<p>It seems as though Yale discourages sending in supplements (I'm a senior applying EA) unless they're really, really good and it's not something demonstrated in your application. I'm a writer, and while my essays will demonstrate my talent, I'm thinking of sending in a supplement of some of my short stories.</p>
<p>For perspective, I've won a Davidson Fellowship for Literature and a national Scholastic Art and Writing Award. Do you think sending in my award-winning stuff will help me out? Or will it just be useless as they already know I've won the awards?</p>
<p>I think that supplements should show off something you didn't necessarily get to show off before. If you're a really talented artist or violinist or whatever, sure you can write that you do that on your app, but how good you are is impossible to tell just from reading. Not so with writing. You're already provided, with the Common Application and the Yale Supplement, 6 or 7 separate places where your skills as a writer can shine. Short Takes, Short Answer, Why Yale?, Personal Statement, Yale Essay, they all are writing focused activities. Ample space to prove your worth. Why send them extra? Does Juilliard want to hear a supplementary aria after you've auditioned for their voice program?</p>
<p>I think getting the Davidson Fellowship kind of clinches things, doesn't it? I'm pretty sure Yale will see your talent :)</p>
<p>I would send in your Davidson winning work.</p>
<p><em>bows down</em>
you could probably send in a xerox of your posterior as supplementary material and still get in anywhere you want after winning the Davidson. just curious, did you get the $50,000 top prize?</p>
<p>Absolutely do not send in another piece of writing. If you feel writing is your strong point you should show that in the 2 essays you have to write for Yale + other short answer type things. The point of the supplement is to show something you can't already demonstrate in your app...</p>
<p>^ right, I agree, in theory.
obviously just by putting down "davidson fellows winner" they instantly know you're a great writer. It's the literary equivalent of the Intel/Siemens or the Math Olympiad.</p>
<p>I envy you :)</p>
<p>curious question#2: what was your portfolio about and which genres did you choose?</p>
<p>That's great! Definitely turn it in. One of my friends didn't win, but he sent in his paper he had originally written for this other writing contest and he got in.</p>