Writing Update Letters

[aspiringphysician100]

Hi everyone and happy holidays! I’m planning on writing a few update letters for several schools I’m really interested in, and wanted to know how these should look like and what sort of content should they include?

Also is there a difference between letters of interest vs update letters?

Thank you in advance.

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[AsclepiusAdvisingLLC]

The SDN network has a good page about this:

If at first you don’t succeed, write an update letter! - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

An update letter should be substantive in content and well-presented. It's not a casual update to someone you know. It should be written with the same attention to detail and form as your other writings to the ADCOMs.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

The difference between writing a letter of interest and update letters is the goal of your letter. Most of us know you are interested. Updates are meant to provide a professional significant and relevant change to your application profile. Note that many schools won't accept update letters after you submit your application, and letters of interest or intent aren't taken seriously (but always ask).

Also read

From Waitlist to Offer: Inside an Admissions Committee - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[AJS59]

Hi everyone and happy holidays! I’m planning on writing a few update letters for several schools I’m really interested in, and wanted to know how these should look like and what sort of content should they include?

Also is there a difference between letters of interest vs update letters?

Thank you in advance.

Rule of thumb for update letters: KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid, or Keep It Stupid Simple). Updates should be brief and to the point, and should only encompass stuff that you haven't previously mentioned in AMCAS (ex. new publications, new job/volunteer experience, etc.). And when writing update letters, don't try to explain why ________ relates to _________ or make it a whole secondary; your job is just to provide the update.

 

[LindaAccepted]

Hi everyone and happy holidays! I’m planning on writing a few update letters for several schools I’m really interested in, and wanted to know how these should look like and what sort of content should they include?

Also is there a difference between letters of interest vs update letters?

Thank you in advance.

I agree with what was said above. Just to add a little on the difference between update letters and letters of intent. Letters of intent typically say that you "intend" to accept an offer of admission because the school you're writing to is your first choice. It may/should also relate recent noteworthy experiences.

Update letters don't claim that the school you are writing to is you're first choice. The mere fact that you applied and are writing the letter indicates your interest.

Most schools do not give much credence to letters of intent, or at least the intent part of it because they frequently receive them, extend an offer, and the admitted student decides to go elsewhere.

I suggest sending update letters to schools that accept them. Some even encourage them provided the updates are material; in the latter case, it's even recommended.

 

[aspiringphysician100]

Thank you all so much!

 

[aspiringphysician100]

Thank you again for all the help. I have a draft update letter and was hoping to send it over early next week. Since some schools don’t accept, do you recommend emailing the admissions office to ask if I can send it over? Or should I just upload it to the AMP portal?

 

[Med Ed]

Since some schools don’t accept, do you recommend emailing the admissions office to ask if I can send it over? Or should I just upload it to the AMP portal?

Are you asking how to send updates to schools that explicitly say the don't accept updates?

 

[AJS59]

Thank you again for all the help. I have a draft update letter and was hoping to send it over early next week. Since some schools don’t accept, do you recommend emailing the admissions office to ask if I can send it over? Or should I just upload it to the AMP portal?

If they say they don't accept that means they don't accept. Please follow admissions office instructions

 

[LindaAccepted]

Thank you again for all the help. I have a draft update letter and was hoping to send it over early next week. Since some schools don’t accept, do you recommend emailing the admissions office to ask if I can send it over? Or should I just upload it to the AMP portal?

If they don't want updates, don't send updates via portal, email, carrier pigeon or any other means. The best result is that you waste your time because they ignore the update. The worst is that you annoy them.

 

[aspiringphysician100]

Sorry for the misunderstanding, everyone. Of course I will uphold admission policies, but I’m confused as to which schools accept and don’t accept. What I meant was that since some schools don’t accept updates, and I am unsure which schools they are, should I email the admissions office to ask whether or not they accept?

Thank you!

 

[AJS59]

Sorry for the misunderstanding, everyone. Of course I will uphold admission policies, but I’m confused as to which schools accept and don’t accept. What I meant was that since some schools don’t accept updates, and I am unsure which schools they are, should I email the admissions office to ask whether or not they accept?

Thank you!

In that case, a brief polite email asking if updates are accepted is sufficient

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Sorry for the misunderstanding, everyone. Of course I will uphold admission policies, but I’m confused as to which schools accept and don’t accept. What I meant was that since some schools don’t accept updates, and I am unsure which schools they are, should I email the admissions office to ask whether or not they accept?

Thank you!

It sounds like you are trying to send update letters to school.s that haven't given you an II. Is that correct?

Many schools will explicitly mention their policies on updates on their website, their applicant portal, or communication to applicants and interviewed candidates. You can also email them.

There is no reason why you should be "unsure" which schools don't accept updates. They should tell you what the proper etiquette is (again: website, portal, emails).

 

[aspiringphysician100]

It sounds like you are trying to send update letters to school.s that haven't given you an II. Is that correct?

Many schools will explicitly mention their policies on updates on their website, their applicant portal, or communication to applicants and interviewed candidates. You can also email them.

There is no reason why you should be "unsure" which schools don't accept updates. They should tell you what the proper etiquette is (again: website, portal, emails).

Yes, these are schools where I haven’t got an II, but have high hopes.

Upon checking, most of the schools simply say that the proper place to upload updates is the portal. Would it be fine to just upload the letter to the portal in this case, without notifying the admissions office via email? I want to make sure the letter is received and hope it doesn’t go missed which is why I’m concerned.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Yes, these are schools where I haven’t got an II, but have high hopes.

Upon checking, most of the schools simply say that the proper place to upload updates is the portal. Would it be fine to just upload the letter to the portal in this case, without notifying the admissions office via email? I want to make sure the letter is received and hope it doesn’t go missed which is why I’m concerned.

Yes, it would be fine to upload the letter to the portal. You should get acknowledgement on the portal or via email after you upload.