<p>So it says on the waitlist response form: "We respectfully ask that you refrain from calling, mailing or emailing the Admission Office to reiterate your interest in Stanford. Simply accepting your space on the waitlist is indication enough. Do not submit any additional letters of recommendation from your counselor, teachers, alumni, friends, etc. We also ask that you do not send any additional materials such as writing samples, resumes, creative/performing arts credentials, newspaper clippings, photos, research papers, certificates, etc. Additional materials of this sort will not be considered or returned."</p>
<p>But my problem is that I have an essay I wrote about a SIGNIFICANT event in my life(my best essay of all-time), and I want to send since I know it WILL make a difference. Should I send or not? I'm in a dilemma!</p>
<p>They said no, so you shouldn’t.</p>
<p>“We also ask that you do not send any additional materials such as writing samples, resumes, creative/performing arts credentials, newspaper clippings, photos, research papers, certificates, etc.”</p>
<p>But the thing is, the essay is very IMPORTANT and ESSENTIAL to me. Will it hurt if I send it?</p>
<p>I don’t think you should since it might annoy them and… they did specifically state- not to send in any additional info… just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>You’re asking if you should send something that they EXPLICITLY asked for you NOT to send…</p>
<p>Just don’t. They don’t really have time to read another essay and even though it’s really important to you, you’ll end up annoying admissions officers.</p>
<p>Waitlists are not usually about picking on qualifications but who fits a missing gap. So they are looking geographical, racial, athletic, or aid/no aid type of kid to replace some who turned down the admission.</p>
<p>It serves to fill gaps in what is considered a well rounded class.</p>
<p>It is not whether the essay is something essential and important to you.
The issue is whether or not it is important to the admissions committee.</p>
<ol>
<li> Is this late breaking news that happened after March 1st? (since some were providing updates up until that time)</li>
<li> Is it that important to THEM that they would disregard what they said (e.g. respectfully please don’t send us anything)?</li>
</ol>
<p>Although I agree with what everyone else said about not sending it, I don’t know whether you cured cancer or something else great, so I would have your guidance councilor or someone else who knows the admissions process read your essay and give advice.</p>
<p>My essay is not about any achievement, qualification, or anything of this sort. It is about how the death of a (very close) family member affected me, and shaped me to the person I am. And it is not breaking news or anything. It happened long time ago.</p>
<p>“And it is not breaking news or anything. It happened long time ago.”</p>
<p>Then I would refrain from sending it. They probably will wonder if it was so important, why didn’t you send it before? Is it “important” only as long as you haven’t been accepted to Stanford? (not saying this is true, just trying to give the adcom’s possible thought process)</p>
<p>THIS.
How would you explain that you just realized that an event from a long time ago was a significant event?
Either that or you would have to imply that you knew it was significant back then, it just wasn’t significant enough to include in your common app.</p>
<p>I agree with general consensus that you should not send any additional information. I highly doubt that your story would influence the admissions committee, and they have made it very clear that they do not wish for any additional information to be sent in. Sometimes, following simple instructions is the best advice.</p>