<p>My daughter found out over the weekend that she has been named a finalist in a prestigious film competition; the final awards are to be announced in mid-March. She wants to know if she should contact the colleges to which she has applied (RD) to let them know about this accomplishment. If so, what is the best way to do so? By e-mail? Letter? Phone call? Or should she not contact them at all?</p>
<p>It is appropriate to provide significant new information to the admissions offices. Don't call by telephone. If you want it to be put into the files, send it via email or by regular post. Do all the identifying needed to make clear the name of the student.</p>
<p>But the key word in my previous paragraph is "significant." Is being a "finalist" highly selective, is it something that is important to the particular schools she's applied to, is this a local, regional, state, or national competition? If it's just a nice additional achievement or near-achievement but not a significant addition to the record, I wouldn't report it. If you can validate that this is "rare" and "important" and a mark of achievement, especially at state or national level, then report that and make clear why it's significant.</p>
<p>MotherLove, your D should DEFINITELY give this information to her colleges. I would suggest she send an e-mail immediately to the admissions office (CC it to her regional admissions officer if you have that e-mail address). Then immediately follow-up with a letter (with a copy of the award if she has one) which requests that they add it to her folder. And CONGRATULATIONS to MotherLoveD!!!!</p>
<p>I agree to definitely provide added information. Not only does it provide additional information, in my opinion it also says, "Hey I'm still trying, I'm still interested in going to YOUR school"
Good Luck</p>