Letter of Reconsideration

I am planning to write a letter of reconsideration to CMU as well as UCB. I have a few additions to my CV since I applied, and I really hope to go to either of these universities. I have a lot of questions regarding the letter, however, such as whom to address it to, what all I should include(internet gave me a lot of varied responses), and the general tone of the letter. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks a lot for your time!

Were you rejected or waitlisted from these universities?

If you’re on the waitlist, go ahead and send in the new information along with a letter of continued interest. Maybe not for CMU (if you’ve already signed up for their waitlist) - their web pages say they don’t accept them.

Check the colleges’ web pages for information on decision reviews, however. Many colleges say they are final. New additions to your resume probably isn’t enough. They’ll tell you to reapply next year. If you were rejected, they already have a waitlist full of kids they’d take ahead of you. It takes a major mistake on the part of others, such as an incorrect transcript or test scores sent in your name, to get a bona fide review of an admittance decision.

If you were rejected, and your issue wasn’t something like 'my guidance counselor went crazy and refused to write recommendation letters " or “College Board messed up my SAT Scores” there is no use in sending an appeal letter.
If it was “I was elected President of chess club” or “Got an A in Calc” it is too late.

Have you been accepted anywhere? Start figuring out which college you have been accepted to go to.
If you are the awesome person you think you are, then you will SHINE at your college!!! Be a star!