Update letter without the letter of interest bit

[ihopeigetit]

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Is that ok? I want to be short and to the point and beyond saying something like "I look forward to the possibility of matriculating at {your institution}" I wasn't going to include stuff about my interest in the school. I mean I already applied and interviewed, my interest would seem obvious at this point. Thoughts?

 

[sundancing]

I think that is fine, unless you have been waitlisted. If you're waitlisted, I would definitely describe your interest in the school in full detail.

 

[ihopeigetit]

I think that is fine, unless you have been waitlisted. If you're waitlisted, I would definitely describe your interest in the school in full detail.

Nope, waiting on a decision. I agree, any waitlisting would garner a much more serious letter of interest or intent on its own.

 

[DokterMom]

Is that ok? I want to be short and to the point and beyond saying something like "I look forward to the possibility of matriculating at {your institution}" I wasn't going to include stuff about my interest in the school. I mean I already applied and interviewed, my interest would seem obvious at this point. Thoughts?

I disagree. Why are you writing this? To get in, right?

Without specifics on why you want to go to that specific school, your letter will read like "AMCAS Application, Part III" -- so generic to any school. If I were reading your letter and it made no reference to what you especially liked about my school, I'd suspect you were sending the exact same letter to five schools, and couldn't be bothered to personalize it even a bit for mine. So clearly, my school isn't your first choice....

You don't go nuts with the personalization. Just something unique and sincere to each --

 

[ihopeigetit]

I disagree. Why are you writing this? To get in, right?

Without specifics on why you want to go to that specific school, your letter will read like "AMCAS Application, Part III" -- so generic to any school. If I were reading your letter and it made no reference to what you especially liked about my school, I'd suspect you were sending the exact same letter to five schools, and couldn't be bothered to personalize it even a bit for mine. So clearly, my school isn't your first choice....

You don't go nuts with the personalization. Just something unique and sincere to each --

What about a quick blurb at the end that's a short paragraph long?

As a quick example: Along with this update I'd like to take a moment to talk about why I feel that I am a good fit for your school and vice versa. Reason X,Y, and most importantly Z.

I promise X, Y and Z will be good, sincere reasons. Would that do the job without being too long winded?

 

[DokterMom]

What about a quick blurb at the end that's a short paragraph long?

As a quick example: Along with this update I'd like to take a moment to talk about why I feel that I am a good fit for your school and vice versa. Reason X,Y, and most importantly Z.

I promise X, Y and Z will be good, sincere reasons. Would that do the job without being too long winded?

Yes, exactly the thing to do --

 

[ridethecliche]

I sent a bunch of impersonal update letters to all the schools I hadn't heard back from in mid november. They were phrased like amcas activity blurbs. I did pick up some interviews after that, but I'm not sure how much it had to do with the letters.

As it has been almost a month, I'm going to reach out to a few schools I haven't heard back from with more personal letters. I've already started doing this for a few places.

 

[ihopeigetit]

Yes, exactly the thing to do --

If I'm going that far, would a small sentence at the end like a letter of intent be too far? (If I was accepted, I would go to this school, so it is not at all a lie)

Edit: Or are things like that more for a letter after a waitlist decision?

 

[BurbyPrep89]

Post-Interview, it seemed a little disingenuous to tell each school, you're my number one when I sent updates. It was early in the cycle though and I considered that I should (seem to) give it some thought before making declarations. I simply thanked the committee for its review and ended with a "sincerely, Burbs..." I did send thank you letters (like in the mail) that were short but stated exactly what I loved about the school.

Pre-Interview, yeah a little blurb about what inspired you to apply and what is keeping you sincerely interested in the school is a good idea.

An AdCom member at a school described the process like dating - a strange but somewhat apt analogy. You want to come on just strong enough.

 

[DokterMom]

If I'm going that far, would a small sentence at the end like a letter of intent be too far? (If I was accepted, I would go to this school, so it is not at all a lie)

Edit: Or are things like that more for a letter after a waitlist decision?

Not necessary. I'd stick to why you like them and are a great fit and save the "I like you best" for a waitlist situation

 

[breakintheroof]

I feel you, OP. While waiting for decisions (or interview invites, or waitlist movement), it feels like there should be something, anything, you can do to influence the process. Therefore, updates!

As for how to write them, there are so many opinions on such a small topic! This thread is trending in the pro-personalization direction. I started a similar thread (for pre-invite letters mostly) that went the other way. In the end it is unlikely to make much, if any, difference, and I suspect you can use your judgment. Did you get a sense of whether the school wants to hear from applicants about their interest? Do you feel comfortable telling them how you feel about them?

Good luck!

 

[Lamel]

I think at this point I would add a little paragraph of specific interest for the school in my update letter.