Recently I was awarded with a very prestigious award for my role as an attorney on my mock trial team and will be attending the state championships. I also organized last month a huge service drive for a local women’s shelter where over a ton of donations was received and donated to women who are victims of homelessness and domestic abuse. I really would like to include this information in an update letter to some of my top choice colleges, would it be too late at this point and just a total waste of time to send updates?
Doesn’t hurt to try. Do it asap. I did mine a week ago and at least a third of the colleges responded back saying that they’ll view it with the other components of the application. Better than not telling them at all, right?
It may be too late to make a difference, but it is fine to send something but keep it short and sweet as admissions people are very busy this time of year. If you have any one school that is your favorite you can mention that in the note as well.
“Doesn’t hurt to try . . . Better than not telling them at all, right?”
Not necessarily. As you’re aware, many colleges and universities will promulgate their RD admissions determinations in about twenty days. Crucially, there simply is no more stressful and overwhelming period in the entire annual admissions cycle than RIGHT NOW.
OP, what you have to assess is whether these updates are so important to your evaluation that they justify interrupting admissions’ staffers, and – potentially – squandering their valuable time, during this ultra-demanding period. If your updates meet this high standard (and many on CC have suggested that means ONLY state- and national-level awards, not the possibility of perhaps earning such honors in the future), by all means submit them. However, what if they don’t achieve this high standard, what if you are perceived as being pesky and insensitive to admissions’ clearly hectic and difficult working environment in mid/late-March?
Only you can make this decision, but I disagree with post #1’s assertion that there is essentially nothing to lose; the fact is, there are potential risks.
It’s usually un-recommended. As Toptier said, you are making them to pay extra time to your application when they are already flooded with other applications. Unless it’s REALLY significant award, don’t.
Do tell them about a state award or major team award, don’t tell them you will receive an A in calculus instead of a B They receive updates all the time. it’s their job but do it with discretion.