<p>My main EC is writing a book, and I feature it in a supplemental essay and/or the Common Application 150 EC description section. For my Stanford application, I also used the additional information section to include a page excerpt of the book, in order to give the admissions officers a sense of what it was. For RD, though, I was considering using a longer 3-5 page excerpt with the art supplement, in lieu of what I did for Stanford. However, I have some reservations with this course. Firstly, I'm not sure a three to five page excerpt is really enough material for an arts supplement. Secondly, I'm not sure if the quality can get to what the colleges make it sound like they want. They always say "only submit something if it demonstrates exceptional talent and is worthy of review by our faculty." I'm not certain that my writing demonstrates exceptional talent, or is worthy of review by their faculty. How am I supposed to judge its absolute quality? I think its good, but that is no indication of what Yale or Dartmouth would think. Finally, I'm not even sure that writing is one of the arts meant to be featured by an arts supplement. I obviously don't want to ruin my chances for acceptances anywhere, so if someone knowledgeable could address these concerns, that would be appreciated greatly.</p>
<p>I used the common arts supplement for creative writing. I followed most of the directions and then just wrote "Creative Writing Supplement" instead of checking any of the boxes. I also e-mailed my ED school if they accepted writing supplements before I actually sent it in. </p>
<p>I think that you should send it in if you have spent a great deal of time working on your writing or have taken classes.</p>
<p>I also do not believe that they will reject you because you send in a supplement. Worst case scenario is that it will have no weight in determining your admission. I think you should go for it as long as you e-mail them and ask if they accept them. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>It probably won't work against you, so give it a shot if you like.
[FYI, I don't think Yale wants creative writing supplements. The only way it would help you would be if you are a fantastic writer, and if you are a fantastic writer, your essays will show it.]</p>
<p>Here's what Yale has to say about creative writing supplements:</p>
<p>Creative writers who submit work for possible review usually have very well developed talents. Some have been recognized at a regional or national level and many have successfully pursued writing opportunities beyond their English classes and school literary magazines. If you are thinking about submitting extra writing samples, you might consider sending a carefully chosen short piece rather than a long manuscript. Bear in mind that the required application essays are the most important “writing samples" in an admissions file.</p>
<p>If it's your main EC, I would definitely send something, but bear in mind their desire for brevity.</p>
<p>Okay, after consideration, and the input here, I'm leaning towards not doing so. All a creative writing supplement would demonstrate is, as stated, my writing ability. That is something accomplished just as well through my essays and one page excerpt as it is through something a bit longer. I'm not sure if there is any benefit, or if the time investment is worth it.</p>