Updating Applications After Submittal

[Roccoriel]

Hello everyone,

I submitted everything back in December (only to realize that one of the programs wasn't actually due until this past Tuesday...at least I haven't had to work on applications for a couple month, right?). Since submitting, I received grades from the past semester that bumped my GPA a bit. Should I contact the departments I applied to since then, or will I just be being annoying if I do so? If so, how should I phrase it so I don't sound as nervous and crazy as I feel?

Thanks in advance!

[gradgirlwannabe]

I sent replacement documents to one of my prospective schools about a month after the application deadline, but at that point, the adcom hadn't begun to review applications. I guess it depends on how far into the process they are.

[Roccoriel]

Thank you so much for getting back to me! Another question: did you just sent the replacement documents alone, or did you include a note explaining why you had sent them?

I'm hoping the school I'd need to mail to isn't too far along, as it has been a month since the deadline. The other school prefers updates via email and because their deadline was just this week, I imagine they aren't too far along for updates at this point.

[gradgirlwannabe]

Thank you so much for getting back to me! Another question: did you just sent the replacement documents alone, or did you include a note explaining why you had sent them?

I'm hoping the school I'd need to mail to isn't too far along, as it has been a month since the deadline. The other school prefers updates via email and because their deadline was just this week, I imagine they aren't too far along for updates at this point.

I included a cover letter that explained what the documents were and that I'd like them to replace others. I don't know if replacing docs is standard procedure or if it reflects negatively on the application at all. In your case, I wouldn't think so.

[Roccoriel]

Okay. Unfortunately, I can't make it to where I need to go to get a physical transcript due to scheduling, so I will email the graduate school and alert them that I am attempting to cause confusion for the entire process (which is pretty much what I feel like I am doing, but hey, I don't want them to base their decision on slightly lower grades).

Or maybe just a short email explaining that I wanted to send my updated grades.

Thanks again for your help!