Update Advice

[ct303]

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Hey all- advice would be greatly appreciated.

I applied to a lot of schools. I have been complete at most for almost 2 months now without a peep- No rejections, but also no interviews yet.

I was thinking about sending update letters because I have had some pretty significant experiences. Should I send an update pre-interview invite?

Here is what I was thinking about updating with:
I have volunteered at a hospital for the last month or so which has given me great patient exposure and clinical experience.

I have joined a research team at a medical school doing some clinical research that will continue until I matriculate (or at least plan to).

I have spent a few hours shadowing 2 different physicians, and have about 75 more hours planned in the upcoming weeks.

I distributed 3500 pairs of eyeglasses in a third world country. The organization I founded has set a goal to do 5000 in June 2014. Some schools I was able to include this in the secondary, others I wasn't because I was in the middle of distributing when my application was verified.

What would be the best way to go about writing these things up? Any advice on that too?

Thanks in advance!

 

[darkmb101]

Ummm. Whoop-di-do? Good for you? You sound just like everyone else now.....were you not doing these things before you submitted apps?

On hospital volunteering: It sounds pretty generic.
On research: Unless you got published, its no big deal.
On 3rd medical mission trip: Props to you. Just state this in your interview.

 

[justAstudent]

Ummm. Whoop-di-do? Good for you? You sound just like everyone else now.....were you not doing these things before you submitted apps?

On hospital volunteering: It sounds pretty generic.
On research: Unless you got published, its no big deal.
On 3rd medical mission trip: Props to you. Just state this in your interview.

Wow...lol

 

[ct303]

Still seeking legitimate advice

 

[histidine]

I'd definitely update research/volunteering/shadowing. I would leave out the eyeglasses part though....sounds pretty meh.

 

[pietachok]

Still seeking legitimate advice

I essentially agree with Dark, but without the snark. Most updates are not necessary because they don't substantially change the picture you've painted in your application. "I plan to do xyz" isn't worthy of an update, and essentially that's a lot of what you're offering here (you've shadowed a few hours but you're going to do 75 more). People plan lots of things that don't happen, so that isn't really relevant. Of course if you were grossly lacking in shadowing, it might be more relevant to say you've established these relationships.

if you feel you must send a pre interview invitation update, I'd keep it short--shorter than what you wrote here.