Learn how to write an update letter for medical school, what accomplishments to include, when to send it, and how to use our template and real example.
How to Write an Update Letter for Medical School
A medical school update letter is a professional letter that tells an admissions committee about meaningful accomplishments, responsibilities, or experiences that occurred after you submitted your primary or secondary application. A strong update letter can show that you have continued building on the activities listed in your AMCAS application, followed through on experiences you described as planned, and reached new milestones that the admissions committee did not know about when it first reviewed your file.
Learning how to write an update letter for medical school is not only about making a list of everything you have done since applying. The goal is to identify the developments that meaningfully strengthen your candidacy, explain them clearly, and help the admissions committee understand how you have continued growing during the application cycle.
When I applied to medical school, I sent update letters to every school where I had interviewed and to the other schools I had applied to that I remained seriously interested in attending. I viewed them as a helpful way to show that I had continued the clinical, research, service, and leadership activities listed in my AMCAS application rather than letting those experiences end as soon as I clicked submit.
They also allowed me to confirm that I had followed through on activities I had listed as planned or anticipated. When you tell an admissions committee that you expect to begin a new role, present research at a conference, or continue accumulating clinical experience, an update letter gives you an opportunity to return later and show that those plans actually happened.
My update letters also gave me a place to report what I think of as potential X factors, including grant funding, publications, significant research presentations, and national awards. Accomplishments like these may help distinguish you from other academically qualified applicants because they provide new evidence of achievement that was not available when your original application was submitted.
My hope was that the letter could strengthen my chances of acceptance after an interview or, before an interview, give a school another reason to take a closer look at my application and potentially send an invitation. There was never any guarantee that an update would lead to either outcome, but it was one of the few meaningful ways I could continue advocating for myself after most of the application was already outside of my control.
I sent my main update letters in November of my application cycle, which was relatively early. By that point, I had accumulated enough new information to feel that the letter was worthwhile and might help move the needle. If several additional update-worthy accomplishments had occurred later, I planned to send another letter in January or February, particularly if I still needed an acceptance or hoped to receive more interviews.
In this guide, I will walk you through how to write an update letter for medical school, what counts as a meaningful update, when you should send one, how long it should be, and how to submit it. I have also included a reusable template, a polished version of the update letter I used during my own application cycle, an email example, common mistakes, and answers to frequently asked questions.
What Is a Medical School Update Letter?
A medical school update letter is a document that provides an admissions committee with important new information that was not available when you submitted your original application.
The central purpose is to show how your candidacy has continued developing. You may have completed an experience that was only planned when you submitted AMCAS, accumulated hundreds of additional clinical hours, earned a leadership position, published research, presented at a conference, received an award, improved your academic record, or taken on substantially more responsibility in an existing activity.
An update letter can be sent before an interview, after an interview, or while you are on a medical school waitlist, provided that the school accepts additional materials at that stage.
Not every medical school follows the same update policy. Vanderbilt, for example, says that applicants may submit significant and relevant updates through its application portal, while Stanford generally accepts one update only from applicants invited to interview. The University of California, Riverside also limits the number of updates and requires applicants to submit them through the portal rather than by email. These differences are why you should always check the policy for each school instead of assuming that one submission method applies everywhere.
An update letter is also different from simply changing information within AMCAS. The AAMC allows applicants to make only certain postsubmission changes through the AMCAS application itself, so most new accomplishments must be communicated directly to individual schools according to their policies.
What Is the Purpose of an Update Letter for Medical School?
The purpose of an update letter is to give the medical school new information that could strengthen or clarify your application.
You are not sending the letter merely to remind the admissions committee that you are waiting. You are showing that you continued developing after submitting your application and that the version of you being evaluated today is even stronger than the version represented in your original materials.
A good update letter may accomplish several things at once. It can document your continued involvement in clinical care, service, research, employment, or leadership; confirm that you completed activities you originally listed as anticipated; highlight new accomplishments; and reaffirm that you remain interested in the school.
Before an interview, your hope may be that a meaningful update encourages the admissions committee to reconsider your application or provides another reason to invite you. After an interview, your goal may be to strengthen your candidacy before a final decision. On a waitlist, the letter may show that you have continued growing and remain excited about the possibility of attending.
However, I would not view an update letter as a guaranteed strategy for earning an interview or acceptance. A letter cannot erase a major weakness elsewhere in an application, and admissions committees still evaluate applicants based on the entire file, interview performance, institutional priorities, and the needs of the incoming class.
The letter is best understood as an additional piece of evidence. When the update is meaningful and the school is willing to consider it, you are giving the committee more current information with which to evaluate you.
How to Write an Update Letter for Medical School
To write a strong medical school update letter, begin by explaining why you are contacting the admissions committee and then present your most meaningful new developments in a clear, organized manner. For each update, describe what happened, when it happened, what your role involved, and why the experience matters.
You should also connect your updates to the larger themes of your application when possible. If your application emphasized community service, explain how a new leadership role expanded that commitment. If research was central to your candidacy, provide the citation for a new publication and briefly clarify your contribution. If you listed a planned clinical role, show that you followed through and explain what you have learned from the additional patient-care experience.
Your closing can reaffirm your interest in the medical school and, when appropriate, connect your new accomplishments to specific parts of the program.
