Value of updates letters

[medbunny56]

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Updates letters containing which of the following items could potentially have the greatest value/effect during the admissions cycle?

1. 1st author publication acceptance
2. Upper level science course grades (my current sgpa is 3.49 and cgpa is 3.64)
3. New research position
4. Mid author (5th) publication acceptance

Just trying to plan out my cycle accordingly

Thank you!

@gyngyn @Catalystik @LizzyM I would really appreciate your feedback whenever you get a chance 🙂

 

[NimbleNavigator]

Updates letters containing which of the following items have the greatest value/effect?

1. Accepted first author publications
2. Upper level science course grades
3. New research position
4. Mid author (5th) publication acceptance

Just trying to plan out my cycle accordingly

Thank you!

Obviously #4>#1

 

[Goro]

Just make sure the schools actually accept updates.

Updates letters containing which of the following items have the greatest value/effect?


2. Upper level science course grades

 

[medbunny56]

Just make sure the schools actually accept updates.

So the grade updates are insignificant compared to the first author acceptance?

My cgpa is 3.64 and sgpa is 3.49

 

[Goro]

It's not really going to help with that sGPA. The research powerhouses would like it, but it can't hurt to mention, no matter where you apply.

So the grade updates are insignificant compared to the first author acceptance?

My cgpa is 3.64 and sgpa is 3.49

 

[medbunny56]

It's not really going to help with that sGPA. The research powerhouses would like it, but it can't hurt to mention, no matter where you apply.

okay i will try to take a few science courses during fall and send those grades in January
in the meantime, I will also have 1-2 first author accepted publications during the next 2 months (i hope this will attract the research powerhouses)

 

[Shirafune]

When do we sent updates for first author publications? Only after acceptance or is acceptance with minor revisions okay? How should we show proof of acceptance: acceptance letter from editor, DOI number, attachment of manuscript or what? At what point is an accepted manuscript processed enough for someone to send an update letter?

 

[medbunny56]

actually this to answer this whole question requires
1) knowledge of the applicant's background
2) area/type of update(s)
3) significance of the update(s)
4) point in application process

reporting your spring grades and/or summer grades if sufficiently signficant for someone with a less than stellar GPA may be worthy. However, I believe that grades by themselves usually arent enough to report, even if making the deans's list. Remember you want to make an impact so for most student, it is a combination of items, such as high summer grades and additional volunteer hours or summer research.

use your judgement

I can only take one summer science class versus taking 3-4 fall science courses, would it better to just send the fall grades to schools since it's more than one class? I could take the summer class but I would rather focus on secondaries then go full force on the fall courses and send a few grades to schools as opposed to one to have a stronger impact