Deferred, what sort of information can I send in to help my application?

<p>Well I just got deferred from Cornell; I was under the impression that this usually occurs for students which colleges want to know how their senior grades are. However, my grades are pretty much perfect (41/42 during junior and senior year in the IB Diploma) so I doubt that they're looking to see some sort of improvement of some sort.</p>

<p>My question is, what sort of information should I send in to help strengthen my application. Grades/scores are basically out of the picture, so what else can I send?</p>

<p>Cornell's deferral letter states:

[quote]
Although you are not required to submit additional information, you are invited to submit supplemental information that demonstrates your intellectual and extracurricular interests.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I was wondering if I would also be allowed to submit a revised version of my common app essay. I feel that it is one of the worst aspects of my application and think that my second draft is 100x better than the one I submitted, which was very impersonal and boring. (I didn't have much time to write/go over it since I started late - I know it's completely my fault). Would this be a good idea?</p>

<p>Also can I send in another LoR from a different teacher that I feel will convey my qualities in a different light than that of the other two teacher reccs I submitted?</p>

<p>I very much doubt they will accept an updated essay, nor an LOR. Normally they are expecting awards/achievements.</p>

<p>You submitted your first draft as your final common app essay??</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Alright, I understand. In that case, I’ve only received a small state competition award between my submission of my ED app and now. Is it safe to assume that this isn’t enough to sway my deferral into an acceptance, and that I will be ultimately rejected?</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Well it wasn’t really my first draft; it just wasn’t as good as it is now. But yes, it wasn’t exactly my best piece of writing and is one of the reasons I regret applying ED(Sorry for the confusion, I posted my question at 4:30 AM and was pretty sleepy)</p>

<p>Another question I had was, if I am to send extra information, which email address should I send it to? Should I send to the undergraduate admissions office’s address, or is there another designated address for this kind of stuff?</p>

<p>I wouldn’t recommend sending another LOR - it is likely another teacher will simply reiterate what your other recommendation(s) have already said. It’s also unlikely they will accept another version of your CommonApp. The school is likely looking for awards, achievements, or significant grade improvements that occurred after you submitted. Best of luck! Don’t give up :)</p>

<p>I am sympathetic on the ED essay quality issue – this happened with our oldest when she applied a few years ago. She definitely tweaked and cleaned up her essay more for later applications. </p>

<p>However, I do not think sending a new or revised essay is going to help you at all, and in fact may only serve to point out the original weaknesses. Your best bet is if you win an award or finish well in a competition or something – then send an email to admissions telling them you are still really interested (if it is your top choice, say so), and that you wanted to let them know that x, y and/or z has happened. For my D2, she finished fifth in the state in an athletic competition and was named NMF after apps went in. She sent updates to all of her colleges in early February with that information. It sure didn’t hurt – she got in everyplace she applied.</p>

<p>Many schools these days are looking for community service. Is that something you invested time into?</p>

<p>Don’t bother to start anything new. Cornell’s website does say it is ok to send in another essay, not required. We all know what that means.</p>

<p>Yeah, I won’t really be starting anything. I’ll just send an update on a state competition I won and reiterate my interest. It’s nothing big enough like NMF to push me over but I guess there’s nothing I can do about it now.</p>

<p>Cornell will accept a supplemental LOR, however, remember that they want to see something different from what they’ve already seen - if this new recommender can meaningfully add to what has already been said about you, you should send it with your update. Look carefully over your first semester - did you play on a winning team? do you do any academic/musical/artistic/scientific competitions or performances? MUN or debate? school government? running a club? anything you have successfully accomplished would be appropriate to include in an update. If your grades continue to be stellar, you should certainly include this in your letter, and emphasize why you continue to believe that you are a great fit for Cornell and vice versa. One of my Ds sent an (unsolicited) update to all her colleges with new information and included mid year grades with comments, because the comments were so detailed and full of praise. She ended up being accepted everywhere, although how much the extra materials mattered we’ll never know. And she did send an extra LOR from a community service project she spent two summers working on.</p>

<p>I agree that it’s probably not necessary to send more info. They could also be waiting evaluate your app in the context of regular decision apps.</p>

<p>If they allow it, try to send in your better essay. After all, that is what communicates your personality the best.</p>

<p>This may be too late to be of help, but I just saw the post and high school classes have only been back in session a week or so. I would first talk with my GC for advice. S/he has likely dealt with this before with the Ivies and is your best source of advice. One thing I would ask the GC if is it would be of benefit to contact your area rep for Cornell and ask his/her advice on this question. My first question would be, “What is appropriate to send that will enhance my candidacy?” Second, “What is not appropriate or redundant?” I believe you also have to submit the mid-year report and if your grades are perfect, this will only reinforce everything!</p>

<p>My son was deferred by the two fine institutions to which he applied ED.<br>
They both request “mid year reports”.
He told me today he has spoken to his counselor at High School. The HS Counselor says the needed forms are at commonapp.org. We do not find them there. Can anyone provide any insight/guidance on how to submit MYR?</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>The mid-year reports are submitted by the guidance counselor.</p>

<p>How did your son apply ED to two schools? Was one of those an EDII application after getting the first ED deferral? And if so, he’s already received a deferral from the EDII application?</p>