<p>Im a bit unsure of something so here it goes...</p>
<p>I recently got a new award after submitting all of my applications. It is a Letter of Recognition Certificate from the California State Legislature and I even got to meet a state representative. Should I send this new award as an "update" to the schools that I applied to ? Does 1 award merit an update or is it just overkill? </p>
<p>FYI, the schools that I applied to are mostly top tier schools and I figure I need all the help I can get to gain admittance. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Probably overkill. These schools just expect you to keep excelling, and the number of awards matter much less than the experiences you went through to get them, which should show through in your essays.</p>
<p>You can send it in if the award is significant. There are some awards that can be somewhat meaningless or more like promotional materials than anything. Be sure this is really something that means a lot, very selective, and something that makes you look more competitive / unique. Completely ignore it if you paid for the “award” or recognition.</p>
<p>Lol, paying for an award. No, I got this award because my solar car team and I represented California in a national solar car race. I think I’ll send a copy of it and a small letter to my colleges. Im severely lacking in the award department anyways. :P</p>
<p>it will only help your application, so just send it.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t send it. Here’s why: Scenario 1-You mentioned in your app that you qualified for the national solar car race, in which case colleges will see that as a award/achievement and your additional award seems redundant and will just annoy the adcoms. Scenario 2-you didn’t mention the solar car thing in your app, in which case sending your award will look like you are desperate and/or will raise a question as to why you didn’t mention your solar car project in the first place. </p>
<p>Either way, it seems like it would be to your advantage to not send it.</p>
<p>Did you send the midyear report already? If not, then I’d just send it with it. </p>
<p>Why would you send a copy of your award? Just tell them you got this award and they’ll trust you. They don’t want to process so much paper. </p>
<p>So if you already mentioned it on your application, then don’t send it (obviously). But if you didn’t, then just send it. People send updates all the time.</p>