Most update letters should remain close to one page, although a highly substantive letter containing several major accomplishments may run slightly longer. The admissions committee should be able to scan the letter and quickly identify what has changed since your original application.
Step 1: Check Whether the Medical School Accepts Updates
Before writing the letter, confirm that the medical school accepts application updates and determine how it wants them submitted.
Some schools allow updates from all applicants, while others accept them only after an interview. A school may limit you to one update, permit several documents, require portal submission, or state that unsolicited updates will not be reviewed.
For example, Drexel allows specific update materials through its application system, Wayne State permits applicants to upload several updates through its portal, and Long School of Medicine provides instructions for naming and emailing update documents. These policies illustrate how much the process can vary from one program to another.
The AAMC also advises that some schools accept updates, letters of interest, or letters of intent while others do not, particularly during the waitlist period.
Start by checking the school’s admissions website, applicant portal, secondary-completion email, and interview materials. Look for sections labeled “application updates,” “additional materials,” “document uploads,” or “post-interview communication.”
When the policy remains unclear, send the admissions office a short email asking whether updates are accepted and how they should be submitted. That is better than sending a carefully written letter to a school that will not place it in your application file.
Step 2: Address the Admissions Committee Professionally
Whenever possible, address the update letter to the dean or director of admissions and the members of the admissions committee.
For example:
Dear Dr. Williams and Members of the Admissions Committee,
When you cannot identify a specific person, you can write:
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
You should also include your full name and AMCAS, AACOMAS, or TMDSAS identification number. Admissions offices manage thousands of applications, and including your identification number makes it easier for the staff to match the letter with the correct file.
You can place this information at the top of the document, beneath your signature, or both. I would also include it in the email subject line and email body when you are submitting the letter by email.
Step 3: Explain Why You Are Writing
Your opening paragraph should briefly thank the admissions committee for continuing to consider your application and state that you are writing to provide meaningful updates.
You do not need to begin with a long explanation or an emotional statement about how difficult the waiting process has been. The admissions committee should understand the reason for the letter within the first few sentences.
For example:
Thank you for continuing to consider my application to Example University School of Medicine. My name is John Doe, and my AMCAS identification number is 12345678. I am writing to provide several meaningful updates regarding my clinical, research, leadership, and service activities since submitting my application.
When you have already interviewed, you can personalize the opening:
Thank you again for the opportunity to interview at Example University School of Medicine. My conversations with the faculty members and students strengthened my interest in the program, and I am writing to provide several meaningful updates that have occurred since my interview.
The introduction does not need to summarize every update. Its purpose is simply to establish the context and prepare the reader for the information that follows.
Step 4: Prioritize Your Most Meaningful Updates
The strength of your letter will depend much more on the quality of the updates than on the number you include.
You do not need to report every additional hour, routine shift, club meeting, or small responsibility. Instead, prioritize developments that add meaningful evidence of achievement, growth, commitment, leadership, or follow-through.
Strong updates may include:
- A peer-reviewed publication or accepted manuscript
- A research grant or other competitive funding
- A national, regional, institutional, or professional award
- A poster or oral presentation at a conference
- A new leadership position
- A promotion or major increase in responsibility
- A substantial increase in clinical, service, research, or employment hours
- Strong grades from a recent academic term
- Completion of a graduate degree, certificate, or important course
- A new clinical role with meaningful patient interaction
- Launching or expanding a service initiative
- Completion of an activity that was listed as planned on AMCAS
- A major athletic, artistic, military, entrepreneurial, or community accomplishment
My own letter included several different types of updates because they had all occurred by November. I reported 351 additional hours of hands-on patient care, a published manuscript, a funded grant proposal, a new service leadership position, a national award, completed research presentations, and acceptances to present at future conferences.
That was enough new information for me to feel that the letter was worth sending rather than serving as a minor check-in.
Step 5: Explain Continued Activities With Specific Numbers
One valuable use of an update letter is documenting substantial progress in an activity that was already included on your AMCAS application.
For example, my original update letter stated that I had continued working as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant at an urgent care center from May through August, resulting in an additional 351 hours of hands-on patient care.
Including the date range and number of hours made the update more concrete. Rather than simply saying that I had continued working clinically, I showed the committee exactly how much additional experience I had gained.
You can use a similar format for service, research, employment, teaching, shadowing, or leadership activities:
Since submitting my application, I have continued volunteering at the Community Free Clinic and completed an additional 125 hours of service between June and October. During this time, I began training new volunteers and assisting with patient follow-up calls.
The number of hours should not be the only focus. Whenever possible, explain how the role changed or what you learned. An additional 200 hours can be meaningful on its own, but 200 hours accompanied by increased responsibility, deeper patient interaction, or leadership growth will usually tell the committee more about your development.
Step 6: Show That You Completed Planned AMCAS Activities
The AMCAS application allows applicants to list anticipated hours and future involvement, which means some of the experiences in your application may not have happened yet when you submit.
An update letter is a natural place to show that you followed through on those plans.
Perhaps you listed a future research conference, a clinical position beginning later in the summer, a service project scheduled for the fall, or a leadership role you expected to assume. Once those experiences occur, you can update the admissions committee with the dates, responsibilities, hours, and outcomes.
