Update Letter For Publication

[PlsLetMeInPlz]

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I was recently published in a respectable journal as a middle author. Is this large enough to warrant an update letter? Also I have had interviews from two schools and have yet to hear back, should I send an update letter to them too? I know they have already had adcom meetings, I have not been accepted from one and I don't know if I am accepted until mid-November for the other. I have been kind of getting mixed messages browsing through other threads on this and was hoping for some more specific advice to my situation.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Well there aren't really enough specifics provided here to help us give advice which is specific to your situation 🙂

To me it really depends on 3 things: 1) How important is research to your application? 2) The quality of the paper (and the quality of your contribution); and 3) Are you likely to have anything else to update later? Unless this is a very impactful publication where you played a prominent role, AND research was a prominent part of your application, I think this is unlikely to move the needle by itself. So then my main question is whether you're likely to have any other updates later in the season, because generally I'd recommend bundling updates into one nice, tidy update. I'd much rather get a single update about 2 publications, updated grades, and an award rather than four separate awards. If you think this is likely it for your season then you can probably send the update now; if not, then I'd wait until you have more to share.

 

[SahilMehtaMD]

I think it's a good idea if research is a significant part of your application. The purpose of an application update letter is to say to a medical school, “Hi! I applied to XXX medical school and I am such an awesome applicant that I am still continuing all of these awesome projects/research/extracurriculars that I included in my application.” This letter should be sent to medical schools about 6-10 weeks after you submitted your application to their office and if you have not yet heard back from them.