What to send in for an update letter?

[deleted436726]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm on the waitlist after interviewing at a few schools and I'd like to send in an update letter to show my continued interest and hopefully increase my chances of eventually getting in. Problem is, I'm not sure I have anything substantial to add. Done with the MCAT, not currently taking any classes, and nothing exciting happening at work. Basically I can't do much except profess my undying love for each of the schools. I can get a good LOR from an old PI I used to work for, but I'm not sure if it's customary to send in additional letters as part of an update.

Thoughts?

 

[gyngyn]

We know that you are sending these to every school where you are waitlisted that is "better" than the one where you are accepted.
That's why these updates get so little traction.

 

[deleted436726]

We know that you are sending these to every school where you are waitlisted that is "better" than the one where you are accepted.
That's why they get so little traction.

Heh, that almost makes me think it'd be better to not send in anything so that they think I've already been accepted somewhere better 😛

 

[cactus8910]

Heh, that almost makes me think it'd be better to not send in anything so that they think I've already been accepted somewhere better 😛

And if they think you've been accepted somewhere better and would go there instead, why would they then accept you?

 

[nOchemallday]

I'm on the waitlist after interviewing at a few schools and I'd like to send in an update letter to show my continued interest and hopefully increase my chances of eventually getting in. Problem is, I'm not sure I have anything substantial to add. Done with the MCAT, not currently taking any classes, and nothing exciting happening at work. Basically I can't do much except profess my undying love for each of the schools. I can get a good LOR from an old PI I used to work for, but I'm not sure if it's customary to send in additional letters as part of an update.

Thoughts?

I'm in the same boat (with the exception that I hold 0 acceptances). The only advice I received, and that I'm able to pass on, is that it depends on the school. Some schools arre open to waitlist updates, other schools are not. So far, the waitlists I'm on make it very obvious where they stand on the "to update or not to update" fence.

As long as the school accepts updates, find something (anything!) to update them with. Keep it short and to the point. You know it's not substantial, they know it's not substantial, don't waste anyone's time. But you still want your name to get seen again. Then around April 30th (the new acceptance decision date) send in your letter of intent/interest. Obviously if it's a ranked waitlist this means nothing as I don't believe you can influence your rank. If you will absolutely attend a waitlist school if accepted, let them know that in this intent/interest letter. They know you like them, so give a compelling reason as to why they need you/why you would be good at their school. They will pay little attention to the updates prior to the LOI, but imho it is only advantegeous to show your continued interest (assuming they welcome updates). If there is nothing revolutionary to update with, I would think it'd be better to show sustained interest than send nothing and hope for the best.

 

[gyngyn]

Heh, that almost makes me think it'd be better to not send in anything so that they think I've already been accepted somewhere better 😛

We'll find out where you've been accepted soon enough!

 

[deleted436726]

I'm in the same boat (with the exception that I hold 0 acceptances). The only advice I received, and that I'm able to pass on, is that it depends on the school. Some schools arre open to waitlist updates, other schools are not. So far, the waitlists I'm on make it very obvious where they stand on the "to update or not to update" fence.

As long as the school accepts updates, find something (anything!) to update them with. Keep it short and to the point. You know it's not substantial, they know it's not substantial, don't waste anyone's time. But you still want your name to get seen again. Then around April 30th (the new acceptance decision date) send in your letter of intent/interest. Obviously if it's a ranked waitlist this means nothing as I don't believe you can influence your rank. If you will absolutely attend a waitlist school if accepted, let them know that in this intent/interest letter. They know you like them, so give a compelling reason as to why they need you/why you would be good at their school. They will pay little attention to the updates prior to the LOI, but imho it is only advantegeous to show your continued interest (assuming they welcome updates). If there is nothing revolutionary to update with, I would think it'd be better to show sustained interest than send nothing and hope for the best.

Yep, all of my waitlist schools are places I would not hesitate to attend if accepted. I guess I'll wait until April 30 rolls around and send in whatever I can scrounge up for an update.

 

[crossingthefingers]

What is the protocol around sending in additional letters? Is it okay to have a new person write a letter that says "Since June/July/August I have developed a relationship with this student and so here is what I think about them"?

 

[Goro]

Why do people think that one more glowing LOR will make the Admissions dean jump out of his/her chair and scream out to the secretary "Gladys, invite this kid right now!!! He has one more LOR!!!"

?

What is the protocol around sending in additional letters? Is it okay to have a new person

write a letter that says "Since June/July/August I have developed a relationship with this student and so here is what I think about them"?

 

[deleted436726]

Why do people think that one more glowing LOR will make the Admissions dean jump out of his/her chair and scream out to the secretary "Gladys, invite this kid right now!!! He has one more LOR!!!"

?

So, then what *would* "make the Admissions dean jump out of his/her chair"? 😛

 

[gyngyn]

So, then what *would* "make the Admissions dean jump out of his/her chair"? 😛

I can't think of a thing.

 

[Goro]

A Cell or Nature publication, or semester full of A's.

So, then what *would* "make the Admissions dean jump out of his/her chair"? 😛

 

[ridethecliche]

We'll find out where you've been accepted soon enough!

Even if the applicant is waitlisted at your institution?

So, then what *would* "make the Admissions dean jump out of his/her chair"? 😛

At this point? Probably nothing. Work updates/classes are nice. If your grades went up in rough semester, then that's certainly a good thing. Other than that publications are also good.

