<p>Due to a few bad decisions, I procrastinated on some college apps, and for one of them, I didn't start until 18hr before the deadline. In the tight amount of time that I had, I ended up submitting an extremely bad essay because I had nothing else better.</p>
<p>Is this going to be a huge problem? Should I write a better one and attempt submit it a bit later? Or, should I wait until my application is deferred to regular decisions and then update everything?</p>
<p>Will this hurt in the long run? Or, did I just make a bad decision that I'll have to remedy later?</p>
<p>I don’t really know what to say…are you applying to any of the top 30 schools? Most of those weight essays pretty heavily and what you write may or will affect your results. On the other hand, state schools don’t really read essays much at all. I went to a state school admission session once and the officer had told me he rarely reads essays to the end unless the first couple of lines can capture his attention and convince him to dedicate another 5 minutes to the applicant. So, no, it won’t hurt you if you’re applying to state schools.</p>
<p>I don’t think colleges will like your idea of “sending another essay”. I know this may sound harsh, and I’m not trying to be, but it’s your fault that the essay wasn’t up to par. Unless your admission officer is extremely forgiving, he or she probably won’t agree with the idea that because you procrastinated and didn’t submit the essay you liked before a stated deadline, you should have extra time to submit a “better one”. It might appear as a lack of responsibility on your part.</p>
<p>Obviously, you should have just waiting until regular action. Without knowing the real details (how bad was it, which schools are you applying too), if you truly messed up, it is time to take stock. </p>
<p>I can see you are in Cal, so we are not talking about State Schools. If they are the type of schools that do give weight to essays, and there is nothing on your application that is so impressive that it might be ignores, and it was truly awful, then I think you should assume you will not get into any of your EA schools. This makes your RD schools that much more important. Start choosing now, and get to work on your essay, because if you mess up the next round, you are looking at a cc.</p>
<p>Depends on who you are…did you write a bad essay, but you are an excellent student who’s shown they are at the top of their class? If the essay is your only fault (or area that you haven’t done well on), then most colleges give you the ability to explain your circumstances. Call them and ask. To do nothing would be the direction of someone they wouldn’t want.</p>
<p>I generally have good stats that puts me in the competitive pool. However, as with all of the top schools, it’s going to be quite difficult for everybody.</p>
<p>Since the common app requires two essays, I ended up having one good essay and one bad essay. The bad essay conveys myself very well, but in the least sophisticated way possible.</p>
<p>The app for my other EA school went quite well, so I am not fearing anything on that part, but for the second one, the essay seem to be the only problem.</p>
<p>Then, I have my list of RA schools and those that don’t offer EA. Those consist of my second and third choices, so there shouldn’t be too much tragedy.</p>
<p>However, college apps are something to be taken seriously, and I’m quite concerned. Do you guys think it’ll be better overall if I call up the admissions office and admit my mistake? Even if they won’t consider a replacement for EA, they will at least consider it for RA deferral, right?</p>