<p>I notice that Yale allows applicants to send in creative writing samples, mentioning that some applicants receive regional/national recognition for writing. I won a Scholastic Regional Gold Key for a short story I wrote. Should I send this to Yale?</p>
<p>[National</a> Gold Medal Recipients 2012 | Scholastic Art & Writing Awards](<a href=“http://www.artandwriting.org/the-awards/national-gold-medal-recipients-2012/]National”>http://www.artandwriting.org/the-awards/national-gold-medal-recipients-2012/)</p>
<p>If your name is listed in one of the regional areas above, then yes, I would send it.</p>
<p>How good do you think the story is? Will it add anything to your application beyond the fact that it won recognition (you can note the recognition elsewhere on your application)?</p>
<p>Well, I don’t think it’s the kind of eloquently written and artsy story that most gold key winner write, but it shows a strong mastery of symbolism and thematic material. Do you think it’s worthy of sending it in? And yes, I won a gold key for South Writing Region at large so I am listed in there.</p>
<p>Oh wait, I just noticed that gibby listed the national winners. But as i mentioned I’m just a regional winner and the Yale website mentioned regional/national recognition. Does this change your advice? Thank you for answering by the way.</p>
<p>Here’s Yale’s instructions on this: [Supplementary</a> Materials | Yale College Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/supplementary]Supplementary”>Supplementary Materials | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions)</p>
<p>I don’t see any strong reason not to submit this story as an attachment to your application, but I would urge you to ask one or two adults who know you to read it and to see if they agree that it shows you in a positive light.</p>
<p>You don’t need to send it as “proof” that you won an award. Are you interested in majoring in English? Then u might consider sending it. </p>
<p>If u did not know the author, and u had to read thru 30 applications in 1 day, everyday, would you want to read that particular essay to feel uplifted or would you feel like you wOuld groan and plow thru it like an extra English reading assignment when you already a lot of english assigned for that day? Based on ur answer, you will know if u should send it or not.</p>
<p>If creative writing is an integral part of your application, and it’s an activity that you’ve been engaged in, it doesn’t hurt to send it. However, if you’re sending it because it won an award and therefore must be good, I would think it over! There are 1,000+ national winners (approximately half of them writing award recipients), and many, many more regional winners. </p>
<p>Also, your essays will provide solid evidence for your skills as a writer. Yes, the styles of writing for personal essays and fiction are different, but clarity of expression, depth of thought, and a confident voice are qualities that will come through regardless of the medium.</p>