Unable to follow through with "future plans" listed on secondaries...what to do?

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KatMan

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Many secondaries ask what you will be doing between the time you apply and the time you enroll. When I wrote these, I kept it fairly vague for many of them, but some I discussed a pretty specific volunteer activity that I was getting into.

The problem is, the position fell through. While I was initially told that I could definitely start volunteering "very soon" (even attended an orientation), they eventually ended up telling me all the slots were either full, or you needed a minimum of a CNA. Long story short, I'm unable to volunteer there.

I know that schools generally don't take "future plans" all that seriously, but for at least a few of them I wrote it like I will definitely be starting there (I thought I was...).

-Do I need to send these schools an update letter to let them know that I'm not doing it?

-Would it be better to find another position at a similarly-themed organization so that I can follow through on my stated plans?

-How much would you think schools care about these types things not happening?
 
I would say ideally you could get another position or opportunity pretty much anywhere, and then send an update letter talking about the new position and include a small detail of how the other position didn't work out, so you decided to go with this new one.
 
The problem is, the position fell through. While I was initially told that I could definitely start volunteering "very soon" (even attended an orientation), they eventually ended up telling me all the slots were either full, or you needed a minimum of a CNA. Long story short, I'm unable to volunteer there.

I know that schools generally don't take "future plans" all that seriously, but for at least a few of them I wrote it like I will definitely be starting there (I thought I was...).

-Do I need to send these schools an update letter to let them know that I'm not doing it? No

-Would it be better to find another position at a similarly-themed organization so that I can follow through on my stated plans? Yes, you should find something else to do, doesn't necessarily have to be that similar to your previous position.

-How much would you think schools care about these types things not happening? It's probably not a big deal unless they think you deliberately lied about the activity. In your case you have a legit excuse as to why it fell through.

I would say wait until you get an interview invite, then at the interview take the opportunity to say that the particular volunteer position fell through but you've subsequently found X position and have been volunteering there instead.
 
don't the secondaries say "planned activities"? i'm pretty sure many people don't follow through 100%
 
Thanks for the advice. I already do have another volunteer position (which I also wrote about in some of my secondaries), as well as a job.

I want to send an update letter in hopes that will give me a boost at some of the schools I haven't heard from yet, but was hesitant to do that when this other volunteer 'category' would be conspicuously missing. Good to know it's not necessary to go out and track down a similar spot.

Now I just wonder if I should bring it up in a letter, or just let them come to their own conclusions when they see it's not there...
 
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