<p>Is it a good idea to write more than 2 essays?</p>
<p>Is it okay to get more than 2 teacher recs?</p>
<p>If I am not going to major in music, is it good to send a music solo recording as a supp anyway?</p>
<p>"Research/Writing Samples</p>
<pre><code>* If you are submitting research materials for review, please include a short statement putting the research project into the context of your academic interests and future plans.
* Please do not place any paper-based support material in binders. Stapling or binding in the upper left corner is sufficient. Please include a header or footer and paginate each sheet (e.g., 1 of 4)."
</code></pre>
<p>^ If I were to write a research paper thats relevent to my major or interests, is that what this is talking about? (I am in debate, and I wrote a research essay on my debate case about policy, and i was wondering if I should send it in?)</p>
<p>Would taking more than 3 SAT IIs help at all? Or would they only evaluate my top 3?</p>
<p>If I retook a course online due to a bad teacher... and wrote in my additional info because the grade is bad due to the teacher... would that do okay...?</p>
<p>Also, is it good to send some non-teacher recs (Friend, Employer, etc.)?</p>
<p>The answer to most of your questions is: It depends.</p>
<p>Additional essay: It depends on if the college is open to additional essays (some state clearly that they are not); whether the essay really adds new information that isn’t in some other part of your application; and frankly, whether or not the essay is great and gets the adcoms attention or if it is is not particularly good and merely makes more for them to read during the busy admissions season.</p>
<p>Additional recs: Again, it depends on whether the individual college permits additional recs; whether the extra rec is excellent; and if it adds substantial new information about a different aspect of your application.</p>
<p>Recording: Only if it is at a very high level of skill, they don’t want to spend time listening to an average level performance.</p>
<p>Research sample: Depends on how good it is. </p>
<p>SATs: Only a couple of schools in the country ask for 3 Subject tests, many want 2 and others don’t require any. Anything over 3 is unnecessary and will not substantially help your application.</p>
<p>Retaking course: It might be OK to retake the class, but you walk a very fine line blaming a teacher for your bad grade.</p>
<p>Non-teacher rec: Employer, OK as a suppl rec IF it is excellent and adds information about you that is not in your other recs. Friend, NEVER!!! (except for Dartmouth’s Peer Evaluation)</p>
<p>The take home message here is: More is NOT always better in college admissions. Adcoms have a saying: The thicker the file, the thicker the applicant. If you choose to send in anything over what is requested, you should be absolutely sure that is is going to enhance your application and not harm it. While you may think that you’re special enough to warrant extra material, the adcom who has been reading through upteen applications for several months may not agree.</p>
<p>Haha, entomom basically covered it all!
Definitely make sure you ONLY and ONLY include supplementary materials including extra essays and recommendations if they are super-stellar. Don’t waste their time.</p>
<p>well… you made me sound arrogant lol… im not though(i know you didnt mean it)</p>
<p>The research paper was one of the best essays i have ever written, thats why i was asking</p>
<p>thanks guys</p>
<p>Sorry, no slight intended, I might have gotten carried away trying to get my point across! I just hate to see people shooting themselves in the foot by supplying too many “extras”. If a college is open to receiving writing samples, and you think that your essay is an excellent representation of your work, go ahead and send it.</p>
<p>thanks alot, i know you didnt mean too!!</p>