Update letter questions

[Mangoenthusiast]

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Hello everyone,
I have some questions about sending an update letter. I applied to 35 schools and have heard back from 4 of them so far (3 II and 1 R).
1) Timing: I have had a few middle author publications come out recently. However, I have a first author manuscript that is far more meaningful to me that’s currently in the review process. The journal told me that I should have a decision sometime the week of November 11th. My current plan is to wait until I hear back about that publication to send out letters. If the journal gets delayed (as often happens) should I pull the trigger and send them out or continue waiting? When is the ideal time/ deadline for sending updates to maximize my chances of more IIs? Is this different for schools like UMich which have an earlier cycle?
2) Which schools should I send these updates to? Should I pick the ones that I feel I have the best shot at or just send it everywhere? My plan was to bundle my updates with a few sentences about how my updates relate to the school/ showing why I would be interested in each school. Should I be sending these to all 31?
3) For post-interview updates, when should I send them? I interviewed at a school that’s my absolute dream… but I am below the tenth percentile for their GPA (slightly above median for MCAT). I’m really afraid of being flat out rejected because of that and want to maximize my chances of acceptance. Should I send them a post-interview update letter now or wait until I’m placed on a waitlist?
Sorry for the long post… I’d appreciate any advice! Thank you!

 

[AJS59]

Hello everyone,
I have some questions about sending an update letter. I applied to 35 schools and have heard back from 4 of them so far (3 II and 1 R).
1) Timing: I have had a few middle author publications come out recently. However, I have a first author manuscript that is far more meaningful to me that’s currently in the review process. The journal told me that I should have a decision sometime the week of November 11th. My current plan is to wait until I hear back about that publication to send out letters. If the journal gets delayed (as often happens) should I pull the trigger and send them out or continue waiting? When is the ideal time/ deadline for sending updates to maximize my chances of more IIs? Is this different for schools like UMich which have an earlier cycle?
2) Which schools should I send these updates to? Should I pick the ones that I feel I have the best shot at or just send it everywhere? My plan was to bundle my updates with a few sentences about how my updates relate to the school/ showing why I would be interested in each school. Should I be sending these to all 31?
3) For post-interview updates, when should I send them? I interviewed at a school that’s my absolute dream… but I am below the tenth percentile for their GPA (slightly above median for MCAT). I’m really afraid of being flat out rejected because of that and want to maximize my chances of acceptance. Should I send them a post-interview update letter now or wait until I’m placed on a waitlist?
Sorry for the long post… I’d appreciate any advice! Thank you!

To answer your questions:

1. It's your call, and all depends on when you want to submit it. The sooner, the better obviously.
2. Send to all schools that accept those updates. But for your purposes don't even bother about showing your interest - you applied, they know you're interested already.
3. Depends on if it's an update or letter of intent. Updates send now, LOIs should wait until waitlist