<p>The following paragraph is just my background information, so you can skip it and go to the next paragraph if you mind reading.</p>
<p>I applied for Reed RD and got waitlisted. Although I wasn't so disturbed by this result initially, I have been so regrettable as I have been realizing how Reed's courses are so advanced and intellectually compared with those of my previous primary choice, Grinnell College, which I'm supposed to go if I won't be accepted by Reed. Although I'm an Asian int'l student who is supposed to have smaller chance than others, my stats are obviously above the average of the admitted students, and my EC is, I believe, even stronger than my objectives. Also, I'm sure my LORs were fine. However, my "Why Reed?" essay and Common App essay were mediocre. Especially, since I initially regarded Reed as somewhere unbearably depressing and inflexible with curriculum due to its strict distribution requirements, my "Why Reed?" essay was just reiteration of stating how Reed is statistically better than other schools. Therefore, my essay lacked the information why Reed is suited for me and why adcom should pick me over others in order for Reed to profit by this selection. Although I put these information in the essay briefly, it should have been entirely revised to be a competitive applicant beside other students who were so enthusiastic about this school. </p>
<p>So, here's my question. As some students do in order to increase their chance to get off the waitlist, should I write a letter to the office of admission explaining why it’s the right place for me? How long should the maximum words in the essay be? If you recommend me to write a letter, I will follow the instruction given in the following Ask The Dean article. </p>