Silence from most schools, should I send updates?

[Tree1996]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi all! I was complete at most of my schools in late August, and heard back from 6 of them so far. I've listed my school list below, with the results from the 6, along with my stats and updates since September.

• Albany Medical College
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Boston University School of Medicine------Rejected Pre-II
• Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
• Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell-------Rejected Pre-II
• Drexel University College of Medicine
• Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
• Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
• Georgetown University School of Medicine------Rejected Pre-II
• Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
• Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
• New York Medical College
• New York University School of Medicine-------Rejected Pre-II
• Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
• Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
• Seton Hall-Hackensack Meridian
• Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
• State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
• State University of New York Upstate Medical University---------II Received and Scheduled
• Stony Brook University School of Medicine
• The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
• Tufts University School of Medicine
• University of Massachusetts Medical School
• University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
• NYITCOM---------Interview attended, waiting for decision
• PCOM

So, from the above, I've applied to 27 schools, with 4 rejections and 2 IIs as of now.
STATS: sGPA: 3.71, cGPA: 3.76, MCAT: 514

Updates: So I believe that the weakness in my app was mainly from my lack of clinical experience and possibly non-clinical experience, specifically towards helping the less fortunate. Since September, I've added on 400 hours of work as a medical scribe, 50 hours of clinical volunteering (bringing me to 100 cumulatively) and 50 hours of volunteering at a homeless center providing breakfast. I'm wondering if I should update schools with this information, and do you guys think I still have time to receive IIs? I'm hoping for the state schools to show some love (NY Resident). Thank you.

 

[Goro]

Hi all! I was complete at most of my schools in late August, and heard back from 6 of them so far. I've listed my school list below, with the results from the 6, along with my stats and updates since September.

• Albany Medical College
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Boston University School of Medicine------Rejected Pre-II
• Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
• Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell-------Rejected Pre-II
• Drexel University College of Medicine
• Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
• Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
• Georgetown University School of Medicine------Rejected Pre-II
• Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
• Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
• New York Medical College
• New York University School of Medicine-------Rejected Pre-II
• Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
• Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
• Seton Hall-Hackensack Meridian
• Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
• State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
• State University of New York Upstate Medical University---------II Received and Scheduled
• Stony Brook University School of Medicine
• The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
• Tufts University School of Medicine
• University of Massachusetts Medical School
• University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
• NYITCOM---------Interview attended, waiting for decision
• PCOM

So, from the above, I've applied to 27 schools, with 4 rejections and 2 IIs as of now.
STATS: sGPA: 3.71, cGPA: 3.76, MCAT: 514

Updates: So I believe that the weakness in my app was mainly from my lack of clinical experience and possibly non-clinical experience, specifically towards helping the less fortunate. Since September, I've added on 400 hours of work as a medical scribe, 50 hours of clinical volunteering (bringing me to 100 cumulatively) and 50 hours of volunteering at a homeless center providing breakfast. I'm wondering if I should update schools with this information, and do you guys think I still have time to receive IIs? I'm hoping for the state schools to show some love (NY Resident). Thank you.

I'm not a fan of updates, but as these fill a significant hole in you app, it's worth sending in. At worst, you'll have the hours for the next cycle.

Sinai, Rutgers, Geisinger, Cooper/Rowan, U MA, Brown and RWJ were donations

 

[Tree1996]

Thank you, @Goro ! Is there an associated post for how to send updates? I feel like I remember seeing one, but could not find it in the search.

 

[Goro]

Thank you, @Goro ! Is there an associated post for how to send updates? I feel like I remember seeing one, but could not find it in the search.

Don't know

 

[pmcojm]

Thank you, @Goro ! Is there an associated post for how to send updates? I feel like I remember seeing one, but could not find it in the search.

Each school has its own method. Check the portals.

 

[Just-Do-It]

What do you mean by "Sinai, Rutgers, Geisinger, Cooper/Rowan, U MA, Brown and RWJ were donations"?

 

[puahate]

I'd sit tight. You arent doing horribly.

 

[Tree1996]

What do you mean by "Sinai, Rutgers, Geisinger, Cooper/Rowan, U MA, Brown and RWJ were donations"?

He means I basically gave them my money, and then they threw my app into a blender. It’s a combination of Against OOS bias except for Sinai, which my scores are just lower for ( I think)

 

[Just-Do-It]

He means I basically gave them my money, and then they threw my app into a blender. It’s a combination of Against OOS bias except for Sinai, which my scores are just lower for ( I think)

Thanks for clarifying!

 

[Tree1996]

I'd sit tight. You arent doing horribly.

Thanks! Is there a point at which you think I should send updates out? I’m holding out some hope that December will be the month to hear from at least a few more schools.

 

[puahate]

Thanks! Is there a point at which you think I should send updates out? I’m holding out some hope that December will be the month to hear from at least a few more schools.

I'd wait until Jan comes. Hopefully all your other interviews get done.

 

[Unlimited Apps]

PM me.

 

[ciestar]

He means I basically gave them my money, and then they threw my app into a blender. It’s a combination of Against OOS bias except for Sinai, which my scores are just lower for ( I think)

Exactly this. NJ schools want people from NJ, likewise with UMass, Geisinger wants people from NEPA, Brown typically takes its own UG, and Sinai likes high numbers

 

[complez]

I'm not a fan of updates, but as these fill a significant hole in you app, it's worth sending in. At worst, you'll have the hours for the next cycle.

