<p>My son got his early action app in a few days early - thinking everything was tied up. In it, he mentioned being on the council at his school that governs the budget, etc. Today they elected him to be secretary -- the principal nominated him so he didn't want to say no, etc. -- he had no idea a few days ago this might happen. Anyhow, he came home in a tizzy thinking he needs to call the college and tell them about this position. I really don't think he needs to -- they already know he's on the council and he's already secretary of the other governing council and he has a ton of leadership positions listed. I suppose it's his call to make but I can't see his application rising or falling on this one point and they might think he's neurotic for calling. Any thoughts? It seems to me that once the application is sent, that's it. Life goes on and more things happen and you just have to accept that you turned the thing in. He can create an alternate version in the common app for other schools if he wants.</p>
<p>Last year when my son was applying to college he received an award after he sent his apps in. He wrote a letter and sent it to each of the schools and asked them to add the info to his file. I remember he could see what was entered into his file online for Carnegie Mellon, and it was evident that they added this info. We don't know for certain if the other schools did the same, but what could it hurt? It's not too time consuming to do it and either it will be added to the file or not. There's really no down side other than the time it takes to write the letter.</p>
<p>Instead of calling, he can write a letter, send it snail mail and ask that it be placed in the application file. This is perfectly appropriate. Yes, it probably won't make a difference, but if it avoids discord in the family, go ahead.</p>
<p>blackeyedsusan -- I see we think alike and posted nearly simultaneously!</p>
<p>Yes, I agree he should write a polite letter if it is a big deal to get the new position.</p>
<p>My son sent in a note to all his schools when he got the NM finalist, also nominated for Pesidential Scholar, also about a special choral thing he did after 3 months of rehearsal with a NYC dance company. Not sure where to draw the line.</p>
<p>I'm thinking "nahhhhhh". It does seem a little neurotic to me, and secretary of a high school organization is not a big deal. I'm not trying to be unkind here - but I think it would hurt more than help!</p>
<p>NM finalist is definitely worth a letter. Secretary - I'm not so sure, unless it is a really really BIG thing at your son's school. </p>
<p>I had to argue with my D when she gave me her Common App to proofread two days ago. She lumped all her activities and clubs by category. To her, "volunteering" meant key club, link crew, city works, etc. "Art" meant all things art she's ever done. She ended up with 5 EC lines, and only after she agreed to separate her club sport from her HS sport. She did not want to put her awards or summer classes in the extra info section. She though it was "pretentious" to do so ("they are not Nobel Prizes, mom!").</p>
<p>Sending the college an e-mail or snail mail update would be appropriate. At the very least, it would demonstrate his strong interest in the school. It would not seem neurotic for him to let the college know about his new position.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. It is not the NM award. I'm quite certain that the adults elected him becauase they didn't want to do it! In my experience, the position of secretary is rarely fought over -- everyone is usually grateful to anyone willing to do it. That said, it is a council of adults with only one student rep and I guess it says something that they trust him to be responsible, etc. I agree it's not a big deal but his main essay is about the other council and how he grew from serving on it so his involvement in this kind of thing is something he has made a big point of in the app.</p>
<p>did he have someone from the school visit his high school? if so, he probably got his or her card and could ask them. chances are theyre an admissions rep anyways so they would know how that information would be treated.</p>
<p>plus, keeping ties with someone connected to the school (like that admissions rep) can be helpful if he's a "maybe"--someone to go to bat for you is never a bad thing!</p>
<p>"That said, it is a council of adults with only one student rep and I guess it says something that they trust him to be responsible, etc."</p>
<p>Yes, that is very true. Sounds like he's reliable, respected and responsible, all traits that admissions officers like to see in their applicants.</p>
<p>I assume your son is applying ED or EA and the admission decision is imminent. If not, the only thought I'm having is that new offices, community and/or academic awards, ends of sport seasons with new championships/PR's, and so on, seem to happen every other week, changing the EC list in a rolling fashion. It seems to me that an "update" letter sent about January 1st, most school's RD deadline, might make sense. Or perhaps an update sent at the same time as the Midyear Report, right after the 1st semester grades are reported, would be appropriate. </p>
<p>We update my D's brag sheet, even though she's sent her EA application. If she's deferred, it would be easy to draft an update letter, with items that weren't known at the time of submission of the application.</p>
<p>Yes? No?</p>
<p>Yes, Riverrunner.</p>
<p>Even going from semi-finalist to finalist is really not going to change anything (virtually all semi-finalist make finalist) in the minds of adcoms. </p>
<p>If your son absolutely wants to send update, do it by snail mail and it will be in his folder for RD if he doesn't get in ED.</p>
<p>And Riverrunner, I'm hoping you won't need that updated brag sheet.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. We talked about it a bit last night. I think we all feel that it's not a significant enough position to write about -- particularly in light of all his other positions he's held, etc. He has a stellar letter of rec coming from somewhere he volunteered that mentions how responsible he is, etc. so I'm not sure he needs to reiterate that. Plus I'm betting his teachers/counselor mentioned it. Unfortuantely, there is no rep who visited his school although that is a great suggestion. I'll let son see this thread and decide for himself.</p>
<p>He has nothing to lose by sending an e-mail with an update. At the very least, it reinforces his strong interest in the school, and also helps keep his name in the admissions officers minds.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help everyone!</p>
<p>I certainly hope it would not be inappropriate to send a note to an admissions rep! My son recently atended an information session at a school and then applied. The online app only allowed so many pieces of information, so he sent a neat handwritten thank you and asked if his resume could please be included in his application file. </p>
<p>Why would anyone see anything wrong with this???</p>
<p>I just think it shows initiative, consideration, and respect for those who will review your file. </p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>How could it hurt???</p>
<p>I certainly hope it would not be inappropriate to send a note to an admissions rep! My son recently atended an information session at a school and then applied. The online app only allowed so many pieces of information, so he sent a neat handwritten thank you and asked if his resume could please be included in his application file. </p>
<p>Why would anyone see anything wrong with this???</p>
<p>I just think it shows initiative, consideration, and respect for those who will review your file. </p>
<p>Thank you.</p>