I thought this was an important part of my own update strategy. I wanted schools to see that the future experiences described in my application had not been included merely because I hoped they might happen. I had actually completed them and could now provide evidence of what I had done.
This also helps create continuity between your original application and the update letter. The letter should feel like the next chapter of the same story rather than a random collection of accomplishments.
Step 7: Report Publications Accurately
A publication can be one of the strongest updates you provide, especially when research was a major part of your application.
When reporting a publication, clearly state its status. A manuscript that has been submitted, one that is under review, one that has been accepted, and one that has been formally published are not the same.
Use precise wording such as:
- Submitted for publication
- Under peer review
- Accepted for publication
- Published online ahead of print
- Published in the journal
When the article has been published or accepted, include the complete citation in a consistent format. You can usually copy the citation from PubMed, Google Scholar, or the journal website and then review it for accuracy.
For example:
I coauthored a manuscript with Dr. XYZ that has now been published. My responsibilities included data collection, statistical analysis, and manuscript preparation. The complete citation is included below:
Doe J, Smith A, Williams B. Title of the manuscript. Journal of Example Medicine. 2026;10(2):100-110.
You do not need to provide a lengthy description of the entire study, particularly if the research was already discussed in AMCAS. However, briefly clarifying your contribution can help the committee understand what the accomplishment represents.
Step 8: Include Grants, Awards, and Other X Factors
Competitive grants and major awards can be especially worthwhile updates because they provide external validation of your work.
In my own letter, I reported that I had written a grant proposal and received funding for my research. I also reported receiving a national award for my research and leadership experiences.
These were the types of developments I hoped could separate my application further from other qualified applicants. Many applicants have strong clinical experience, service, and research, but fewer may have secured competitive funding or received national recognition for their work.
When reporting an award or grant, include the name of the organization, the name of the award or proposal, the date, and a short explanation of why it was given.
For example:
In November, I received a $2,500 research grant from the XYZ Honor Society to support my work under Dr. Smith. I wrote the proposal independently and will use the funding to support data collection for our project examining [brief topic].
For an award:
I was selected to receive the XYZ National Award in recognition of my research accomplishments, campus leadership, and service involvement.
You do not need to exaggerate the competitiveness of the award or call every recognition prestigious. Give the committee enough information to understand the accomplishment and allow the achievement to speak for itself.
Step 9: Describe New Leadership Responsibilities
A new title can be a meaningful update, but the title alone is not enough. Explain what you are responsible for doing.
In my letter, I reported being elected Chair of Service for a prehealth professional honor society. I explained that the role involved connecting with local charities, organizing one or two service events each month for 21 members, and leading and mentoring two underclassmen on the service committee.
Those details showed the scope of the role much more clearly than simply writing that I had become Chair of Service.
When describing leadership, try to answer a few practical questions within one concise paragraph: Who do you lead? What do you organize? How often do you perform the work? What changed because you took on the role?
For example:
In August, I was elected Chair of Service for the XYZ Pre-Health Honor Society. In this position, I coordinate partnerships with local nonprofit organizations and organize one or two service events each month for our 21 members. I also lead a two-person service committee and mentor the underclassmen who will eventually assume larger roles within the organization.
This type of description gives the admissions committee a much clearer understanding of the responsibility involved.
Step 10: Include Completed and Upcoming Research Presentations
Research presentations can also be worthwhile updates, particularly when you have presented at a national or regional conference.
For completed presentations, include the conference name, date, title of the project, presentation type, and authors.
For example:
On August 15, 2026, I presented a poster based on my research under Dr. XYZ at the National Example Research Conference.
Poster title: XYZ Research Project
Authors: John Doe, Jane Smith, Robert Williams
You can also report an accepted future presentation, provided that the conference has formally accepted your abstract. Make it clear that the presentation is scheduled for the future rather than writing as though it has already occurred.
For example:
I have also been accepted to present this work at the 2027 National Example Conference, which will take place March 23-26, 2027.
This distinction matters because the admissions committee should always be able to tell which accomplishments have been completed and which have been confirmed but will occur later.
Step 11: Connect the Update to the Medical School
An update letter should primarily present new information, but it can also reaffirm your interest and briefly explain why the school remains a strong fit.
You do not need to repeat the full argument from your secondary essays or turn the letter into a second “Why Us?” essay. One personalized paragraph near the end is usually enough.
After an interview, you can mention something you learned from the faculty members, students, or administrators. Before an interview, you can connect one of your updates to a specific curriculum, research program, service initiative, or patient population at the school.
For example:
My continued work in community-based clinical care has further strengthened my interest in Example University’s longitudinal service curriculum and its partnerships with local free clinics. I would be excited to bring my experience in patient education and volunteer training to that community.
When you want to provide a deeper explanation of your interest without making an exclusive commitment, you can combine the update with a letter of interest. My guide on how to write a strong letter of interest for medical school explains how to do that.
When the program is your unquestioned first choice and you will attend if accepted, you may instead combine the update with a letter of intent for medical school.
Step 12: End With Continued Interest and Appreciation
Your final paragraph should thank the admissions committee and reaffirm your interest in the program.
Before an interview, you might write:
Thank you for your time and continued consideration of my application. I remain extremely interested in Example University School of Medicine and would be grateful for the opportunity to interview and discuss how my experiences align with the program’s mission.
