Update letter

[edgydoc]

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Would it be worthwhile to send an update to schools regarding a job I started a month before sending my primary? I included it on my primary, but at that time I was still in training and couldn’t expound on the job too much. I’ve now been in this position for 6 months and it’s easily become one of my most influential activities.

With that said, I’d like to send an update to some of the schools I’ve applied to who are on the “needier side”, such as George Washington. However, I’m not sure this is a substantial enough update to warrant a letter to schools.

 

[KnightDoc]

Why not? If it's something that would have been a MME if it were ripe at the time of your application, there is no reason not to make it the subject of an update for needy schools. Worst case, it has no impact. It's not going to hurt you.

 

[BeMoConsulting]

Hi there! Something to keep in mind is that update letters usually include significant updates in the life of an applicant. You write it to keep medical schools informed about major accomplishments and professional development experiences that you did not have a chance to show in your application. That being said, one work experience may not be substantial enough for an update letter. Is there anything else you have been doing? Any research, upcoming publications, or volunteering? If you have a couple of meaningful things to share, you could draft a strong update letter. If you don’t, and you still want to write this letter to update schools about your job, make sure you explain how this experience has prepared you for a life in medicine and reflect on the skills it has allowed you to develop and how you see yourself using these skills as a med student and future physician. Showing this alignment between your past experiences and the essential qualities that programs value is important. Hope this helps and best of luck!

 

[Goro]

Would it be worthwhile to send an update to schools regarding a job I started a month before sending my primary? I included it on my primary, but at that time I was still in training and couldn’t expound on the job too much. I’ve now been in this position for 6 months and it’s easily become one of my most influential activities.

With that said, I’d like to send an update to some of the schools I’ve applied to who are on the “needier side”, such as George Washington. However, I’m not sure this is a substantial enough update to warrant a letter to schools.

Don't waste their time, nor yours.

 

[arnim]

Don't waste their time, nor yours.

I don’t want to waste a thread on this Goro, but I’ve been thinking about drafting an update letter with some community service work I’ve been doing (donating formula, items for new mothers, protein/nutrition shakes for toddlers, and face shields for works that are in excess from my medical office through a non-profit) Aside from this I’ve continued to work as a front-line employee administering COVID vaccines and now am starting to administer the new vaccine to children at my office. Would these things warrant a letter and would it be received well? Sorry for hijacking another thread.

 

[Goro]

I don’t want to waste a thread on this Goro, but I’ve been thinking about drafting an update letter with some community service work I’ve been doing (donating formula, items for new mothers, protein/nutrition shakes for toddlers, and face shields for works that are in excess from my medical office through a non-profit) Aside from this I’ve continued to work as a front-line employee administering COVID vaccines and now am starting to administer the new vaccine to children at my office. Would these things warrant a letter and would it be received well? Sorry for hijacking another thread.

Going full NYer on you...hold very still:

Admissions Dean: [runs of of office and shouts to his/her admin ass't] "We have to invite this kid for an interview!!! They've been staying busy!!!!"

How likely is the above scenario?

Do it for Gtown and Jefferson OR U Penn and Mayo, dpending upon which class of schools you're applying to. Otherwise, a an update should contain something significant. A semester of great grades; a major scholarship; a publication

 

[arnim]

Going full NYer on you...hold very still:

Admissions Dean: [runs of of office and shouts to his/her admin ass't] "We have to invite this kid for an interview!!! They've been staying busy!!!!"

How likely is the above scenario?

Do it for Gtown and Jefferson OR U Penn and Mayo, dpending upon which class of schools you're applying to. Otherwise, a an update should contain something significant. A semester of great grades; a major scholarship; a publication

Thought it might be worthy for the more community service focused schools but framing it full New Yorker like that makes it pretty clear. Thanks for saving me from myself!

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

3 schools that I sent updates to regarding a job promotion and some additional extracurricular (well I guess extraoccupational) gave me interviews within 2 weeks of me sending the update letter.

I don’t think it was related to the content of the letter but instead demonstrated interest. For these schools I was above the 90th percentiles for GPA and MCAT

What do you have to lose by sending it?

Tldr and n=1, but I think that updates related to jobs can highlight demonstrated interest even if there is no “wow” factor

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

Going full NYer on you...hold very still:

Admissions Dean: [runs of of office and shouts to his/her admin ass't] "We have to invite this kid for an interview!!! They've been staying busy!!!!"

Does the admissions Dean actually participate in offering/screening interviews? I always thought deans were like the chief executives of the office and don’t have much input in day to day operations?

Do deans have veto power on interviews/acceptances