Update Letter Strategy

[AdductorMagnus]

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Hope everyone is enjoying the first little bit of the marathon as much as I am! I had a quick question regardingapplication updates. A lot has happened since I submitted my primary app. Since applying, I completed a semester of school (4.0GPA) and began working at two new jobs, one being a clinical position with a lot of patient exposure. For the schools that allow updates, I definitely want to let them know about some of these new experiences. I'm not planning on sending updates yet, but I am wondering if anyone knows of a good strategy on how to send updates that could help my application.

When is the right time to send them?
What is the most important thing to get across in the letter?
Should I send them at all?

Any advice would be helpful!

 

[907914]

Hope everyone is enjoying the first little bit of the marathon as much as I am! I had a quick question regardingapplication updates. A lot has happened since I submitted my primary app. Since applying, I completed a semester of school (4.0GPA) and began working at two new jobs, one being a clinical position with a lot of patient exposure. For the schools that allow updates, I definitely want to let them know about some of these new experiences. I'm not planning on sending updates yet, but I am wondering if anyone knows of a good strategy on how to send updates that could help my application.

When is the right time to send them?
What is the most important thing to get across in the letter?
Should I send them at all?

Any advice would be helpful!

Most of the time they should really only be sent post-interview with updates towards truly pertinent things such as new grades, publications and presentations, and other things of that nature. At some schools, such a state the research powerhouses, publications can be updated about with just the abstract pre-II. If you submitted any false information then an update ASAP to correct is recommended *cough* speeding tickets I forgot about *cough*....Overall, the updates function should really only be for truly pertinent information.

 

[AdductorMagnus]

Most of the time they should really only be sent post-interview with updates towards truly pertinent things such as new grades, publications and presentations, and other things of that nature. At some schools, such a state the research powerhouses, publications can be updated about with just the abstract pre-II. If you submitted any false information then an update ASAP to correct is recommended *cough* speeding tickets I forgot about *cough*....Overall, the updates function should really only be for truly pertinent information.

Wait, where are we supposed to put speeding tickets on the application?

I dont know if I agree with simply post-interview updates. If an applicant has significant updates that address a weakness or add significantly to some area of their application, it may be useful to send pre-II in hopes of snagging an II. While the chances are low that it will have an effect, if you dont get an interview you will never have a chance to updates. Besides these updates would be brought up at interview.

In this case pre-II updates would warranted and I would add these now

Thanks for the insight. So, if I were to send a pre-II update, when do you think would be the best time to do so? Surely early August is too soon?

 

[907914]

Some states classify some traffic tickets as misdemeanors. Also I believe a few schools ask for this info. If this is the case for you, then you report it

If you get your update in before your application is evaluated, your update will have most impact. So August is not too soon. Indeed I would suggest updates as soon as you have significant information to do so

Does uploading a document trigger an application for “rereview”

 

[AdductorMagnus]

Some states classify some traffic tickets as misdemeanors. Also I believe a few schools ask for this info. If this is the case for you, then you report it

If you get your update in before your application is evaluated, your update will have most impact. So August is not too soon. Indeed I would suggest updates as soon as you have significant information to do so

@gonnif

Do you think you could give a quick look at an update letter that I drafted? It is fairly concise and should take about 30 seconds to read.

 

[Med Ed]

Does uploading a document trigger an application for “rereview”

No, thank God.