After an interview, you could write:
It was an honor to interview with the faculty members, administrators, and students at Example University School of Medicine. My interview experience strengthened my interest in the program, and I would be excited to spend the next four years receiving my medical education within this community.
Keep the closing sincere without making claims you do not mean. Do not call the school your first choice unless it truly is your first choice, and do not promise to attend unless you are intentionally sending a letter of intent.
What Should You Include in a Medical School Update Letter?
Your update letter should include only developments that add meaningful information to your application.
The strongest letters often contain a combination of continued involvement and new achievement. Continued involvement shows that you remained committed to the clinical, service, research, or employment activities you described in AMCAS, while new achievements show that you reached milestones that were not yet available when you applied.
For each update, include the event or accomplishment, the date, your role, and the significance of the development. When the update involves a publication, presentation, award, or grant, provide the formal title and enough identifying information for the committee to understand it.
You can also include a brief statement of continued interest, particularly when the update is being sent after an interview or while you remain on the waitlist.
What Counts as a Meaningful Medical School Update?
A meaningful medical school update is one that materially expands, strengthens, or clarifies your application.
A new publication, major award, grant, presentation, leadership position, promotion, or strong semester of grades would generally qualify. A substantial increase in clinical or service hours can also be meaningful, especially when it includes new responsibilities or demonstrates that you completed an activity you previously described as planned.
An update does not need to be national in scope to matter. Taking responsibility for training new medical assistants, creating a new community outreach program, earning a promotion at work, or becoming the primary coordinator for a clinic initiative may all show meaningful growth.
The key question is whether the admissions committee would learn something important about your candidacy that it did not already know.
Updates That Usually Are Not Worth Sending Alone
Not every development needs to be sent to medical schools.
Completing one additional volunteer shift, shadowing for a few more hours, attending a routine club meeting, or continuing an activity for a very short period may not justify a separate letter.
These developments can sometimes be included as part of a larger update, but they are unlikely to carry enough weight on their own.
I would also avoid sending a letter simply to restate your interest without any personalization or new information. When your primary purpose is communicating enthusiasm rather than reporting accomplishments, a letter of interest may be the more appropriate format.
Medical School Update Letter Format
A medical school update letter should use a clean, professional format that allows the admissions committee to identify your new accomplishments quickly.
At the top of the document, include your full name, email address, phone number, application identification number, and date. Beneath that, list the recipient and medical school.
Begin with a professional greeting and a short introductory paragraph explaining that you are providing application updates. Use separate paragraphs for each major category of update, such as clinical experience, research, leadership, awards, and presentations.
When you have several accomplishments, descriptive headings or limited bullet points can make the letter easier to scan. However, the letter should still read like a professional communication rather than a copied résumé.
End by reaffirming your interest and thanking the admissions committee. Include your full name and application ID beneath your signature.
Medical School Update Letter Template
Dear Dr. [Last Name] and Members of the Admissions Committee,
Thank you for continuing to consider my application to [Medical School Name]. My name is [Full Name], and my [AMCAS/AACOMAS/TMDSAS] identification number is [ID Number]. I am writing to provide several meaningful updates regarding my [clinical/research/service/leadership/academic] experiences since submitting my application.
Since [month or application submission], I have continued working as a [position] at [organization] and completed an additional [number] hours between [date] and [date]. During this time, I have [describe any new responsibilities, accomplishments, or lessons].
I have also [published/coauthored/submitted] a manuscript with [mentor or research group]. My contributions included [briefly describe your role]. The complete citation is included below:
[Insert publication citation]
In [month], I [received a grant/earned an award/was elected to a leadership position]. [Explain the name of the recognition or role, the organization, and what the accomplishment or responsibility involves.]
I also [presented/was accepted to present] my research at [conference name] on [date or future date].
Presentation title: [Title]
Authors: [Authors]
These experiences have continued to strengthen my interest in [relevant area of medicine, research, service, or leadership]. I remain especially interested in [Medical School Name] because of [specific curriculum, program, mission, patient population, or interview experience].
Thank you for your time and continued consideration of my application. I would be honored to [interview at/join the incoming class at] [Medical School Name].
Respectfully,
[Full Name]
[AMCAS/AACOMAS/TMDSAS ID]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
Medical School Update Letter Example Based on the Letter I Used
The following is a polished and anonymized version of the update letter I used during my medical school application cycle. I have kept the same types of accomplishments and overall organization while replacing identifying information with placeholders.
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee at the University of X School of Medicine,
Thank you for continuing to consider my application to the University of X School of Medicine M.D. program. My name is John Doe, and my AMCAS identification number is 12345678. I am writing to provide several meaningful updates regarding my recent clinical, research, leadership, and service activities.
I continued working as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant at XYZ Urgent Care from May X through August X, resulting in an additional 351 hours of hands-on patient care. During this time, I continued developing my clinical skills while communicating directly with patients and supporting the medical team throughout their visits.
I also coauthored a manuscript with Dr. XYZ that has now been published. The complete citation is included below:
[Insert citation from PubMed or Google Scholar]
In addition, I wrote a grant proposal to the XYZ Honor Society and was awarded funding in November to support my research under Dr. XYZ.
