Update Format

[lost]

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I was wondering if anyone could give some pointers as to how one could go about writing an update. Should I just tell the committee as to what I've been upto in paragraph format? Does the update also need to include anything specific about the school itself?
thanks a lot!

 

[PBMaxx]

I am going to combine a letter of update format with a letter of interest format. I am not currently in school (I graduated in May), so that makes my updates a little less concrete. I will let them know what I have been up to and some small specifics about their school that interest me.

Advice is free, and you always get what you pay for.

PB

 

[Attentive]

I was wondering if anyone could give some pointers as to how one could go about writing an update. Should I just tell the committee as to what I've been upto in paragraph format? Does the update also need to include anything specific about the school itself?
thanks a lot!

Like PBMaxx, I also combined a letter of interest with an update. I began the letters by thanking them for opportunity to interview, a brief 3-4 points I found that made the school perfect for me, then a bullet point update of 3 new things. I think the overall point of the update is to succintly express interest/new developlments.

If it's a school seemed worried about your genuine interest in the school, a greater emphasis should be placed on the interest half of the update. A phone call might not be a bad idea either. If it's due to your credentials not being as strong as they'd like, I'd tout more recent accomplishments. Additionally I would send an actual letter than an email.

There are a few other threads you can search for regarding LOIs (interest and intent) that might offer you more insights into the composition you need. Best of luck.

 

[calvin&hobbes]

Like PBMaxx, I also combined a letter of interest with an update. I began the letters by thanking them for opportunity to interview, a brief 3-4 points I found that made the school perfect for me, then a bullet point update of 3 new things. I think the overall point of the update is to succintly express interest/new developlments.

So far, everyone's advice has been great. But do these suggestions also apply to letters that you send before you get an interview (in hopes of getting one)? I'm just wondering how you express interest in the school when you haven't actually been there. For example, would you express your interest in the school's strong curriculum? Or that you like the school's good location?

A phone call might not be a bad idea either.

Just out of curiousity, what would be the purpose of calling after you sent your letter? To check that the office has received it? 😕

Finally, who do you address your (pre-interview) letter to? The dean of admissions or the admissions committee? But will the address be the same as the one that you mailed your application materials? If you mail the letter to the dean, do you write his address on the envelope and c/o to the admissions office address?
Sorry if the answers to these questions seem blatantly obvious to some people. Good luck to all!

 

[Attentive]

So far, everyone's advice has been great. But do these suggestions also apply to letters that you send before you get an interview (in hopes of getting one)? I'm just wondering how you express interest in the school when you haven't actually been there. For example, would you express your interest in the school's strong curriculum? Or that you like the school's good location?



Just out of curiousity, what would be the purpose of calling after you sent your letter? To check that the office has received it? 😕

Finally, who do you address your (pre-interview) letter to? The dean of admissions or the admissions committee? But will the address be the same as the one that you mailed your application materials? If you mail the letter to the dean, do you write his address on the envelope and c/o to the admissions office address?
Sorry if the answers to these questions seem blatantly obvious to some people. Good luck to all!

From what I've read so far in other LOI posts, in the preinterview letter, you can go longer and be more annoying as you have nothing to lose at this stage. Demonstrating specific interest in a school probably would not dissuade adcoms from sending an invite. Unless that is the school deliberately told you not to send any further material. I haven't heard of any such cases myself, but that may be something to watch out for.

I guess what I meant by the phone call is to

a) Like you said confirm receipt (but a secondary reason to)
b) Express genuine interest. Letters may be all well and good, but I personally think that phone calls are more personal and that extra step of interest. IMO, letters are like rehearsed answers in interviews, a conversation may divulge a genuine interest in a more sincere format.
c) Get immediate or a scheduled feedback. I ended my LOI with a "if there are any questions about my application or anything I may do at this time to further strengthen my candidacy, I would very much appreciate your insights."

I addressed mine to the dean of admissions, looked up his/her address on the school directory, and sent it in directly. I'm not sure if that's correct or not...

Well in any case, best of luck.