Too Soon for Updates?

[BigBoosting]

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I'm complete at several schools now but this week I picked up 2 research projects with a neurosurgeon, an Organic Chem II TA position, and one more shadowing gig.

If I update AACOMAS with these, will the schools I'm complete at see the updates? Or just ones that haven't downloaded my app yet like the PCOMs, (presumably since no one has gotten a secondary)?

Should I send a letter to the schools directly and will it be put in my file if it's unsolicited or do I need to wait until I get an interview?

I already have an interview at LECOM-B...should I just talk about it in the interview and not send an update there?

I feel like these things would help me get an interview, so I don't really want to wait to send an update, especially for my top choice schools.

Any advice is appreciated 🙂

Thanks

 

[Skippygonenuts]

I'm complete at several schools now but this week I picked up 2 research projects with a neurosurgeon, an Organic Chem II TA position, and one more shadowing gig.

If I update AACOMAS with these, will the schools I'm complete at see the updates? Or just ones that haven't downloaded my app yet like the PCOMs, (presumably since no one has gotten a secondary)?

Should I send a letter to the schools directly and will it be put in my file if it's unsolicited or do I need to wait until I get an interview?

I already have an interview at LECOM-B...should I just talk about it in the interview and not send an update there?

I feel like these things would help me get an interview, so I don't really want to wait to send an update, especially for my top choice schools.

Any advice is appreciated 🙂

Thanks

Call aacomas on Monday to confirm that the update on aacomas will update to all the schools. (I think it will only be to the ones that didn't download it)

However I would personally recommend u send a letter with what you have done since u applied and how that stuff will help u during med school or as a physician or how it's just something u have a passion for, etc.

Good luck on ur lecom interview! I wouldn't send them a letter. Just try to incorporate these things into ur interview without seeming like ur showing off. But it will definitely impress them to see all these activities picked up in such a short time and it may work out for ur favor since those are probably not things they were prepared to ask you about. Use ur best judgement when you're there.

Good luck!!

 

[DbDan]

Call aacomas on Monday to confirm that the update on aacomas will update to all the schools. (I think it will only be to the ones that didn't download it)

However I would personally recommend u send a letter with what you have done since u applied and how that stuff will help u during med school or as a physician or how it's just something u have a passion for, etc.

Good luck on ur lecom interview! I wouldn't send them a letter. Just try to incorporate these things into ur interview without seeming like ur showing off. But it will definitely impress them to see all these activities picked up in such a short time and it may work out for ur favor since those are probably not things they were prepared to ask you about. Use ur best judgement when you're there.

Good luck!!

If I'm not mistaken, AACOMAS sends an alert that the application has been updated to all schools. Whether or not they download it is up to them. I'd probably update it on AACOMAS and send a letter to the schools alerting them to what has been changed in your application. It also IMO is more professional to send the letter.

 

[BigBoosting]

Awesome feedback guys. Thank you for the info. I guess it will be smartest to do both - update AACOMAS and send a letter.

 

[jzrull]

Do you think AMCAS works on a similar system?

 

[BigBoosting]

You can't update your AMCAS work/EC's after submission. You'd have to send a letter directly if they accept them.

 

[emno]

BigBoosting,
please make sure that after you update at AACOMAS, they should not take a lot of time in reverifying the application again. Not sure how it works. The best bet will be to at least update every school.

 

[jzrull]

You can't update your AMCAS work/EC's after submission. You'd have to send a letter directly if they accept them.

I figured...Wayne SOM is really the only school I'm worried about updating. Just got off the phone with admissions and they told me to send a letter via e-mail. Gracias!

 

[DrDre2001]

I have a question that has to do with this somewhat.

I just updated my application as well, and I am also going to update it in late August after retaking this art class that will raise my GPA .12 points (it raises my GPA so much because I got an F on the original attempt).

In my letter that I write to them, I will certainly put the regular type below, but I am debating on the bolded:

"Dear xxx college of osteopathic medicine,

I have recently updated my application with my experiences this summer. I have volunteered at XXX hospital and shadowed Dr. XX. These were great experiences that were very valuable to me.

I also will be updating my application around August 20 with the grade for the summer course I am taking (Art XXX, as you can see on my application). This will raise my GPA by around .12 points, so I am just making sure the update of my application with this grade will not be overlooked.

Sincerely your applicant,

Xxx Xxx "

I kind of want to add the bolded above in the letter, as it will make the schools recognize just how much my GPA will be improved (which will probably be more than they expect). But, it may look a little tacky. What do you think?

 

[DbDan]

I have a question that has to do with this somewhat.

I just updated my application as well, and I am also going to update it in late August after retaking this art class that will raise my GPA .12 points (it raises my GPA so much because I got an F on the original attempt).

In my letter that I write to them, I will certainly put the regular type below, but I am debating on the bolded:

"Dear xxx college of osteopathic medicine,

I have recently updated my application with my experiences this summer. I have volunteered at XXX hospital and shadowed Dr. XX. These were great experiences that were very valuable to me.

I also will be updating my application around August 20 with the grade for the summer course I am taking (Art XXX, as you can see on my application). This will raise my GPA by around .12 points, so I am just making sure the update of my application with this grade will not be overlooked.