Proposal title: XYZ Research Project
In August, I was elected Chair of Service for XYZ Organization, a prehealth professional honor society. In this position, I am responsible for building relationships with local charitable organizations and coordinating one or two service events each month for our 21 members. I also lead and mentor two underclassmen who serve with me on the organization’s service committee.
I was also selected to receive the XYZ National Award in recognition of my research and leadership experiences.
I have continued presenting my research at national and regional conferences. On August X, I presented a poster based on my work under Dr. XYZ at the National XYZ Conference.
Poster title: XYZ Research Project
Authors: [Insert authors]
On October X, I presented an additional poster based on my work under Dr. XYZ at the XYZ Conference.
Poster title: XYZ Research Project
Authors: [Insert authors]
I have also received acceptance to present my research at the 20XX XYZ Conference, which will take place from March 23 through March 26.
Poster title: XYZ Research Project
Authors: [Insert authors]
It was an honor to interview with the faculty members, administrators, and students at the University of X School of Medicine. My interview experience strengthened my interest in the program, and I would be excited to spend the next four years receiving my medical education at one of its campuses. The University of X School of Medicine remains my top choice because its professional, clinical, and extracurricular opportunities fit my goals particularly well.
Thank you again for the opportunity to interview and for your continued consideration of my application. I hope to have the opportunity to join the incoming class next fall.
Respectfully,
John Doe
AMCAS ID: 12345678
johndoe@email.com
555-555-5555
Why This Medical School Update Letter Worked Well
One of the strongest parts of this example is that it contains concrete accomplishments rather than vague statements about continued involvement.
Instead of saying that I continued gaining clinical experience, I provided an exact date range and 351 additional hours of hands-on patient care. Instead of saying that my research was going well, I reported a published manuscript, a funded grant proposal, completed conference presentations, and accepted future presentations.
The leadership update also explained what I was actually doing. I included the number of members served, the frequency of the service events, and my responsibility for mentoring two underclassmen.
The letter also showed follow-through. Activities that had been listed as ongoing or anticipated in my application had continued, and I could now give the admissions committee tangible outcomes.
Finally, the closing connected the update back to the school. Because I had already interviewed, I was able to explain that meeting the faculty members, administrators, and students had reinforced my interest.
Should You Use Paragraphs or Bullet Points?
Either approach can work, although I generally prefer a paragraph-based letter with enough formatting to make the accomplishments easy to find.
A traditional paragraph format feels more personal and gives you room to explain what each experience means. Limited bullets can be useful when you have several publication citations, presentations, or awards that would otherwise become difficult to scan.
The most important thing is that the document does not become a résumé pasted into a letter. You should still provide context, connect the updates to your growth, and explain why the information matters.
My own example used paragraphs for the major updates and separate lines for publication and presentation details. This kept the letter readable without making every sentence feel disconnected.
How Long Should a Medical School Update Letter Be?
Most medical school update letters should remain around one page, although a highly substantive letter may extend slightly beyond that.
You do not need to squeeze the document into one page by using tiny font, narrow margins, or crowded spacing. At the same time, a two- or three-page letter may suggest that you are including developments that do not need to be there.
My own letter contained several major accomplishments, including clinical hours, research, leadership, an award, grant funding, and presentations, so it was relatively detailed. Even then, each section had a clear purpose and provided information the committee did not previously have.
Focus on substance rather than reaching a particular length. A half-page letter containing one major publication may be more valuable than a full page of minor updates.
When Should You Send an Update Letter to Medical Schools?
The best time to send an update letter is when you have enough meaningful information to justify the communication while the school still has time to consider it.
I sent my main update letters in November of my application cycle. This was relatively early, but by then I had accumulated enough significant information to feel that the letter could be helpful.
I did not want to wait until January or February if the updates could potentially influence an interview or post-interview decision in November. At the same time, I did not send the letter immediately after submitting my secondary because I would not have had enough new information to make it worthwhile.
My plan was to send another update in January or February if additional significant accomplishments occurred, particularly if I still needed an acceptance or hoped to receive more interviews.
This is the balance I would encourage you to consider. Waiting can allow you to combine several developments into a stronger letter, but waiting too long may mean that the school has already completed most interviews or made a decision on your application.
Duke’s prehealth advising guidance similarly notes that updates may be sent before interviews when they expand or enhance an application, while emphasizing that applicants must follow each school’s limits and submission windows.
Should You Send an Update Letter Before an Interview?
You can send an update letter before an interview when the school accepts updates and you have meaningful new information.
At this stage, the goal is to strengthen the application while it is still under consideration and potentially provide the committee with another reason to offer an interview.
A publication, award, major leadership role, grant, strong semester of grades, or substantial expansion of clinical experience may be especially relevant.
You can close the letter by stating that you remain highly interested in the school and would appreciate the opportunity to interview. However, avoid sounding as though the update means the program should now be obligated to invite you.
A professional closing might say:
These experiences have continued to strengthen my preparation for medical school and my interest in Example University’s community-focused curriculum. Thank you for your continued consideration. I would be grateful for the opportunity to interview and further discuss how my experiences align with the program’s mission.
Should You Send an Update Letter After an Interview?
After an interview is another appropriate time to send an update letter, particularly when something meaningful has changed since the interview or when you already have several updates ready to share.
