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How To: College Application Update Forms

You applied early—what’s next at UT Austin, MIT, and more!

Spring is in the air and so are admissions results for students who applied under Early Action, Early Decision, or Priority admission plans! Depending on the school, you may have received one of three responses:

  1. Accepted

  2. Rejected

  3. Deferred

For those who were deferred, it can be a time of disappointment and uncertainty. However, it’s important to remember that you still have options! Many schools will accept additional information from deferred students that can help them make a more informed final admissions decision. 


There are two main ways that you can submit this information to schools: Letters of Continued Interest (LOCI) or update forms. Today, we’ll discuss how to approach and strategize for update forms. If you need more information and tips on LOCI, check out our blog post.

HEADS UP! If you were one of UT Austin’s 90,000+ applicants this year, you may have received notice that your application is still in review. This means UT Austin has not had a chance to complete their holistic review of your application and needs additional time (until 2/15) to account for this record-breaking admissions cycle. 


We do not advise writing a letter of continued interest or submitting any additional information to UT Austin during this time. Instead, you might consider applying to additional schools to increase your overall chances of admission. If you do receive a rejection from UT Austin on 2/15, you can join their waitlist or submit an appeal if you meet one of their five reasons.

Shown here is UT Austin's application review announcement in MyStatus.
Shown here is UT Austin's application review announcement in MyStatus.

Update Forms for Deferred Students

For schools like Stanford, the University of Michigan, and MIT, deferred students can fill-out an update form that highlights all the amazing things they’ve accomplished in their first semester of senior year! 


Although each school will have its own requirements, update forms typically have brief word counts and limited space, so being able to identify and articulate significant changes and updates is critical. You want your responses to make a lasting impression and highlight qualities and experiences that cannot be found elsewhere in your application materials (avoid repeating information you submitted with your original application). Focus on showing the Admissions Officer who you are as a person and remind them of your commitment to intellectual curiosity and personal growth.


Important updates can include:

  • Recent honors or awards

  • Newly-elected leadership positions and/or additional responsibilities

  • Any internships, research projects, and/or work experiences, especially those relevant to your academic interests 


MIT FUN Form

Let’s take a look at MIT’s required February Updates & Notes (FUN) Form as an example! Due February 5th, the FUN form is a chance for students to share important updates since submitting their Early Action or Regular Decision application, including:


Grades

You should complete the FUN Form as soon as you have finished your fall semester. Like many schools, MIT requires a Midyear Grade Report. Ideally, this will show that you’ve been challenging yourself with advanced coursework and performing well in your classes. 


Ask your school counselor for your official midyear grades to complete the FUN Form accurately (if your school uses a trimester schedule, report your first-trimester grades). Confused about how to fill-in the grade section? Click here and see the examples below.

*Don’t forget to fully spell out your course names and include AP, IB, Honors, Advanced, etc. when applicable


Extracurriculars

The FUN Form includes a text box with a 250 word limit and the following prompt:

In the text box below, please update us on any changes or updates since you submitted your application. This might include new activities or awards, changes at home, or anything else important and relevant to your application. Also, if you have any changes in your curriculum since you submitted the application, please note the changes below. 

This space offers a great way to concisely detail any significant changes in circumstance and/or to showcase the amazing things you’ve been up to since submitting your application! Since the word count is limited, be strategic and prioritize the information you want to share. Don’t be afraid to use bullet points, abbreviations, etc. 


Final Thoughts

Ultimately, update forms are a great way to reaffirm your excitement for college and give you a meaningful way to share everything you’ve experienced and accomplished in the past few months. Use this space wisely and take advantage of all the opportunities schools provide you as you navigate this time in the college admissions process.


If you’ve been deferred from your top schools and need help filling out an Update Form or drafting a Letter of Continued Interest, consider scheduling a College Admissions Services (CAS) session with B2A! Our team of experienced counselors can review your unique profile and offer suggestions on what to highlight to help you stand out amongst your peers. 


Contact us today to schedule a meeting!

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