Sinai, Rutgers, Geisinger, Cooper/Rowan, U MA, Brown and RWJ were donations

Hey Goro, is there a reason you oppose app updates?

I submitted my secondaries in August and I haven't heard back from any of them.

I'm in my gap year, and I was initially working in the ED part time as a scribe while finishing my apps. I recently got a new position about 2 months ago in an outpatient clinic and am now working in both settings. (40-50 clinical hours/week). I was considering sending an update about the new experience, but was wondering...
1. is the new experience even worthy of an update
2. is it too early to send in updates
3. should i just be patient and wait

Thanks for your input

 

[Goro]

Hey Goro, is there a reason you oppose app updates?

I submitted my secondaries in August and I haven't heard back from any of them.

I'm in my gap year, and I was initially working in the ED part time as a scribe while finishing my apps. I recently got a new position about 2 months ago in an outpatient clinic and am now working in both settings. (40-50 clinical hours/week). I was considering sending an update about the new experience, but was wondering...
1. is the new experience even worthy of an update
2. is it too early to send in updates
3. should i just be patient and wait

Thanks for your input

Most people send updates about things that are absolutely worthless, like that they have just started a new job.

 

[Tree1996]

Most people send updates about things that are absolutely worthless, like that they have just started a new job.

In the case of a job that adds to your clinical experience, it wouldn’t be considered useless, correct?

 

[puahate]

In the case of a job that adds to your clinical experience, it wouldn’t be considered useless, correct?

That is not worth an update.

 

[ciestar]

In the case of a job that adds to your clinical experience, it wouldn’t be considered useless, correct?

If you have worked 0 hours, it is useless. Projected hours dont mean anything

 

[Goro]

In the case of a job that adds to your clinical experience, it wouldn’t be considered useless, correct?

This type of info isn't helpful.

Here's what is:
A semester of good grades
a publication
a major award

You're supposed to have a good app when you apply. Saying "I've now filled this hole in my deficit" does not reflect well on you as a candidate, does it?

 

[TeddyBears]

Exactly this. NJ schools want people from NJ, likewise with UMass, Geisinger wants people from NEPA, Brown typically takes its own UG, and Sinai likes high numbers

I always suspected they used a blender and now I have confirmation!

 

[arabet]

This type of info isn't helpful.

Here's what is:
A semester of good grades
a publication
a major award

You're supposed to have a good app when you apply. Saying "I've now filled this hole in my deficit" does not reflect well on you as a candidate, does it?

I already have a solid app, but recently started a volunteer gig for fun (I'm basically a volunteer secretary on the floor of a rural hospital, decent chunk of clinical experience actually). I thought about sending it to a couple of schools Pre-II combined with a "hey i'm interested and this is why i'm a good fit" letter. I think these are schools that want to know people genuinely want to come to their school bc of location issues. I'd keep it short and sweet, but do you think that would also be futile?

 

[Goro]

I already have a solid app, but recently started a volunteer gig for fun (I'm basically a volunteer secretary on the floor of a rural hospital, decent chunk of clinical experience actually). I thought about sending it to a couple of schools Pre-II combined with a "hey i'm interested and this is why i'm a good fit" letter. I think these are schools that want to know people genuinely want to come to their school bc of location issues. I'd keep it short and sweet, but do you think that would also be futile?

Without any accepts as leverage, it's waste of time.

They KNOW you're interested because you sent them an application!

You're not going to get to cut to the head of the line just because you started something new. They also know from historic data that if you live close, you're more likely to attend if accepted.

What you should be doing is improving your app because as of right now, you're rejected, and will be so until you get that accept email in your Inbox.

 

[Goro]

Hi Goro! I was hoping you could give me some advice on this situation. On my primary under one of my research experiences, I noted that I was going to present my research at the end of my fellowship. I didn't make a separate "activity" for the poster because I hadn't presented it yet. Would this be worthy of an update? I presented the research at the end of July. Since then, I've also completed 40 more hours of shadowing, continued volunteer and research positions I've held for a few years, became president of another organization, and was nominated for outstanding senior in my major as well. Just wondering if any of these would be worthy to add to an update, I know a lot of the time people add worthless stuff and it hurts them so I just wanted to make sure. I should also add that I'm currently holding an acceptance to a top 30 school. Thanks a lot in advance!

Preset your research where? At a national or international meeting? if so, that's update worthy.

The rest of the stuff is fluff.

 

[Goro]

It wasn't at a national conference, it was just local. Not worth sending in anything then? Thanks for the reply!

Nope, this is not something that's going to make the Admissions dean run out of his/her office and scream to the Admin "we've got to get this kid in here for an interview!!!"

 

[arabet]

Without any accepts as leverage, it's waste of time.

They KNOW you're interested because you sent them an application!

You're not going to get to cut to the head of the line just because you started something new. They also know from historic data that if you live close, you're more likely to attend if accepted.

What you should be doing is improving your app because as of right now, you're rejected, and will be so until you get that accept email in your Inbox.

Oooh I'm not OP so I'm already accepted to some places! I'm from an area where people tend to stay IS ("lucky state"), but all the higher tiers schools are located elsewhere. But I won't stress about it much then. Thanks!