A post-interview update can also include a short reflection on the interview experience. You might mention a conversation with a student, a program described by a faculty member, or another part of the day that strengthened your interest.
Stanford’s prehealth advising office describes a post-interview update as a letter that may combine appreciation for the interview, relevant new accomplishments, and continued interest in the program.
I sent update letters to every school where I interviewed because I wanted the programs to know that I had continued growing and remained interested after the interview was over.
My hope was that the new accomplishments could strengthen my chances while the committee was making its final decision. I cannot know exactly how much the letters influenced any acceptance, but they allowed me to provide current and meaningful evidence that was not included in my original file.
Should You Send an Update Letter While Waitlisted?
An update letter can be useful while you are on a medical school waitlist, especially when you have a substantial accomplishment that occurred after your interview.
At this point, the admissions committee has already determined that you are qualified enough to remain under consideration. Your letter can show that you have continued strengthening your candidacy while reaffirming that you remain interested.
You can combine the update with a letter of interest when you would still be excited to attend but are not making an exclusive commitment. When the school is your clear first choice and you will attend if accepted, you may combine the update with a letter of intent.
Before sending anything, check the waitlist instructions carefully. Some programs accept ongoing updates, while others prohibit additional correspondence or limit applicants to one submission. The AAMC specifically notes that policies regarding updates and letters vary among medical schools.
Can You Send More Than One Update Letter?
You may be able to send more than one update letter when the medical school allows it and you have genuinely significant new information.
I planned to send one main update in November and potentially another in January or February if enough additional accomplishments occurred. The second letter would not have repeated the original updates. It would have included only developments that happened after the November letter.
Some schools place strict limits on the number of updates they will accept. Others may allow several portal uploads or permit another update after an interview. Always follow the program’s policy.
Even when multiple updates are permitted, avoid sending frequent letters containing only minor changes. One strong update is more useful than several messages that give the committee very little new information.
Should You Send the Same Update Letter to Every Medical School?
The main accomplishments in your letter may remain the same because your publication, award, new role, and clinical hours do not change from one school to another.
However, you should personalize the greeting, school name, closing paragraph, and any discussion of fit.
The final paragraph should explain why you remain interested in that specific program. You might mention a curriculum, clinic, research opportunity, patient population, location, or something you learned during the interview.
Be extremely careful when adapting one letter for several schools. Sending a letter that contains the wrong school name is an avoidable mistake that can undermine an otherwise strong update.
I recommend creating a master update letter and then saving a separate copy for each school. Review every version carefully before uploading it.
How Should You Submit a Medical School Update Letter?
Follow the school’s instructions exactly.
Many schools ask applicants to upload a PDF through the secondary application portal. Others accept the letter through an admissions email address, while some do not accept updates at all.
When submitting by email, attach the update as a PDF unless the school requests another format. A clear file name might be:
Doe_John_AMCAS12345678_Update_Letter.pdf
The University of California, Riverside specifically limits update letters to one page and requires portal submission, while Long School of Medicine gives applicants a prescribed PDF naming format. These examples show why checking each school’s procedure matters.
Include your full name and application ID in the email body even when they already appear in the attachment.
Medical School Update Letter Email Example
Subject: Application Update – John Doe – AMCAS ID 12345678
Dear Office of Admissions,
I hope you are doing well. My name is John Doe, and my AMCAS identification number is 12345678.
Attached is an update letter describing several meaningful developments in my clinical, research, leadership, and service experiences since submitting my application. I would appreciate it if the letter could be added to my application file for review by the admissions committee.
Thank you for your time and continued consideration of my application.
Respectfully,
John Doe
AMCAS ID: 12345678
johndoe@email.com
555-555-5555
The email itself does not need to repeat every accomplishment. Keep it friendly and concise, and allow the attached letter to contain the full update.
Update Letter vs. Letter of Interest
An update letter and a letter of interest can overlap, but they have different primary purposes.
An update letter tells the medical school:
Here is meaningful new information that was not included in my original application.
A letter of interest tells the school:
I remain highly interested in your program and would seriously consider attending if accepted.
You can combine the two by presenting your new accomplishments and then explaining why they have strengthened your interest in the program.
When your primary goal is expressing enthusiasm and explaining fit, read my complete guide on how to write a strong letter of interest for medical school.
Update Letter vs. Letter of Intent
An update letter reports new accomplishments, while a letter of intent promises one medical school that you will attend if accepted.
You can combine them when the school is truly your first choice. In that situation, provide the update and clearly state that you will matriculate if offered admission.
Do not use the words “first choice” merely to make your update sound stronger. A letter of intent represents an exclusive commitment and should be sent to only one school.
My guide on how to write a letter of intent for medical school includes a complete explanation, template, and example.
Update Letter vs. General Medical School Admissions Email
A general admissions email is best for administrative questions, policy clarification, portal problems, interview scheduling, or other practical concerns.
An update letter is a formal document intended for the admissions committee and should contain meaningful new information about your candidacy.
My complete pillar guide on how to communicate with medical school admissions departments explains the differences among update letters, letters of interest, letters of intent, thank-you emails, waitlist communications, scholarship reconsideration requests, and general admissions emails.
