So you’ve hit submit on CASPA (yay 🙌) … and now? Crickets.
You’re refreshing your email like it’s your full-time job, stalking your portal, and wondering: Am I supposed to just… wait?
Friend, here’s the truth → applying doesn’t mean your work is done. The best applicants don’t go radio silent after submitting. They strategically keep schools updated so they stay on the admissions committee’s radar. And yes, it can make a real difference.
Here’s exactly how to do it (without being annoying).
✨ Why Updates Matter
Think of your application as a snapshot in time. You submitted weeks (or even months) ago, but life hasn’t stopped:
- You’re gaining more patient care hours
- You’re volunteering, shadowing, or working
- You may have earned a new certification
- Or maybe you crushed a tough class this semester
PA schools want to see that you’re still growing. Updates show commitment, consistency, and momentum. They also give admissions committees new reasons to remember your name when decisions are made.
📨 What to Actually Send in an Update
Not every detail is update-worthy. Skip the “I just wanted to check in” emails (admissions inboxes hate those). Instead, focus on these:
- Patient Care Hours → “Since submitting, I’ve completed 120 additional hours as a CNA.”
- Volunteering → “I’ve been serving weekly at [place] and have now reached 50 total hours.”
- New Certifications → BLS, ACLS, PALS, phlebotomy, etc.
- Academic Wins → “This fall I earned an A in Organic Chemistry II.”
- Relevant Experiences → New shadowing hours, leadership positions, or workshops.
Pro tip: Keep it short, sweet, and professional—2–3 sentences is plenty.
⏱️ How Often to Update
A good rhythm: every 4–6 weeks.
- Enough time has passed to actually have new updates.
- Not so long that schools forget about you.
If something big happens (like a new certification, major shadowing experience, or grade turnaround), don’t wait—send it right away.
🛑 Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Over-updating (“I completed 3 more hours this week!”)
❌ Long rambling essays—keep it concise.
❌ Getting defensive (“I know my GPA is low but…”)
❌ Ignoring school-specific rules (some programs specifically say no updates, so always check their website first).
💡 Example Email You Can Steal
Subject: Application Update – [Your Name]….
⚡ Read the full article and get the email template in our free Substack here!
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