If you're already interviewed and then waitlisted, then the school knows you already. They've evaluated you already and if they're holding back because of grades then that's good, but it's likely that you just didn't impress them enough during the interview. Hard to change that with a letter.

 

[gyngyn]

Even if the applicant is waitlisted at your institution?



At this point? Probably nothing. Work updates/classes are nice. If your grades went up in rough semester, then that's certainly a good thing. Other than that publications are also good.

If you're already interviewed and then waitlisted, then the school knows you already. They've evaluated you already and if they're holding back because of grades then that's good, but it's likely that you just didn't impress them enough during the interview. Hard to change that with a letter.

The reason for a waitlist at my school will not be changed by anything in an update.
We'll see where waitlisters are holding acceptances in March.

 

[medic86]

A Cell or Nature publication, or semester full of A's.

Bahahaha.

The first part made me crack up. That impact factor, though. 😛

 

[ridethecliche]

The reason for a waitlist at my school will not be changed by anything in an update.

You missed what I was saying... I was asking if you see where people you waitlisted were accepted elsewhere. That seems kind of weird to me.

Edit: Just saw you said you can see that in March. Woah! When in March is it traditionally? That's cray!

 

[gyngyn]

You missed what I was saying... I was asking if you see where people you waitlisted were accepted elsewhere. That seems kind of weird to me.

Edit: Just saw you said you can see that in March. Woah! When in March is it traditionally? That's cray!

Ides of March last year.

 

[FFH]

The reason for a waitlist at my school will not be changed by anything in an update.

What are the reasons that people get waitlisted at your school if you don't mind me asking?

 

[gyngyn]

What are the reasons that people get waitlisted at your school if you don't mind me asking?

Not quite as wonderful as the accepted students: good communications/interpersonal skills instead of excellent...

 

[FFH]

Not quite as wonderful as the accepted students: good communications/interpersonal skills instead of excellent...

I see. That is indeed something hard to update by an update.

 

[ridethecliche]

I see. That is indeed something hard to update by an update.

 

[senzen]

Why do people think that one more glowing LOR will make the Admissions dean jump out of his/her chair and scream out to the secretary "Gladys, invite this kid right now!!! He has one more LOR!!!"

?

Hahaha, that made me laugh.

 

[FFH]

where did this scene come from?

 

[ridethecliche]

where did this scene come from?

Catch me if you can. Great movie!

 

[ridethecliche]

@gyngyn as an aside, I'm sending an update letter with a few new accepted publications and including two submissions. Do you think such updates take away from clinical interest? I.e. does submitting a letter with lots of research focus without a description of clinical experiences or patient vignettes make a candidate look too research heavy? I described my job quite well in my PS and in AMCAS as a most meaningful experience and I see no need to rehash old information. I'm just concerned that not doing so makes me come off as not really being interested in patient care, which isn't really accurate.

Thanks!

 

[gyngyn]

@gyngyn as an aside, I'm sending an update letter with a few new accepted publications and including two submissions. Do you think such updates take away from clinical interest? I.e. does submitting a letter with lots of research focus without a description of clinical experiences or patient vignettes make a candidate look too research heavy? I described my job quite well in my PS and in AMCAS as a most meaningful experience and I see no need to rehash old information. I'm just concerned that not doing so makes me come off as not really being interested in patient care, which isn't really accurate.

Thanks!

No one will infer disinterest in clinical medicine because of your resesearch. Congratulations!

 

[ridethecliche]

No one will infer disinterest in clinical medicine because of your resesearch. Congratulations!

Thank you kindly!

 

[RedPhys]

Why do people think that one more glowing LOR will make the Admissions dean jump out of his/her chair and scream out to the secretary "Gladys, invite this kid right now!!! He has one more LOR!!!"

?

Not even if it's the head of a department at your own institution? (e.g. department head of Cardiology sends a letter/email about applicant X, who has been doing research, etc. in the department, directly to the dean)

 

[gyngyn]

Not even if it's the head of a department at your own institution? (e.g. department head of Cardiology sends a letter/email about applicant X, who has been doing research, etc. in the department, directly to the dean)

Phone calls like this do happen, but they are not in the form of an update by the applicant.

 

[ridethecliche]

Not even if it's the head of a department at your own institution? (e.g. department head of Cardiology sends a letter/email about applicant X, who has been doing research, etc. in the department, directly to the dean)

That might be nice, but how well can that distant person really speak to your application?

Phone calls like this do happen, but they are not in the form of an update by the applicant.

Do they ever yield interviews and acceptances? I can see a call like this leading to an acceptance off the waitlist perhaps, especially if it's at the same institution, but will it grant interviews? I suppose it might if the person is high ranking enough.

All the attendings I work for have offered to make calls for me. I'm not sure I'll take them up on the offer unless I'm on a waitlist. I don't know what good it could do.

 

[Goro]

Things like this may yield a courtesy interview, but rarely an acceptance. BTW, I've seen LORs from US Senators and Nobel Laureates. They don't help a marginal candidate.

Do they ever yield interviews and acceptances? I can see a call like this leading to an acceptance off the waitlist perhaps, especially if it's at the same institution, but will it grant interviews? I suppose it might if the person is high ranking enough.

Really, it won't do anything.
All the attendings I work for have offered to make calls for me. I'm not sure I'll take them up on the offer unless I'm on a waitlist. I don't know what good it could do.