<p>Does anyone know if they allow sending these? </p>
<p>I don't really know much about it; I asked my guidance counselor and he said to make sure they would want it before I send it.</p>
<p>I'm interested in the Literature and Creative Writing field and I have a decent amount of work I could submit from a summer program actually at Columbia and from afterwards.</p>
<p>You do have to look at the websites for each college you are applying to and see if they accept supplemental materials. Some schools also have a limit on how many pages they will accept. For example Princeton has a five-page limit on creative writing submissions. Try to look on the admissions page for the collge or search on supplemental materials on the college website for the information.</p>
<p>I'm submitting a writing portfolio. I haven't seen anything on the Columbia website prohibiting it, and my counselor hasn't said that it's not allowed, she's generally knowledeable about such matters.</p>
<p>I have no idea what the official answer to your question is, but I do know that there are lots of technical "rules" that people seem to disregard and get in anyway if they're otherwise solid applicants, like what SAT2s are required.</p>
<p>So I can't see it hurting to send in something supplemental. However, keep in mind that the adcoms aren't going to have the time or desire to read every single diatribe you've ever penned. Given that, perhaps it's best to just send in your single best work and let that shine.</p>
<p>i agree with C02 (that's been happening way too much lately...strange)</p>
<p>but I think the best way to show them that you're a good writer is through your personal statement. There is a reason they limit it to a certain word count...because they don't have very much time to spend on each applicant... i highly doubt they would have time to read over a 5 page short story so if you do send them something make sure it's at most a page or two.</p>
<p>You'd be surprised at how much creative leeway the committee will give you for your personal essay. One girl I know actually sent in a completed question-answer type response sheet for a board game in lieu of what we would call the "essay."</p>
<p>And how would a portfolio add to your application as a whole? What other things on your application would indicate a strong desire to write? </p>
<p>People don't graduate from college as the same person when they entered college. While it's great that you have such a clear vision of what Columbia can do for you, no one is sure how we'll you like creative writing here. Most incoming freshman (first-year? freshlets?) will change their major several times (though this percentage might decrease after last week).</p>
<p>of course i'm not certain i wouldn't, but i sincerely don't think i'd change my major...</p>
<p>To quote directly from the application: "You may use this page for any additional necessary information that you could not provide in the application itself. You should not feel compelled to provide additional information unless it is necessary to do so, and we prefer that you do not attach additional essays and writing samples."</p>
<p>Should I do it anyway?</p>
<p>My writing is mainly prose poetry, so it's mostly relatively short.</p>
<p>If the app plainly states that you shouldn't then you better have a darn good reason for doing so. Again, how do your writing samples add to your application?</p>
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You'd be surprised at how much creative leeway the committee will give you for your personal essay. One girl I know actually sent in a completed question-answer type response sheet for a board game in lieu of what we would call the "essay."
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<p>This a Columbia student you know, or a rejectee? Interesting; sounds more like something that would go over well at Brown.</p>
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If the app plainly states that you shouldn't then you better have a darn good reason for doing so.
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<p>I don't think the app "plainly states that you shouldn't." It states a preference. Because it doesn't plainly state that you shouldn't doesn't mean that it's okay to do so.</p>
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This a Columbia student you know, or a rejectee? Interesting; sounds more like something that would go over well at Brown.
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<p>Yes, she is a first year. More interesting is the fact that she's in SEAS.</p>
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I don't think the app "plainly states that you shouldn't." It states a preference. Because it doesn't plainly state that you shouldn't doesn't mean that it's okay to do so.
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<p>That's a fair point but when considering how much freedom you have in other areas of the app, I think the fact that they caution you on sending supplements should definitely make you think twice.</p>