<p>DS was WL at some schools last year & will reapply. The essay questions are the same, and I'm wondering if he is expected to write new ones? He is happy to revise the ones that should be updated with new information, or the ones which he feels aren't as strong. But for the ones that he likes, can he clean them up and re-submit? Or do the schools expect a completely new response to each question?</p>
<p>I would definitely encourage him to do new ones. First, I don’t know if they look back at the prior year’s application, but it would think they might and would worry that it seems lazy not to have done new essays. Second, while there’s probably never just one thing that drives the admissions decisions, if he didn’t get in last year, maybe the essays weren’t as good as he thought. Finally, he’s a year older and more mature - give him a chance to show how his writing and analytical skills have improved over the intervening time.</p>
<p>OK, thanks for your response soxmom. He was WL at the two schools that he’s reapplying to, and is reapplying for the same grade, so that should help (hopefully). He will update each essay to reflect another year of writing under his belt - good point. A couple of the essays however ask about a meaningful event in his life, or a strong quality of his, and those won’t change. I hope that’s OK.</p>
<p>Don’t the schools’ application form ask if the student has ever applied before? I vote to make the essays nominally different at a minimum. </p>
<p>Was is Albert Einstein who is attributed to saying:
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<p>IMO–change the essays completely rather than updating them. My kids changed a lot at that age from year to year–an event that was meaningful a year before might have less meaning–or different meaning–now; same with the strong quality. If nothing else, he wants to show that he’s grown as a writer over the past year.</p>
<p>I agree: write completely new essays. There’s nothing to be gained by reusing the former ones, even if slightly updated, and potentially a lot to lose.</p>
<p>New essays. The old ones didn’t do the trick last year. Even if they were splendiferous for an 8th grader, he’s a whole year older this year–the new essays would reflect the natural change the past year has brought.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your replies! Yes, the schools ask if he has applied previously, and this was also discussed in his interview. He has decided to start over on about half of the essays, and do a strong revision on the others. Fingers crossed!</p>
<p>How about the recommendation letters? Getting back and ask the same teachers to write them up all over again?</p>
<p>@hogsark: Well, if the applicant is now a grade older, I would assume that in most/many cases, the teachers may be different.</p>
<p>Different teachers and in fact, different school. At least for us.</p>