Update letter w/ fall semester grades

[kc1919]

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Hey guys, I'm wondering how to go about sending an update letter to schools with my most recent fall semester grades. Do I just write a letter saying what my new GPA is, or be more specific with the classes and grades? I'm guessing that I don't need to send in a new transcript..

 

[linebacker57]

most schools would like to see an unofficial transcript with your letter, i believe. Just print one out or send it in as a PDF along with an update letter

 

[Catalystik]

Generally, you'll be fine summarizing the fall grades and pertinent classes in narrative form. You need not reveal anything that doesn't reflect positively on you. If you are in a special GPA boosting program, it would be more important to send in an official transcript.

In the same letter you might also give an update on relevant activities, especially if they fill a hole in the original application.

 

[centrigeugle]

Is one semester of classes going to significantly change your GPA?

Are you taking prerequisites that they like to see completed?

If not, then I don't really see the purpose in sending an update letter saying "hey I took some classes (being a student and all) and here are my grades. BTW I still like your school."

Just my $2/100, your mileage may vary, but to me it seems unnecessary, almost redundant. In my totally unqualified opinion, I can absolutely guarantee you that nobody is (re)making decisions based on your most recent term of school.

 

[FattySlug]

Generally, you'll be fine summarizing the fall grades and pertinent classes in narrative form. You need not reveal anything that doesn't reflect positively on you. If you are in a special GPA boosting program, it would be more important to send in an official transcript.

In the same letter you might also give an update on relevant activities, especially if they fill a hole in the original application.

I am missing an English class to fulfill the 1 yr of English and just took it but it looks like I will get a B. Do I have to update? It won't even change my GPA.

 

[Catalystik]

I am missing an English class to fulfill the 1 yr of English and just took it but it looks like I will get a B. Do I have to update? It won't even change my GPA.

You are not obliged/expected to report it. I'd suppose you listed it as a Future or In-Progess course anyway. If not, it will be on your final transcript sent to the med school you'd matriculate at, regardless.

 

[johnisles2011]

I have heard that schools take update letters as a sign of interest. Personally I'll be sneidng them out for that reason despite not having anything ground breaking to say, just a few mildly interesting points and a reaffirmation of my interest

 

[zma21]

LSU sent out a letter requesting updates.

 

[kc1919]

Yeah it won't boost my GPA that much (but hopefully at least a little) but I want to do it as a way to reach out to the schools I still haven't heard anything from.

 

[ZsaZsaM]

You are not obliged/expected to report it. I'd suppose you listed it as a Future or In-Progess course anyway. If not, it will be on your final transcript sent to the med school you'd matriculate at, regardless.

If you listed classes in the "future" section and then decided not to take them, do you have to include that if you send an update letter? They are not required classes, but it seems like a "negative" thing to include. Also, if I choose not to send an update letter at all, am I doing the wrong thing in not letting the school know I will not be taking those classes (until perhaps the interview)?

Just my $2/100, your mileage may vary, but to me it seems unnecessary, almost redundant. In my totally unqualified opinion, I can absolutely guarantee you that nobody is (re)making decisions based on your most recent term of school.

Is there any consensus on whether or not updating with fall grades makes a difference? This refers to a better than cumulative GPA semester GPA, but not a 4.0 or even a 3.8.

 

[varsityblue]

Hey guys, I'm wondering how to go about sending an update letter to schools with my most recent fall semester grades. Do I just write a letter saying what my new GPA is, or be more specific with the classes and grades? I'm guessing that I don't need to send in a new transcript..

A simple update letter will do though you should probably send in an updated transcript to back up what you say.

 

[golgiapparatus88]

I just sent out a simple email that contained my first semester grades. I also had official transcripts sent out but because some schools will be making a post-interview decision soon, I wanted to make sure that they'd be taken into consideration (hence the emailed grades).