Sincerely your applicant,

Xxx Xxx "

I kind of want to add the bolded above in the letter, as it will make the schools recognize just how much my GPA will be improved (which will probably be more than they expect). But, it may look a little tacky. What do you think?

Similar to mine but this is what I put.


To Admissions Committee:

I am writing you to inform you of updated Summer Quarter grades which have been completed as of August 18th, 2010. During summer quarter, I was enrolled in a 5 unit course through XYZ school titled “Course name”. I received an A (4.0) in this course which actively increases my cumulative GPA from #.## to #.## and my science GPA from #.## to #.##. I hope that this change will be reflected in your consideration and look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Also included is an unofficial copy of the new transcript for verification. blah blah blah. Any questions feel free to contact me at blah blah blah

Sincerely,
DbDan

 

[DrDre2001]

Similar to mine but this is what I put.


To Admissions Committee:

I am writing you to inform you of updated Summer Quarter grades which have been completed as of August 18th, 2010. During summer quarter, I was enrolled in a 5 unit course through XYZ school titled “Course name”. I received an A (4.0) in this course which actively increases my cumulative GPA from #.## to #.## and my science GPA from #.## to #.##. I hope that this change will be reflected in your consideration and look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Also included is an unofficial copy of the new transcript for verification. blah blah blah. Any questions feel free to contact me at blah blah blah

Sincerely,
DbDan

Cool. And you are emailing this or snail mailing (physical mail) it?

 

[DbDan]

Cool. And you are emailing this or snail mailing (physical mail) it?

Snail mail and signing each one. Plus including a copy of my unofficial transcript.

 

[DrDre2001]

DbDan, when you sent the letters out, how did you address each? Did you just put the general name of the University as the first line? Or did you specify Admissions Office or something similar?

Example (AT Still Kirksville):

Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (Admissions Office)
800 W. Jefferson Street
Kirksville, MO 63501



Should I include the bolded up there ^?

I doubt its a big deal, but I just want to be as correct as possible.

 

[DbDan]

DbDan, when you sent the letters out, how did you address each? Did you just put the general name of the University as the first line? Or did you specify Admissions Office or something similar?

Example (AT Still Kirksville):

Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (Admissions Office)
800 W. Jefferson Street
Kirksville, MO 63501



Should I include the bolded up there ^?

I doubt its a big deal, but I just want to be as correct as possible.

Example of the heading for Drexel:

Drexel University College of Medicine
Office of Admissions
2900 Queen Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19129
Phone: 215-991-8202

To Admissions Committee:

Blah blah blah


Basically, I put their mailing address as the top and then addressed it to the admissions committee. I then mailed it to the same address. I got each one on the admissions office websites so they all went to the admissions office.

 

[BigBoosting]

FYI for others applying to these schools, CCOM said they'd be happy to and VCOM's answer was a "resounding yes" to me asking them if they'd accept an update letter.

Really like both of those schools!

 

[DbDan]

FYI for others applying to these schools, CCOM said they'd be happy to and VCOM's answer was a "resounding yes" to me asking them if they'd accept an update letter.

Really like both of those schools!

👍 Thanks for calling. I may be sending out a letter soon. I've got an interview today for a new part time job as a Physical therapy aide so might be sending that out. Its not medicine but its patient contact in a different way and still clinically relevant. Plus its something new

 

[BigBoosting]

That's awesome! Good luck on your interview. I'm hoping they view the letters as not only me still working hard for the goal, but also that it shows I care if I get into their school. CCOM's my number one so I hope they like it. I'm one or two MCAT points below the average, so I figure anything can help, ha

 

[DbDan]

That's awesome! Good luck on your interview. I'm hoping they view the letters as not only me still working hard for the goal, but also that it shows I care if I get into their school. CCOM's my number one so I hope they like it. I'm one or two MCAT points below the average, so I figure anything can help, ha

Exactly. Figure constant updates will at least give them the idea that you want to go there. I've hopefully got this to update with soon, class ending August 20th to update with new grades (and hopefully a GPA >3.0! WOO), new class enrollment for fall, trying to convince my boss to let me observe neuro surgery all kinds of fun stuff going on haha

 

[DrDre2001]

FYI for others applying to these schools, CCOM said they'd be happy to and VCOM's answer was a "resounding yes" to me asking them if they'd accept an update letter.

Really like both of those schools!

Wait what? So, there are some schools that actually won't look at your updates of your application?

I didn't think anyone would have a problem with it.

 

[BigBoosting]

I figured it was best to ask first.

I know after a certain point they won't...CCOM told me to get it in quick, because since I'm complete I'm liable to be reviewed at any time. So once reviewed, they'd no longer accept the letter. Further, they said it was up to whomever looked at my file as to whether they would consider the additional document. But she said they'd be happy to take it.

 

[DrDre2001]

I figured it was best to ask first.

I know after a certain point they won't...CCOM told me to get it in quick, because since I'm complete I'm liable to be reviewed at any time. So once reviewed, they'd no longer accept the letter. Further, they said it was up to whomever looked at my file as to whether they would consider the additional document. But she said they'd be happy to take it.

I see.

Well, the updates are also on the AACOMAS application, which is not really an "additional" document.