Question about sending extra stuff

<p>So i got deferred and I would like to write another essay or something. Are there rules for sending stuff in other than name and DOB? What I'm asking is, is there any limits to what I can send in? Am I allowed to write one or more essays?</p>

<p>I think what I have heard is you can send in anything as long as its not ridiculous, and you dont get annoying. Also, make sure it adds something new to your app.</p>

<p>You can send anything you want, period.</p>

<p>Matt has a blog entry [url=<a href="http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/the_freshman_application/supplemental_materials.shtml%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/the_freshman_application/supplemental_materials.shtml]here[/url&lt;/a&gt;] talking about the most common types of things which are sent.</p>

<p>I don't think fear of being "annoying" should be a factor at all in your decision to submit or not to submit supplemental materials. The people reading your application are professional admissions officers, and their job is to read the application that you craft and submit. They do not get annoyed when you follow their stated policy of allowing any supplemental materials that you'd like to send -- if it were a problem, they'd place a limit on the amount of supplemental material accepted.</p>

<p>I think it should be totally up to you as the applicant: do you think these additional materials will provide a better picture of who you are as a person? If they're redundant, I don't think they should be sent -- not because the admissions officers would be angry or annoyed, because they won't be, but because it's not helpful to keep repeating the same points in the application.</p>

<p>Scientists have a term called "grantsmanship" -- the skills that you need to craft a strong, pithy, on-point, fundable grant application. I think that undergraduate applicants need to have a dose of grantsmanship themselves to make an application that highlights their strengths and makes a strong argument for admission. Remember that the admissions officers have never met you, and they're relying only on your application to get a sense of who you are and why you should be admitted to MIT. If your extra material helps make that case, then send it. If it doesn't, then don't.</p>

<p>Here's the big question, and maybe you could help Mollie;</p>

<p>Does this extra stuff have to be submitted by the deadline for RD? Because if so I need to start hurrying!</p>

<p>Nope, send it in by about the end of January. They will be reading applications until early February and convening for selection around Valentine's Day, so material sent by the end of January will be able to be included in your application.</p>

<p>Ok, thanks. I feel a little less stressed now that I know I don't have to have it in by RD deadline.</p>