Writing Update Letters

Started by aspiringphysician100
BU Medical Sciences
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aspiringphysician100

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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.
 
The SDN network has a good page about this:

www.studentdoctor.net

If at first you don’t succeed, write an update letter! | Student Doctor Network | SDN

By this time in the year, the medical application process is beginning to come to a close. If you were an applicant this cycle, you know firsthand what a
www.studentdoctor.net 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.
 
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
www.studentdoctor.net

From Waitlist to Offer: Inside an Admissions Committee | Student Doctor Network | SDN

You are finally done with your interviews, so let the waiting games begin! In March, health professions programs will begin securing seats for the next
www.studentdoctor.net www.studentdoctor.net
 
aspiringphysician100 said:
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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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.
 
aspiringphysician100 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
aspiringphysician100 said:
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?
Click to expand...
If they say they don't accept that means they don't accept. Please follow admissions office instructions
 
aspiringphysician100 said:
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?
Click to expand...
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.
 
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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!
 
aspiringphysician100 said:
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!
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In that case, a brief polite email asking if updates are accepted is sufficient
 
aspiringphysician100 said:
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!
Click to expand...
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).
 
Mr.Smile12 said:
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).
Click to expand...
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.
 
aspiringphysician100 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Joining this thread! on my AMCAS app I had my EMT hours in a rural area, due to moving I began working as an EMT in a metropolitan area a couple months ago. For schools that accept update letters, would you recommend that I send one about this job switch and maybe contrast the differences that i've seen? I figured it might help with the schools that I applied to in metropolitan areas who have similar populations and health care systems?
 
Invincible$ said:
Joining this thread! on my AMCAS app I had my EMT hours in a rural area, due to moving I began working as an EMT in a metropolitan area a couple months ago. For schools that accept update letters, would you recommend that I send one about this job switch and maybe contrast the differences that i've seen? I figured it might help with the schools that I applied to in metropolitan areas who have similar populations and health care systems?
Click to expand...
Has it been 100 days in your new position?
 
Hi I also wanted to join on this thread! I’m seeing a lot of mixed information online and I am worried that I may have took my post interview update letter in the wrong direction. I briefly expressed appreciation for the interview, and in the interest of keeping it short and sweet, mostly listed off some new manuscripts and conference presentations, then ended on my interest in the school. Is that too “dry”?

It looks like there is an option for me to edit the upload still, should I make changes?
 
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lemurbaby said:
Hi I also wanted to join on this thread! I’m seeing a lot of mixed information online and I am worried that I may have took my post interview update letter in the wrong direction. I briefly expressed appreciation for the interview, and in the interest of keeping it short and sweet, mostly listed off some new manuscripts and conference presentations, then ended on my interest in the school. Is that too “dry”?

It looks like there is an option for me to edit the upload still, should I make changes?
Click to expand...
No way for us to know with certainty. Every school handles information differently.
 
Mr.Smile12 said:
No way for us to know with certainty. Every school handles information differently.
Click to expand...
Is it worrisome that I didn’t explain how my new pubs/presentations are advancing my skills? I
Sorry if these are silly questions, this is a school I care deeply about and don’t want to mess up my chances and upload a new letter if needed. Thank you for your help!
 
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lemurbaby said:
Is it worrisome that I didn’t explain how my new pubs/presentations are advancing my skills? I
Sorry if these are silly questions, this is a school I care deeply about and don’t want to mess up my chances and upload a new letter if needed. Thank you for your help!
Click to expand...
You haven't name-dropped to know if the school welcomes updates or doesn't. In the end, you do you.

Also, YOU care about what you did, but schools have other things they have to think about. Remove the concept that they "care." There's a reason why there are student handbooks. People care, schools and committees don't.
 
Also hoping on the thread! I recently presented research at the annual meeting of the Medical Society of Virginia. It was a project I did under the purview of the physician I scribe for, but all the work was entirely my own and culminated in a poster presentation. I was also the first pre-med to present at the conference.

I was already planning on sending an update email, as I have three Rs so far and not a single interview, and I am starting to get nervous as we approach the end of the year. Should this be a simple "hey, i did this thing!" or go more into detail on my research? I didn't write any update letters last year and want to make sure I do a good job.
 
AlliesStardust said:
Also hoping on the thread! I recently presented research at the annual meeting of the Medical Society of Virginia. It was a project I did under the purview of the physician I scribe for, but all the work was entirely my own and culminated in a poster presentation. I was also the first pre-med to present at the conference.

I was already planning on sending an update email, as I have three Rs so far and not a single interview, and I am starting to get nervous as we approach the end of the year. Should this be a simple "hey, i did this thing!" or go more into detail on my research? I didn't write any update letters last year and want to make sure I do a good job.
Click to expand...
Keep it concise. The odds are quite slim that any reader is truly interested in the details of your work.
 
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