<p>What sorts of extra stuff do people send in with their applications? I notice on the Gateway app, there's a place to attach pdfs or media files or links. I was thinking of sending a recording of my d singing, playing piano, and/or performing in a play. But I'm curious about what other sorts of things people send in. Especially pdfs...do you send more writing samples? copies of award certificates? </p>
<p>I know it depends on the student, but it seems very open ended. I'm wondering what sorts of things might help the application or help the AOs to see all sides of the applicant. And is there a tipping point at which there's diminishing returns (too much, or appearing too desperate)?</p>
<p>Create a website and then point them to it in your application. We found this to be advantageous in a few ways.</p>
<p>First, the site contained a ton of links (we did this for my son’s theater performances) but admissions officers could spend as little or as much time there as they were interested in, without the sheer volume of it overwhelming the application. I was also very worried about appearing to “oversell.” I felt like offering them the option of viewing it was a good compromise, without forcing it upon them. </p>
<p>Second, even though the deadline had passed, we were able to add more recent clips in the period between application deadline and review (they were looking at the site in mid-February, and he was in a musical in early February). </p>
<p>Third, using Google analytics, we could see when there was activity at the site, and where it was coming from (IP address). This was much easier to set up than you would think. It wasn’t flashy or anything, just a straightforward collection of clips and his theater resume, training, etc.</p>
<p>My personal feeling on additional writing samples or award certificates is to only add them if they give information that isn’t already portrayed in their application. In other words, if your kid has won his geography bee for the last two years, and you’ve mentioned that elsewhere in the application, I don’t think you need to upload a PDF of the certificate. Same for writing samples: if there is an unusual example that doesn’t work well as the required admission essay but shows another side of her ability, maybe, but consider whether it is redundant. Our example would be adding an additional extracurricular recommendation than the number required, because we felt it spoke to an interest/skill set that my son has that wasn’t really visible elsewhere in his application. But I would not have sent three glowing recommendations who all spoke to the same area of ability. (Just my $.02) </p>
<p>Thanks @booklady123. I’ve never set up a website before, though I think I may be techie enough to do it. Where do I start? Do you mean like a blog?</p>
<p>I agree with your thoughts on the certificates and writing samples. It just threw me off with the place for a pdf. Wasn’t sure what they would be expecting there. Maybe results of neurological testing, perhaps?</p>
<p>I could see sending PDFs for some short story or poem maybe, or a scanned piece of art. I think they don’t mind either videos or links to YouTube recordings or websites for some exceptional sporting event or acting/singing/ musical performances-- but I would just send an example or two, not a lot, and I would only do it if your child is pretty advanced in–and focused on–whatever activity you’re sending. I definitely wouldn’t do award certificates. You can also bring DVDs or examples of whatever to the interview-- but, again, I would only do that if they’re pretty accomplished in whatever it is.</p>
<p>We just used Google sites, personally. Very plain and simple. As I said, it was more to collect the clips all in one place. </p>
<p>Regarding bringing or sending DVDs – we had an AO tell us that links were preferable because they were easier for the committee to share than a physical item. I have no idea if that was his preference or what. And I don’t think I would choose NOT to send a DVD if online clips weren’t an option. It was just what was communicated to us when we asked for format. And then we put them all in one site to avoid a list of links…</p>
<p>We attached a Youtube clip of DS having a lesson in his sport. I know that they watched it as more than one AO mentioned something about it on revisit day. They also commented about it on his acceptance letter. That being said, he is pretty darn good at this sport, but not crazy olympic level good. We made the clip short, only about one or two minutes and set it to music. We figured it couldn’t hurt.</p>
<p>Our thoughts on that was that if there was something that wasn’t easily shown or described in the rest of the application, then video links etc. would be appropriate. </p>
<p>DD is a swimmer - we presumed that we didn’t need to provide a recording of her swimming, her times in the various events would mean more to a coach. Are we approaching this properly? Or do I need to be scoping out a good vantage point to shoot some video at the swim meet this weekend?</p>
<p>@jmtabb Swimming, track, crew, etc, are pretty cut and dry. Times are what matter; video is not important. Keeping with the athletic theme, video would be important for football, as an example.</p>
@booklady123, Thanks again for your help. I set up a website and Google Analytics, just as you suggested, and it’s fun to “watch” the schools view it.
We sent a link to a youtube video that we made of my daughter playing her instrument. I know that one school, Exeter, I believe, there was a separate form, and it needed to be in by the deadline, 1/15.