<p>College admissions offices often stress that they do not like to receive extra letters of recommendation, essays, supplementary materials, etc. According to many on this board, they become "annoyed." Apparently, if such information isn't big enough to change a decision, then it shouldn't be sent. </p>
<p>OK. </p>
<p>But what are the consequences of sending such information? A rejection? The way it seems, a person doing so is going to be rejected before sending the information, and if the information isn't significant, still be rejected after it's sent. However, there's still a possibility that such information can be significant, and that it may somehow alter the decision. Therefore, it seems like it would always be a good idea, even if it "annoys" admissions. </p>
<p>The only good alternative explanation to this would seem to be that the extra information would somehow bring the decision from an acceptance to a rejection, which is obviously something to be wary of. Would admissions seriously do this though? Would they reject an otherwise great applicant simply because they're "annoyed" by having to read an extra recommendation or whatever?</p>
You put “annoyed” in quotes, as if it’s fake. Look at it from the admissions officer’s point of view. Each officer is given a number of applications to review. Depending on the school, that number could be in the several thousands. If each applicant then decided to send in extra material, what do you think that does to the officer’s time and ability to give full attention to all the applications?</p>
<p>Why would you think that a student’s inability to follow instructions would not negatively affect an admissions officer’s view of the student?</p>
<p>Moreover, a “great” applicant usually doesn’t need to pad the file with additional, extraneous information.</p>
<p>It is usually the borderline student who does so - the one who’s not sure that he or she is “good enough.” And yes, sending additional information could be enough to send a borderline student to the reject pile.</p>
<p>Therefore, before you send any additional information, be sure that it is, in fact, significant, and not just another redundant recommendation.</p>
<p>I can see where this would be a problem for the admission’s point of view but I can also see where the applicant might be worrying, needlessly or otherwise. For instance, a college will have a couple of criteria that are very important in their consideration and several that are just important. I may feel that I meet or exceed all of them but one of the very important items of consideration. Will it be enough to make me a borderline student? That might depend on the selectivity. Or maybe it doesn’t.</p>
<p>I think some of us just over worry about these situations. Which is why we have safeties.</p>
<p>Does being awarded National Merit Finalist status justify a notification? Some of the schools I’m applying to are top schools where NMF’s might be common so I’m not sure.</p>
<p>Do colleges respond well (or at least, not negatively) to a thoughtful paragraph or two reaffirming interest in the school attached to the update? It’s not an essay or anything.</p>