Common Medical School Update Letter Mistakes
Sending an Update Against the School’s Policy
The first mistake is submitting a letter without checking whether the medical school accepts it.
A strong update will not help when the school refuses unsolicited materials, and ignoring explicit instructions may reflect poorly on your professionalism.
Sending Updates That Are Too Minor
You do not need to notify the admissions committee every time you add a few hours to an activity or attend another routine meeting.
Wait until the information adds something meaningful to your application. A publication, award, grant, major leadership role, substantial increase in hours, or completion of an anticipated activity may justify a letter.
Listing Accomplishments Without Context
Do not simply state that you received an award or became a club officer. Explain what the recognition represents or what responsibilities the new role includes.
The committee should understand why the development matters.
Exaggerating Publication Status
A submitted manuscript is not the same as an accepted or published manuscript.
Use precise language and provide the formal citation only when appropriate. Accuracy matters more than making the accomplishment sound as advanced as possible.
Treating an Accepted Presentation as Completed
When your abstract has been accepted for a future conference, state that you have been accepted to present and include the scheduled date.
Do not write that you presented the research until the presentation has actually occurred.
Repeating Your Entire AMCAS Application
The update should focus on what has changed. You can provide enough context to connect the new information to your previous activities, but you do not need to describe your entire application again.
Making the Letter Too Long
A lengthy letter can make your strongest accomplishments harder to identify.
Prioritize the updates that add the most value and keep the document close to one page when possible.
Sending the Same Closing to Every School
Your accomplishments may remain the same across letters, but the statement of interest should be personalized.
Explain why you remain interested in that specific medical school rather than using a generic compliment about excellent research and clinical training.
Using the Wrong School Name
This is one of the easiest mistakes to make when sending a similar update to several programs.
Create separate files, review the greeting and conclusion carefully, and check the document again immediately before submitting it.
Sounding as Though the School Owes You an Interview
Your accomplishments may meaningfully strengthen your candidacy, but the admissions committee is still responsible for deciding whether to offer an interview or acceptance.
Remain confident and enthusiastic without implying that the update entitles you to a particular outcome.
Sending Too Many Letters
Repeated letters containing small developments are unlikely to help.
Send another update only when you have significant information that was not included in the previous one and the school permits additional submissions.
My Experience Sending Medical School Update Letters
I sent update letters to every medical school where I interviewed and to the other schools I had applied to that I remained interested in attending.
One reason I felt strongly about sending them was that my activities had not stopped after I submitted AMCAS. I was continuing my clinical work, research, service, and leadership, and I wanted the admissions committees to see that growth.
The letter also gave me a way to show that I had fulfilled activities I originally described as planned or anticipated. When an applicant lists a future experience in AMCAS, the committee has no way of knowing whether it ultimately happened unless the applicant provides an update.
I also had several accomplishments that I believed could help distinguish my application, including a publication, grant funding, research presentations, a national award, and a new service leadership role. These were not small additions to my hours. They represented meaningful outcomes that had occurred since I submitted my original application.
I sent the letters in November, which was relatively early in the cycle. By that time, I had enough information to create a substantive letter, and I wanted the schools to receive it while they were still offering interviews and making post-interview decisions.
My hope was that the update could strengthen my chances of acceptance at schools where I had already interviewed or encourage another school to send an interview invitation shortly afterward.
I did not assume that an update letter would guarantee either outcome. Admissions decisions involve far more than one additional document, and applicants rarely know exactly which part of their application influenced a committee’s decision.
Still, sending the letters felt like a reasonable way to advocate for myself using real accomplishments rather than sending an empty message simply asking for reconsideration.
My plan was to send another update in January or February if more significant developments occurred, especially if I still needed an acceptance or hoped to receive additional interviews. I would not have repeated the November letter. The later letter would have included only new accomplishments, completed presentations, additional leadership outcomes, or other meaningful developments.
Looking back, I still think this was a good approach. I sent the first update once I had enough substance to make it worthwhile, but I also sent it early enough that it had a chance to be considered during an active part of the application cycle.
Medical School Update Letter Checklist
Before sending your update letter, confirm that the school accepts updates and determine whether it requires email or portal submission.
Make sure the letter includes your full name, application ID, a professional greeting, and a clear explanation of why you are writing. Focus on accomplishments that occurred after your application was submitted and include dates, hours, formal titles, citations, or other details when they help the committee understand the update.
Be accurate about whether publications and presentations are submitted, accepted, completed, or formally published. Explain the responsibilities associated with new leadership roles rather than listing titles alone.
Connect your updates to the themes of your application and briefly reaffirm your interest in the medical school. Keep the document close to one page when possible, personalize the school name and closing, and save the letter as a clearly labeled PDF.
Finally, keep track of which schools received the letter, the date you submitted it, and whether the program limits future updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Medical School Update Letter?
A medical school update letter is a professional document that provides an admissions committee with meaningful new information that was not included in your original application. Examples include publications, awards, grants, presentations, leadership positions, academic achievements, and substantial continued clinical or service experience.
When Should I Send an Update Letter to Medical School?
Send an update when you have enough meaningful new information to justify contacting the school and while the program still has time to consider it. You can send one before an interview, after an interview, or while waitlisted when the school’s policy allows it.
Is November a Good Time to Send a Medical School Update Letter?
