What is significant enough to send to schools in an update?

[lil_engine]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Should I update them on getting involved in a new volunteer activity?

 

[mindlight1]

Should I update them on getting involved in a new volunteer activity?

That doesn't sound like enough to move the needle towards a positive response. Will wait to see what the adcoms/advisors here feel are worthy updates.

 

[candbgirl]

Instead of waiting you could just search for update worthy or something similar. There are literally pages of threads about this topic.

 

[DameJulie]

From what I see here, examples include new research publications, new semester grades (if you're still in school), new honors/awards.

 

[Drakozord X]

I agree with the above post. Just to give you a heads up and additional advice, I’ve read somewhere that generally it’s at the end of a school semester. Chances are, if you did start anything after you submitted your secondary, you probably did not make any significant contributions yet. Update the school when you have at least something to show or meaningful to talk about. Also, there is no need to update every single time something has changed. Save them for one big push/shove into medical school. That way you also don’t annoy the school ahaha.

 

[Catalystik]

Should I update them on getting involved in a new volunteer activity?

"Getting involved" isn't going to make a difference in your application (just as projected hours for an ongoing activity won't help you either). Wait until you've given the group a solid number of hours after a few months, and then include the information along with an update on old activities, new grades, and anything else relevant to your application.

 

[candbgirl]

And make sure the schools accept updates. Some do and some don’t.

 

[Goro]

Should I update them on getting involved in a new volunteer activity?

No.
Starting something new is meaningless for an update.

A semester of great grades, a publication or a major award are worth something.

 

[freedoctor17]

I'm gonna hop on here instead of starting a new thread but would a publication be a good update pre interview or only post interview? There are a few research schools I'd love to send an update to about a publication and an abstract/poster presentation (after checking if they allow it first of course) pre interview.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm gonna hop on here instead of starting a new thread but would a publication be a good update pre interview or only post interview? There are a few research schools I'd love to send an update to about a publication and an abstract/poster presentation (after checking if they allow it first of course) pre interview.

Do you have the full citation or PMID# for the accepted paper?

 

[freedoctor17]

Do you have the full citation or PMID# for the accepted paper?

Yep, also if it makes a difference I am third author on the paper and did not do any of the writing although I did create a few figures and did a large portion of the work.

 

[Catalystik]

Yep, also if it makes a difference I am third author on the paper and did not do any of the writing although I did create a few figures and did a large portion of the work.

I think that's update-worthy, along with the abstract accepted for a presentation (I'm assuming it's pre-presentation), for schools welcoming pre-interview updates.

 

[freedoctor17]

I think that's update-worthy, along with the abstract accepted for a presentation (I'm assuming it's pre-presentation), for schools welcoming pre-interview updates.

Follow up question, if I have another manuscript that was accepted but currently still for preprint online (it was submitted to PLOS One), should I mention it as well. This one I'm second author on but the journal isn't as impressive (if impressive at all, not really sure how selective they are). Should I just wait until it goes into print and update about both at once?

 

[Catalystik]

Follow up question, if I have another manuscript that was accepted but currently still for preprint online (it was submitted to PLOS One), should I mention it as well. This one I'm second author on but the journal isn't as impressive (if impressive at all, not really sure how selective they are). Should I just wait until it goes into print and update about both at once?

[I hope you weren't called upon to contribute to their high publication fee].

An e-pub ahead of print (if that's what you meant) would be fine to cite as a publication, so long as you give enough information for the article to be located. So, yes, add this to your update if it can be found online. Otherwise, save it for a future update.

 

[freedoctor17]

[I hope you weren't called upon to contribute to their high publication fee].

An e-pub ahead of print (if that's what you meant) would be fine to cite as a publication, so long as you give enough information for the article to be located. So, yes, add this to your update if it can be found online. Otherwise, save it for a future update.

Alright thank you! Do they have a bad rep or something? I didn't pay anything lol but I have very little knowledge on journals except for the fact that everyone seems to want to publish in nature.

 

[Catalystik]

Do they have a bad rep or something? I didn't pay anything lol but I have very little knowledge on journals except for the fact that everyone seems to want to publish in nature.

I just know it's a pay-to-publish journal, not that Nature doesn't have affiliates that are similar (Example: Experimental & Molecular Medicine).

 

[freedoctor17]

I just know it's a pay-to-publish journal, not that Nature doesn't have affiliates that are similar (Example: Experimental & Molecular Medicine).

Huh well that's a bit disappointing. Got very excited when my mentor told me we were getting a second publication and then got the email the other day saying it was with PLOS.

 

[Catalystik]

Huh well that's a bit disappointing. Got very excited when my mentor told me we were getting a second publication and then got the email the other day saying it was with PLOS.

A pub is a pub is a pub . . .

 

[freedoctor17]

A pub is a pub is a pub . . .

True, as long as the adcoms also think of it that way then good enough for me haha

 

[500miles]

Huh well that's a bit disappointing. Got very excited when my mentor told me we were getting a second publication and then got the email the other day saying it was with PLOS.

Every journal has its purpose and advances a specific part of collective research knowledge. Even if it isnt a high-impact article does not mean that someone does not use it to advance an idea that might one day be a big break through. Be proud!

 

[freedoctor17]

Every journal has its purpose and advances a specific part of collective research knowledge. Even if it isnt a high-impact article does not mean that someone does not use it to advance an idea that might one day be a big break through. Be proud!

True! I'm definitely happy to have any sort of publication at all.