Is this a bad idea? I’m waitlisted and sending a letter of interest.
The best thing you can possibly say is: “If I get off the waitlist, I will definitely attend”.
Sending another essay and other minor updates are meaningless.
It is a bad idea, you cannot change your essay during the application period it will confuse the adcoms.
No, just send the letter of interest.
What would the new essay be about?
It is a poor idea. You should only send an “ardent interest, and if accepted from the waitlist, I will certainly attend” letter. Please remember, if an additional essay is made available to you, fairness dictates it similarly be offered for every other waitlisted applicant. These essays would then have to be read (probably by multiple evaluators), graded, filed, and so forth. That’s a LOT of unplanned admissions department manpower and unbudgeted institutional money. When you consider this from the UNIVERSITY’S PERSPECTIVE, you should understand why it’s a poor idea.
Bad idea. Best thing you can send assuming it is true is “if accepted I will attend”.
You don’t want to get on their nerves. Don’t send it.
If I were an adcom facing another essay to read, I’d automatically toss it, along with your letter of interest.
Work with your high school college counselor on how to best demonstrate interest when in waiting list mode. If possible either directly or through your counselor contact the college’s regional representative. Contact the rep with an acceptance letter to the wailist with the statement of if accepted I will go. Avoid any aspect of senioritise. Do as well as you can in your final term. Provide updates regarding grades and major achievements to the regional rep. If possible have your counselor advocate for you. Your communication should be short and substantive. Good luck.