November can be a good time when you have accumulated substantive updates and the schools are still actively reviewing applicants. I sent my own update letters in November because I had enough meaningful information by then and wanted the letters to arrive while interview and admissions decisions were still being made.
Can I Send an Update Letter Before Receiving an Interview?
Yes, provided that the school accepts pre-interview updates. A significant new accomplishment may strengthen your application or encourage the committee to take another look at your candidacy, although it cannot guarantee an interview.
Should I Send an Update Letter After an Interview?
You can send a post-interview update when meaningful developments have occurred. You may also briefly mention how the interview strengthened your interest in the school.
Can I Send an Update Letter While Waitlisted?
Yes, when the medical school accepts waitlist updates. The letter can report new accomplishments and reaffirm your continued interest in attending.
How Long Should a Medical School Update Letter Be?
Most update letters should remain around one page. A letter containing several substantial accomplishments may extend slightly beyond one page, but you should still keep the information focused and easy to review.
What Counts as a Significant Medical School Update?
Publications, accepted manuscripts, research grants, awards, conference presentations, new leadership positions, promotions, strong semester grades, major service accomplishments, and substantial increases in clinical experience may all qualify.
Are Additional Clinical Hours Worth an Update Letter?
Additional clinical hours can be worthwhile when the increase is substantial, demonstrates long-term commitment, fulfills anticipated hours listed on your application, or includes new responsibilities. A small number of additional hours is unlikely to justify a separate letter by itself.
Can I Update Medical Schools About a Publication?
Yes. Clearly state whether the manuscript is submitted, under review, accepted, or published. Include the citation when available and briefly describe your contribution when it is not already clear from your application.
Can I Include an Upcoming Conference Presentation?
You may report an upcoming presentation after your abstract or project has been formally accepted. Make it clear that the presentation will occur in the future and include the conference date.
Can I Include a New Leadership Position?
Yes, especially when the role includes meaningful responsibility. Explain what you organize, who you lead, how often you perform the work, and what you hope to accomplish.
Should I Include Updated Hours?
Include updated hours when the increase is substantial or helps show that you completed an experience you originally listed as ongoing or anticipated. Provide the date range and briefly describe any growth in your responsibilities.
Can I Send the Same Update to Multiple Medical Schools?
The central accomplishments can remain the same, but you should personalize the greeting, school name, statement of interest, and any discussion of program fit.
Can I Send More Than One Medical School Update Letter?
You may send another update when the school permits multiple submissions and you have significant new information. Do not repeat accomplishments from the first letter or send frequent letters containing minor changes.
Should I Attach the Update Letter as a PDF?
A PDF is usually the best format when the school accepts updates by email because it preserves the document’s formatting. Follow the program’s instructions and use a clear file name containing your name and application ID.
Who Should I Address the Update Letter To?
Address it to the dean or director of admissions when possible, followed by the members of the admissions committee. When you cannot identify a specific recipient, “Dear Members of the Admissions Committee” is appropriate.
Should I Mention That the School Is My First Choice?
Only say that the medical school is your first choice when the statement is true and you are prepared to attend if accepted. That wording turns the communication into a letter of intent and should be used for only one school.
Can an Update Letter Get Me a Medical School Interview?
A meaningful update may strengthen your application or encourage an admissions committee to reconsider it, but it cannot guarantee an interview. The decision will still depend on your full application and the school’s priorities.
Can an Update Letter Help After a Medical School Interview?
A significant update may give the committee additional evidence to consider before making a decision. However, there is no guarantee that the letter will change the outcome.
Can an Update Letter Hurt My Application?
A professional and substantive update is unlikely to hurt when the school accepts it. Problems may arise when applicants ignore the school’s policy, send minor or repeated updates, exaggerate accomplishments, use the wrong school name, or communicate unprofessionally.
Final Thoughts on How to Write an Update Letter for Medical School
Learning how to write an update letter for medical school is really about deciding which developments add meaningful new information to your application and presenting them in a way that is clear, honest, and easy for the admissions committee to evaluate.
Your letter does not need to contain a national award, major grant, and publication to be worthwhile. A substantial clinical experience, meaningful new leadership responsibility, strong academic semester, or completed activity that was originally listed as planned may all show important continued growth.
At the same time, you should not feel that you need to send an update merely because several weeks have passed without an interview or admissions decision. Wait until you have enough substance to justify the communication, and always confirm that the school accepts updates before submitting anything.
My own update letters allowed me to show that I had continued the experiences included on my AMCAS application, fulfilled the activities I had described as planned, and achieved several new research, leadership, and service milestones. I sent them in November because I had enough meaningful information by that point and wanted the schools to consider it while they were still actively interviewing and making decisions.
My hope was that the update might strengthen my chances after an interview or encourage another school to offer one. I could not control how each admissions committee used the information, but I could make sure that the file they reviewed contained the most current and complete version of my candidacy.
That is ultimately the purpose of a strong update letter. You are not asking the admissions committee to overlook the rest of your application or promising that one new accomplishment changes everything. You are showing that you continued moving forward after submitting AMCAS and giving the school meaningful new evidence to consider.
For a complete overview of update letters, letters of interest, letters of intent, interview thank-you notes, and general emailing, read my pillar guide on how to communicate with medical school admissions departments.