@runswimyoga so your son was asked to join solely on his admissions essay? Was he contacted while decisions were being made? So KWH is actually involved in the admissions process, they also read applications/essays?
I’m just wondering how that would work. Like is KWH involved in making decisions, reading applications and picking students with really good essays who have expressed interest in English/writing?
As a parent of someone who went through the KWH process last year, my son really didn’t know about KWH until the summer before he applied (RD). He had submitted a couple pieces for publication to a literary journal, and one of the editors recommended he contact them. He did, KWH asked for writing samples, and eventually they “recruited” him. No visit or physical interaction at all. Based on this, I really think their decision to recruit is based on their own view of a student’s potential and not so much past accomplishment. Of course, past accomplishment (or focus) can show a passion for creative writing, which is likely something they care about seriously. He LOVED the KWH people by the way. Truly supportive of writers and creative people in general—a built-in support group so to speak.
I don’t think there were any letters sent out…I never got one and I know I was supported by the writers house
@ZBlue17 My son was accepted ED - he didn’t know anything about KWH.
Sometime after RD admissions were announced (in late May?), he received an email from KWH (Jamie-Lee) telling him how much they/she liked his writing from his admissions submissions and inviting him to join/ take classes/ become part of KWH. He asked a few friends and others on the Penn 2020 Facebook group if anyone else had received that email- no one else had. So I’m guessing admission counselors pick essays that they really like and then send them to KWH for possible recruitment into the program.
At NSO (new student orientation) he met several students planning on being a part of KWH. One had gone to writing programs, won an award and had contacted KWH and submitted work. They received a letter that their application would be supported. The other had no formal writing experience but had emailed KWH before ED due date and submitted a portfolio of her work to Jamie-Lee. She received a letter that KWH was supporting her application with admissions. However, she was deferred ED… but happily she was accepted RD!
If Penn and participating in KWH is a top desire of yours, I would not hesitate to contact KWH right now…attach a small sampling (or portfolio or whatever you call it) of your writing and ask if they would consider you as a prospective student. Don’t hesitate to contact them- there may indeed be a date that you have to submit your work for consideration to Jamie-Lee by… but I’m 99% positive that for RD it hasn’t passed yet. If you want you can at the very least call them and find out ( a student will answer the phone and tell you what you need to do).
In the link below for prospective students you will see Jamie-Lee’s name highlighted …click on it and it gives you her email… It doesn’t hurt to send an email inquiring and telling her of your strong interest … so you can get in the loop!
http://writing.upenn.edu/wh/highlights/prospective.php
They will in no way shape or form penalize you for reaching out- if anything it would be the opposite; Penn loves pro-active students! Penn students have to reach out for what they are interested in.
If this is a passion or strong interest of yours I would at the very least call or email tomorrow - remember you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!
Ps my son was also asked to apply for a different scholars program at Penn (again one that he hadn’t known about) based upon his Penn admissions application/essays… so the admission counselors really do give your application a good read and then pass your info along to prospective programs admissions…
@runswimyoga wow thank you so much for your help!!
I submitted my writing to Jamie Lee (I’m applying RD). When do you think I’d know if they’d support my application as a potential student there?
@rebecca12345 I’m planning on doing that as well! When did you do that?
@ZBlue17 I literally submitted my portfolio yesterday and I got an email back saying she’ll review it after the RD app deadline but did not really say when I’ll be notified about whether I’d be a potential writer or not. It’ll probably be closer to the decision date, so I’m not worrying yet.
@rebecca12345 @ZBlue17 I got in ED but never got an notification. Probably don’t expect one, I think they are changing the procedure this year
i got admitted! hope to see you guys next fall
My son won the National Scholastic Art and Writing Award American Voice award which is higher than even the Gold Medal, he also previously won the Gold medal twice for other pieces, he is the Editor of his school paper and considered by his teachers to be a ‘gifted’ writer. After he applied ED to Penn, we learned about the Kelly Writers House. We wished we knew sooner as he would be a great fit and could have benefited from their endorsement. He sent his award winning essay to Josselyn, but only received an email saying she would read it, but was very busy…He was ultimately deferred and now we are wondering since there is more time whether he should try to get support from KWH and if so how? Any advice would be appreciated…Thanks.
@bianca17 It’s too bad that he didn’t know about it earlier. I don’t know where you live, but is there any way you could go visit and take a tour of KWH? Meet with them? If not, he should contact them and send a portfolio of his writing to them. It sounds like he never completed the survey that all students being considered complete. So he should email Jamie Lee Jocelyn, explain that he discovered KWH late, tell her about the deferral and take it from there. And make sure he enters scholastic again this year - maybe he can update admissions with additional wins.
How do we know if they’ve chosen to advocate for us?
Well that’s the question of the year! Typically an email is sent to the few that were officially “recruited.” (before last year, a “good” letter and a “bad- non recruited” letter was sent. Then last year, only the “good” letter was sent. This year nobody on college confidential reported getting an email. So I guess the best way to find the answer to that would be to ask KWH.
Has anyone been in contact with KWH recently and/or gotten feedback yet?
Is it too late to email? I didn’t realize that the Kelly Writers House recruits people when I applied, but am really excited about participating in activities there.
Congrats! @ineffableaurora, @doorrealthe Got a similar letter. Will see what happens RD.
@Tothelimit What letter are you referring to? A letter from KWH? Did they send out letters this year?