<p>A friend of mine in graduate school tells me that cover letters are NOT read when they are attached to a resume.</p>
<p>Because the creative writing major falls under the arts category which allows for an additional resume to be added, I have completed a resume. However, I wanted to add a cover letter for a more personal touch.</p>
<p>Does this sound like a good idea?</p>
<p>Should I attach a cover letter, or not?</p>
<p>The school in question is Columbia, should anyone be curious.</p>
<p>Sorry, but bump.</p>
<p>If your friend is trustworthy then I’d just go by what he says and not do it. I don’t think a nice cover letter is going to significantly affect your admissions outcome.</p>
<p>Yeah, but, why would they NOT read it? :</p>
<p>Possibly cause they have so many resumes and applications to actually read, they simply don’t have the time. However, my thought is (and just clarifying this is my opinion, im not an adcom so I do not know for sure) they might have the time and actually look at your letter if you send it. If there is something to catch their eye, they probably will read it. But since they only require a resume, that is probably why they only read that actual resume opposed to the cover letter as well.
Good luck!</p>
<p>I mean yes, it makes sense, but when you check off “Art” it’s sort of ambiguous–it’s ridiculously unclear what the resume is FOR.</p>
<p>^ yes that does make sense. My suggestion is to add one. It won’t hurt and just in case so there isn’t any mix ups or misunderstandings.</p>