I was planning on sending a letter of demonstrated interest to Michigan, but I wanted to do it myself so I have control of what it says, instead of hoping that my gc does a good job. Would it being from me and not the counselor negate any value of it? I was planning on updating the regional counselor on my senior year and my grades. I will offer to have an updated transcript sent if necessary. I’m talking about my grades because I have a VERY strong upward trend and I want to show that my junior year wasn’t a fluke.
In the letter, I’m planning on saying that I would have applied early decision if my financial situation allowed it, and that if I’m accepted and I can afford it, I’ll attend. Any ideas/tips?
Also, I’m expecting a deferral unfortunately, so should I send this letter now and send another one when I’m deferred, or wait until the decision? I want to do everything in my power to tilt the scale in my direction.
If something has changed dramatically since you submitted your application, it is fine to send an update to the AO and in it to mention that this is your first choice School. If you are still waiting for grades from the first term to demonstrate that your upward trend has been sustained, it is better to wait until you have those. Most colleges ask for those, and your school will have to send those for you.
If you are deferred you should most definitely write a letter indicating your strong interest and highlighting anything that has happened since you originally submitted your application that would strengthen your case.
Great. Have your school, not you, report it. You can send a separate letter saying that your grades have been sent and that they support what you have told them about being on an upward trend.
It’s not a “problem” but that’s your GC’s job, not yours. For the obvious reasons that colleges want a document that has not been potentially tampered with, they may not accept your update as “official.”