As I have previously mentioned, at almost every interview you will be asked, “Do you have any updates you would like the Admissions Committee to know about?” (previously discussed here and here).
The answer to this question is YES even if you suspect the answer may be no. Undoubtedly, you have done something between when you submitted your AMCAS and your interview! Whatever this is, you want to make it sound as good as possible.
If you have major accomplishments, publications, job changes, or leadership positions to report, then your job is easy. Practice succinctly articulating these updates. Additionally, prepare a document to leave with your interviewer. This can be a letter to the Admissions Committee, an updated CV/resume, or a bulleted list of updates. If an article was published, bring a copy. The point isn’t the format – it’s that you’re leaving a hardcopy of your update with the interviewer rather than relying on his or her memory to report these updates to the Committee. Your additions will likely become part of your applicant file. Moreover, a hardcopy of your update goes a long way toward making you look prepared, enthusiastic, and thoughtful. Bring several copies to your interview, as you will often have multiple interviews.
If you don’t have any major changes to your application, then the task may be a little more difficult. For starters, you don’t need an update letter or document – don’t highlight things that aren’t important. Instead, think of one thing you can genuinely explain to the interviewer – a new class that is engaging, a new task at your job, a new experience of some kind. Simply demonstrate that you are remaining engaged as your conquer the application and interview process.
The answer to this question is YES even if you suspect the answer may be no. Undoubtedly, you have done something between when you submitted your AMCAS and your interview! Whatever this is, you want to make it sound as good as possible.
If you have major accomplishments, publications, job changes, or leadership positions to report, then your job is easy. Practice succinctly articulating these updates. Additionally, prepare a document to leave with your interviewer. This can be a letter to the Admissions Committee, an updated CV/resume, or a bulleted list of updates. If an article was published, bring a copy. The point isn’t the format – it’s that you’re leaving a hardcopy of your update with the interviewer rather than relying on his or her memory to report these updates to the Committee. Your additions will likely become part of your applicant file. Moreover, a hardcopy of your update goes a long way toward making you look prepared, enthusiastic, and thoughtful. Bring several copies to your interview, as you will often have multiple interviews.
If you don’t have any major changes to your application, then the task may be a little more difficult. For starters, you don’t need an update letter or document – don’t highlight things that aren’t important. Instead, think of one thing you can genuinely explain to the interviewer – a new class that is engaging, a new task at your job, a new experience of some kind. Simply demonstrate that you are remaining engaged as your conquer the application and interview process.
