is borderline in one category but makes it up in an update? Like I understand that hours alone won't make a huge diff, but let's says someone has very little non-clinical volunteering, or research, etc. (<100hrs) and gets a 150hrs to add to that. Would that push yourself to reconsider an applicant that you were initially hesitant to accept due to a lack of volunteering in one category?

 

[datboi_58]

Goro, how would you view a situation in which an applicant is borderline in one category but makes it up in an update? Like I understand that hours alone won't make a huge diff, but let's says someone has very little non-clinical volunteering, or research, etc. (<100hrs) and gets a 150hrs to add to that. Would that push yourself to reconsider an applicant that you were initially hesitant to accept due to a lack of volunteering in one category?

I don’t think it would make much difference unless:

1. It’s a school that is really seeking that activity in particular or a school that likes updates / interest.

2. It’s clinical experience because a lack of clinical experience can kill you and you probably shouldn’t have applied without adequate clinical experience in the first place but if it’s too late, it would be helpful I would imagine.