Do awards really make a difference for waitlisted students?

<p>In February I won a debate contest held by one of the international organizations in Europe. It was a pretty big contest with around 500 best debaters from 48 countries participating. I got a 1st place and I was wondering if it is worth updating the admissions about. Should I do it and send the certificate too? I dont want to overwhelm them with extraneous information.</p>

<p>PS.I also won another 1st place for my artwork during the contemporary art exhibition of one of the museums in Germany. I'm very wary of disturbing them for this one as well.</p>

<p>any ideas?</p>

<p>Sorry I think its 38 countries Not 48</p>

<p>i have a similar question, except a state competition haha</p>

<p>I don’t think you have to send the certificate. If it was an important honor to you (which it sounds like it should be), I think you should update the school!</p>

<p>unfortunately, with only 38 countries represented, your achievement has fallen below the requisite threshold of notability and thus fails to meet the standards of worthiness to mention. If only it were really 48 instead. Just 10 more countries would have done it for you.</p>

<p>of course you should send that in! it’s quite a high honour, and if you’ve been doing this for many years, it’s good to show how your long efforts have come to fruition.</p>

<p>'Dear Columbia,</p>

<p>I am writing to notify you that I have recently achieved 98% on my math test. This is an important accomplishment to me, and I believe it shows a unique perspective on my application. Please consider my application in light of this new material.'</p>

<p>^ it doesn’t sound like that. I think you should send in an update.</p>

<p>haha… Did someone actually write this or did you just make it up?</p>

<p>So do you think its a good idea to send the award certificates? or will it be ok if I just tell them. I want to be convincing since im not gonna write a whole essay about it.</p>

<p>Yes send them, and also try to make your eassy with your style of writing.
But I have a question, wasn´t it the deadline in march?</p>

<p>If you’re going to update them on recent accomplishments, put it in a letter of continued interest. They don’t want to see your stupid certificate… just tell them.</p>

<p>Absolutely! I got accepted regular decision for Columbia and I was a Bio Olympiad semifinalist this year. Since results came out March 2nd, i was able to notify Columbia. I emailed Lorraine Latouche or w/e and she said yes it would be relevant helpful information. They want awards that are of at least a national level. The USABO is of a national level so they accepted it. Your award is of an international level so it will definitely be helpful. Just don’t send in awards of state, city, school, etc. level</p>

<p>Also, make sure your letter is in a formal letter format and don’t make it too long. The officials don’t want to read about how you’re good for columbia or so interested in it. They’ve already got your application essays.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

<p>C02, I dont know what is so “stupid” about my certificate. Maybe it will be more helpful for them to see it since there will be at least hundreds of people making questionable claims. Plus, I think you have been warned before for unnecessarily rude language on this forum.</p>

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<p>People don’t send in documentary proof of their ECs / awards. Did you send in certificates for every EC you listed on your application? I don’t think so. So why this one. And you’re misplaced to think hundreds of people are making “questionable claims.”</p>

<p>^Stanford09, colleges usually specifically state that they do not want the certificates. It’s extra paper and might annoy them even more. If it is a truly international award, then it should be online. So give them a link to the website.</p>

<p>To the OP:</p>

<p>Yes. My friend was waitlisted at MIT. He then became a USABO National Finalist. Bam, MIT admitted him once he updated them about the award.</p>

<p>so it’s got to be at least national-level to work?</p>

<p>I don’t understand why anyone is treating this whole thing as if there is some definite threshold to be met. If it is important to YOU, send it. Period. What is the worst they can do? You already have enormously adverse chances of getting off the waitlist.</p>

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<p>National, but a decent size nation. Champion of the Most Serene Republic of San Marino (population 29,973) might not impress.</p>

<p>Best out of 29,973 should impress.</p>

<p>hey, thanks for the sarcasm. i got some new awards, but i don’t even know if they’re worth mentioning because they are not that prominent and because our positions on the waitlists are already somewhat pre-determined (profile, geographic region, etc), so there seems to be no point in mentioning these.</p>

<p>What do you mean they are “pre-determined”?</p>