Are these letters important, or better say, do they really have any impact on the admissions decision?
(Under the assumption that there are no significant updates)
At Harvard? No.
I don’t think so. My daughter sent one after she ended up on the waitlist, and it didn’t help.
They assume everyone is still interested.
But the contact can be proactive. OP, there’s nothing to update them on? Assuming they’ll assume isn’t always the best way to go, when it’s a tippy top.
While assuming is not the best way to go for many schools, Harvard is rather egotistical in that they do assume that everyone applying considers it the first choice, particularly in the early round. Certainly update them on any major updates since your application, but a LOCI with no/minor updates is really a waste of time, IMO.
Thanks all!
I participated in a competition recently. If I win any awards, I would send a LOCI with this update. But for the meantime, I won’t.
Maybe this is semantics, but an update with awards, accomplishments etc earned since one submitted their application is very different than a letter of continued interest. IMO “Hi Harvard- just wanted to let you know that since I submitted my application I was first author on 5 articles published in JAMA and Lancet, and I perfected cold fusion” is different than “Hi Harvard- just wanted to let you know I maintained my 3.92 GPA and I still love you- you are my first choice”.
Taken with a bit of poetic license, but you get my drift.
No, they will not make a difference. But, if you have any major updates, its best to notify them.