When to send update letter?

[MedPR]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Pretty straight forward. I've searched SDN and answers range anywhere from August to sometime after Fall grades.

 

[wjs010]

MedPr, sorry I don't have an answer, but can you aware me on what exactly is an update letter? thanks

 

[NeuroLAX]

Before and/or after interviewing, whenever you have something substantial with which to update the adcom. You want to make sure you keep in touch so the school knows you're still interested.

 

[NeuroLAX]

I bookmarked a really awesome thread about update letters and letters of intent, but my internet bookmarks got wiped when I set up my internet in the new apartment 😡

If I find it again I'll post it here. There was an applicant who posted her update letters and letters of intent to her MDapps, I'll also try and locate it, as I found it useful.

 

[MedPR]

MedPr, sorry I don't have an answer, but can you aware me on what exactly is an update letter? thanks

It's a letter in which you write about things you've done since submitting your application. New grades, volunteering, work, etc.

 

[dntke1518]

100 % of the people who have participated in this poll to date suggest that you do it after fall grades, that way you have more info and relevant stuff to send to them.

PS. I am the only one who has voted.

 

[chiddler]

Update letter?

Are these mandatory or is it just icing on the cake?

 

[DrMeows]

Update letter?

Are these mandatory or is it just icing on the cake?

Not mandatory, but shows the school you're improving yourself and interested in their school (rather than just being one of the many on your laundry list of schools)

I've also been told by an admissions committee before that if you end up being waitlisted, they'll go back and see how many times you update them to see how interested you are....food for thought

 

[Night Hawk]

.

 

[michow87]

PER-INTERVIEW
Once your secondaries are out, send one every 1.5-2 months to schools you haven't heard back from yet. This lets the schools know that you are proactive about your pursuit of a career in medicine and your efforts show an interest in their institution. Also, only send out the letter if there is something new. Don't send an update letter saying something like, "I'm still volunteering at [insert institution name]".

POST-INTERVIEW
If you get interviews and get wait listed, send update letters about 1-1.5 months post-wait list status and also send a "letter of intent" to the school you most want to get into. The reason why you should keep sending the updates is that it forces the school to keep pulling your file as well as the reasons I explained above. This should improve your chances of getting accepted off the wait list unless the school ranks you on their wait list right away.

 

[DrMeows]

PER-INTERVIEW
Once your secondaries are out, send one every 1.5-2 months to schools you haven't heard back from yet. This lets the schools know that you are proactive about your pursuit of a career in medicine and your efforts show an interest in their institution. Also, only send out the letter if there is something new. Don't send an update letter saying something like, "I'm still volunteering at [insert institution name]".

POST-INTERVIEW
If you get interviews and get wait listed, send update letters about 1-1.5 months post-wait list status and also send a "letter of intent" to the school you most want to get into. The reason why you should keep sending the updates is that it forces the school to keep pulling your file as well as the reasons I explained above. This should improve your chances of getting accepted off the wait list unless the school ranks you on their wait list right away.

👍 🙂