When is a good time to send an update to a school?

[florida91]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Sorry if this is common knowledge or something, but people always talk about sending updates to schools - when is the right time to do this? I submitted my primary on the first day and am just wondering when a good time is to send some updates to schools. Is it usually done around September or October?

Specifically, I would be adding spring grades (school is on the quarter system), new work experience, new volunteer experience, and maybe more details on my gap year job?

Any advice would be seriously appreciated!

 

[Lya]

It really depends on how your application cycle turns out over time. There is no right or wrong answer.

Since you submitted your primary not too long ago, I wouldn't send the updates in September unless specifically requested by medical schools. Usually, interview invitations should come in during August or September since you submitted your application early. First, after you submit your secondaries, simply wait for interview invitations a little bit, maybe until the end of September. Be patient. Check the school websites and/or specific school threads in SDN to see whether certain medical schools welcome update letters. See when other applicants typically expect or have already received interview invites.

If you feel you should deserve interview invites from your top choice schools, then that's when I would consider sending some update letters. It could be December for some schools, while it could be even next year for others. Again, check the school website and/or specific school threads to see how things turn out for other applicants. You could also send some update letters post-interview, especially when you get waitlisted. But, you don't have to worry about that now.

 

[florida91]

It really depends on how your application cycle turns out over time. There is no right or wrong answer.

Since you submitted your primary not too long ago, I wouldn't send the updates in September unless specifically requested by medical schools. Usually, interview invitations should come in during August or September since you submitted your application early. First, after you submit your secondaries, simply wait for interview invitations a little bit, maybe until the end of September. Be patient. Check the school websites and/or specific school threads in SDN to see whether certain medical schools welcome update letters. See when other applicants typically expect or have already received interview invites.

If you feel you should deserve interview invites from your top choice schools, then that's when I would consider sending some update letters. It could be December for some schools, while it could be even next year for others. Again, check the school website and/or specific school threads to see how things turn out for other applicants. You could also send some update letters post-interview, especially when you get waitlisted. But, you don't have to worry about that now.

Thanks so much for your answer! That clears up a lot because I was unsure if that was something you do if you haven't gotten an interview invite or afterwards when you're waiting to hear back. But I guess I have plenty of time to figure it out so thanks again!