<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I had a decent essay for the University of Rochester writing supplement ready to submit a few weeks early, but the day before the deadline I decided to rewrite it because I spent way too much (about half) of my 250 word limit on an elaborate introductory story and left out a lot of valuable details.</p>
<p>Anyway, after writing the new version I was able to get it checked over by my older brother (an English major when he was in college) and submit everything on time. The problem is, when I returned to the essay for inspiration for another writing supplement for a scholarship application, I discovered a few shocking mistakes.</p>
<p>First off, and most scary, were a couple of subtle grammar errors related to the school name that my brother didn't catch (and my English teachers actually didn't catch because they were in the original too). For example, I said something like "I wish to attend University of Rochester" rather than "I wish to attend the University of Rochester" and another part where I referred to it in an abbreviated form as "the university" instead of "the University."</p>
<p>Second, there were a few parts where I used REALLY flowery language and a few vague statements that might not show exceptional interest in the school (even though it is my first choice and I really do care). I have a feeling this was from the tiring, eye-burning experience of writing the essay and proofreading it back to back in order to make the deadline; I never really walked away from it for a few days and came back to notice this stuff until after I submitted it.</p>
<p>Lastly, I spoke a lot about UR's open curriculum and how that was a major factor in my decision to apply, but never explained what I would use it for. Once again, I think this made the essay weaker than I originally thought on the day I first wrote it.</p>
<p>Long story short, the essay I submitted was not my best effort and I feel like it might hurt me somehow in the admission/scholarship decision process. So I emailed Rochester admissions and asked if I could submit an updated essay, saying I had something significant to add that would strengthen my application (which is true). They said I could send it and they would leave a note in my file that I would like that essay to replace the old one, but that if they already began reviewing my application it wouldn't be looked at.</p>
<p>So down to the questions: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>What are the chances that they haven't begun reviewing my application today, January 18th, if I submitted my application the day of the deadline, January 1st?</p></li>
<li><p>Do you believe submitting a new essay would hurt me in any way, or possibly even help by displaying interest in the school by choosing to refine my application?</p></li>
<li><p>Does anyone know enough about the details of admissions to know if they would see the note in my file in time to avoid the old essay and read the new one? I really don't know if reading both would necessarily be a BAD thing, but it would be pretty redundant and I don't want to submit it if it will count against me in that regard.</p></li>
<li><p>Would reading an essay in a word document rather than the traditional common app format annoy admissions officers? What about the extra complication of being redirected to the new essay by that note in my file? How would they view this when considering my application?</p></li>
<li><p>Ultimately, should I submit the new one? What would you do?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I know it's just one small essay, but it's really worrying me, especially since I spent most of that week off school before the deadline focusing on Ivy League writing supplements when I most likely won't get into any of those big-name schools anyway.</p>
<p>Other Stats:</p>
<p>GPA: 97 unweighted</p>
<p>Class Rank: 10/400</p>
<p>Classes: All AP/honors</p>
<p>Test Scores: 31 ACT, 1340 SAT, 5 AP Lang + Comp exam, 690 Math I (taking Math II in a week), 640 Chem (without studying or taking the course in 6 months--retaking in a week), 630 Lit (retaking in a week)</p>
<p>ECs: Good, but no leadership roles really, just some community service, a few honors/awards (a local essay contest, UR's Xerox Award, NHS, Spanish Honor Society, NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence in regents exams, and a few others), a part-time job, and 2 varsity sports (one that I plan on participating in at UR, which is another thing that I made clear in the revised essay that I haven't submitted yet)</p>
<p>Common App Essay: WAAAYYYYY better. No, seriously, probably the best essay I've ever written.</p>
<p>Rec Letters: Solid, but one of those had a silly error too that I didn't notice to let my teacher know until after it was submitted -_-</p>