Update after waitlisted

[omegalulz]

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Adcoms of SDN, please chime in, is it worth to send these updates to boost my chance:

- Promotion to Scribe Trainer (leadership position)
- Another promotion to a management position in a few weeks (will not send until I actually get it)
- New paper submission (research was probably my biggest weakness as a whole but I already have another submitted paper - still under review)

School: T20 which does seem to emphasize leadership.

Trying everything I can do turn around the heartbreaking WL to my dream school but definitely dont want to send in something that just hurt my chances. Also afraid that not sending anything would make it look like I'm not interested (I do have other acceptances). Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Moko]

Adcoms of SDN, please chime in, is it worth to send these updates to boost my chance:

- Promotion to Scribe Trainer (leadership position)
- Another promotion to a management position in a few weeks (will not send until I actually get it)
- New paper submission (research was probably my biggest weakness as a whole but I already have another submitted paper - still under review)

School: T20 which does seem to emphasize leadership.

Trying everything I can do turn around the heartbreaking WL to my dream school but definitely dont want to send in something that just hurt my chances. Also afraid that not sending anything would make it look like I'm not interested (I do have other acceptances). Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

All of these updates are positive, though are unlikely to move the needle much.
- That you were entrusted with additional responsibilities is good, but without having been in these leadership experiences, we won't know what will be gained or contributed.
- It would be worthwhile to wait until you receive a decision from the journal. A manuscript acceptance with revisions, for example, will carry weight. A submission by itself will not. Almost all PIs will aim high and then keep resubmitting to other lesser journals until one bites. Most adcom members have been through this rodeo and are very aware of this practice.
- Regardless of the journal's decision, I would recommend focusing on what you have gained over the past several months from your research experience. That will be much more helpful in an update if these were not emphasized in your primary or secondary application.

Also, what other factors make this your dream school? If it is due to geographic limitations (e.g wanting to be close to family, a significant other, or your support network), then be sure to include or re-emphasize this. As with any correspondence, keep it short and sweet. The more that's written, the more diluted the important stuff becomes. Also, unless the school explicitly asks for updates and love letters, don't bother. The most useful updates from what I saw last cycle were those that happened later in the cycle once waitlist movement had begun in earnest. Just my thoughts. Good luck.

 

[omegalulz]

Thank you for your insight. Since the waitlist movement will not start until May, I think I will wait until closer to send my updates and love letters (and hopefully for the manuscript). One of my biggest reasons is being closer to my spouse, which totally did not occur to me to include in the letter until you mention, so thank you so much 🙂

 

[licensed to ill]

All of these updates are positive, though are unlikely to move the needle much.
- That you were entrusted with additional responsibilities is good, but without having been in these leadership experiences, we won't know what will be gained or contributed.
- It would be worthwhile to wait until you receive a decision from the journal. A manuscript acceptance with revisions, for example, will carry weight. A submission by itself will not. Almost all PIs will aim high and then keep resubmitting to other lesser journals until one bites. Most adcom members have been through this rodeo and are very aware of this practice.
- Regardless of the journal's decision, I would recommend focusing on what you have gained over the past several months from your research experience. That will be much more helpful in an update if these were not emphasized in your primary or secondary application.

Also, what other factors make this your dream school? If it is due to geographic limitations (e.g wanting to be close to family, a significant other, or your support network), then be sure to include or re-emphasize this. As with any correspondence, keep it short and sweet. The more that's written, the more diluted the important stuff becomes. Also, unless the school explicitly asks for updates and love letters, don't bother. The most useful updates from what I saw last cycle were those that happened later in the cycle once waitlist movement had begun in earnest. Just my thoughts. Good luck.

Thoughts on a manuscript that has been submitted --> reviewed --> revisions done --> resubmitted with revisions and is pending acceptance? Mentioned alongside other things (acceptance of an abstract at a conference, volunteer experience etc.)

Or alternatively, if you have an abstract accepted to a conference, is it fair to simply mention you've also submitted a manuscript if it's the same project (even though it has yet to be peer reviewed)? @Moko