Should I submit a creative writing supplement?

[wowthere]

<p>Hi everyone!</p>

<p>I have been thinking of sending a creative writing supplement with my Yale application. It would be only a page long. However here's the thing:
- I am not sure I am talented enough (haven't received any awards) although I have been told many times that I am really good at it (how could I know if this is enough for Yale?)
- They can already assess my writing skills in the essays... Would it be really interesting to add a passage from the novel I wrote?
- Yet as a self-taught English speaker, I thought it could show some sort of strong devotion and passion for both literature and the English language (and possibly talent?).</p>

<p>What do you guys think? Could it hurt my application?</p>

[entomom]

<p>JMHO, supplements are for exceptional skills/talent; if you don’t know you are, you probably aren’t.</p>

<p>From the Y website:</p>

<p>[Supplementary</a> Materials | Yale College Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/supplementary]Supplementary”>http://admissions.yale.edu/supplementary)</p>

<p>

You should think carefully before submitting supplementary materials with your Yale College application. Most successful applicants submit only the items that we require. There are cases in which too many submissions, or submissions that do not reflect a high level of talent, can actually work against a candidate. Because the Admissions Committee gives greatest weight to the documents required of all applicants, we recommend that you focus your energy primarily on those elements of the application.</p>

<p>Supplementary submissions may make sense for students with substantial and well-developed talent that cannot be conveyed adequately in the rest of the application.

</p>

[Hunt]

<p>Concentrate on your essays. Yale gets applications from many students who have won writing awards (such as the Scholastic awards). Most of them don’t send creative writing samples, either.</p>

[wowthere]

<p>Right. But what if sending a creative writing supplement could be the ‘extra detail’ that gets me in? I mean, it could make me stand out from similar applicants.</p>

[entomom]

<p>You asked for input, and you got it. You can follow it or not, it’s your application so it’s your decision. At least speaking for myself, I’m not here to convince or debate with you. </p>

<p>One bonus comment for a new member: when on CC, consider the source. Take a look at the post counts and posting histories of the members who commented ;).</p>

[honeybee63]

<p>OP can you try to display your creative writing talent in your essay and supplement? The Yale supplement is a 500 word free for all (freedom with limits, the best kind ;)). Use that space to show Yale your writing skill. I’ve been mentoring a group of seniors and reading their essays for the last 2 months. Just yesterday I read an essay for a UChicago prompt about FDR and mantis shrimp. It was dizzying and utterly original, just verging on ridiculous but truly captivating instead. My point is you can definitely use the space you have to showcase writing ability. </p>

<p>And entomom is 1000% right. She and Hunt are two of a group of senior posters and moderators who have been here for many years and absolutely know whereof they speak. You are lucky when they take the time to address your query - they would not reply if they didn’t have something of value to say. You can get deeply informed advice and brilliant insight on CC or you can wade through rubbish. Consider the source. And GL with Yale!</p>

[Hunt]

<p>Aw, shucks.</p>

[wowthere]

<p>Thanks a lot for your insightful answers. Looking back I think it is wiser not to submit it, and as honeybee said, there is still the Yale supplement opportunity.</p>