<p>On the supplement for the common app, there is a section that reads "If you would like to report additional information to Carleton that you did not report in the Common Application additional information section, please do so here."</p>
<p>Do you think it would be a good idea for me to write a "why" type essay? I am afraid to get rejected for not showing enough interest, because I never visited the school or anything. Until quite recently, I just wanted to go to my state university (University of Washington). By the time I became interested in LACs, it was too late for me to get to Minnesota, not to mention my lack of finances. I also never interviewed.</p>
<p>So, to show that I am interested, should I write a why essay? The limit for the space is only 800 characters. They provide a space to upload a document, but it says "Though our intention is to keep answers to the above questions relatively short, you may use the upload button below to upload a document and continue your answers." So it really sounds like they don't want anything too long.</p>
<p>Basically, my question is would it help or hurt my chances to explain why I like Carleton so much on the additional information section?</p>
<p>well, i don't think that it would make much sense to answer the same question twice...but if you're really adverse to uploading a document then it might make sense.</p>
<p>Personally, I uploaded a document. Carleton is my second choice so I had a lot to say about why i want to go, and what books i've read, and the teachers i love. i think for the LACs writing more is better. (but not too much!) each of my answers was a paragraph. </p>
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well, i don't think that it would make much sense to answer the same question twice...but if you're really adverse to uploading a document then it might make sense.
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<p>yeah, i know they have the question 'Why are you interested in Carleton College and how did this interest develop?" but thats only supposed to be three hundred characters, which is basically two sentences. </p>
<p>so if i write more, how much more do you think it should be?</p>
<p>I was wondering the same thing.
The answers seem to be way too short, ranging from 40-80 words.
However, I don't want to upload a document, as I don't think I have a really important thing to share with them.</p>
<p>Is it expected that we answer only in the space provided, or that we go for the extra mile and upload a document?</p>
<p>Has anyone already applied? What did you do? I just noticed the character limits--why are they so low?!?!?!? As of now, I'm over on every question except the one about family members attending Carleton. For example, I have 150 words for the why Carleton question, but that is 533 spaces too many! It doesn't seem like any of my answers are that long, though. Should I upload them as a document or just cut them all way down?</p>
<p>I wonder if I should just call the admissions office tomorrow and ask if it's very common for students to upload a document, and if readers take points off, so to speak, when a student goes over. What do you think?</p>
<p>I did have some connection to the admissions office back when I was a Carleton student, and I also remember freaking out about this as an applicant. My strong sense was that they don't want a full page essay for every question or anything, but that the 300 character limit is a bit loose and many applicants end up going a bit over that on at least one of the questions (and thus have to upload a document). I would not send in seven 1000 word answers, but if you have one or two that get a bit longer, I don't think they will look on that negatively at all.</p>
<p>i sent in my application a while ago, but i kept to the space provided for every question. admissions is reading thousands upon thousands of these questions, and they gave thought to how much space they should allow for each one. maybe if you go a couple hundred characters over the limit for one short answer you can attach it, but otherwise keep it short and simple. my answers ended up sounding much more intelligent when i cut out all the rambling and just got to the point, so it worked out for me.</p>
<p>and back to the OP, i think if you wanted to do that it would be fine, but an e-mail or a letter may be more effective. i know after talking with several admissions officers from small LAC's, letters go right with your application file and will remind the adcoms how much you love the school while they are reviewing your application.</p>
<p>also, does anyone know if/how carleton recalculates GPAs? last year, i got a C in sports med, which is an elective class. do you think that would affect my chances?</p>
<p>I agree that the space for answers is limited due to the huge numbers of applications being read. Likewise that the limit is flexible if the need is there.</p>
<p>As to your original question, I think it would be a good idea to explain why Carleton is your first choice, in light of the lack of interview or visit. Mutual interest is important.</p>
<p>Finally, it may not be too late to do an interview. Call/contact the admissions office and ask if they have any local representatives that you could interview with. If you can get an interview with a local admissions representative, that would be a good opportunity to make your case about your interest and your problematic C grade as well. </p>
<p>hey guys... I realized that if you write your responses in word document, then copy and paste it onto the textbox, it works, but it says like -39 characters left :P</p>