I have written an essay (600 words) about my father who has influenced. But, it’s not like a college application essay, it’s more like a creative narrative.
Would it be beneficial for me to send it to colleges? Specifically, Princeton and Columbia? I emailed them and they said they would take it and add it to my file but I am concerned about two things:
Will it annoy the adcom and work against me?
It’s mid-Feb so is it too late?
Also, for Princeton, this essay is just a more narrative/story version of the “Describe a person that influenced you” essay with better language and it’s more personal. So would it be redundant to send it? I do believe it is better because as I said earlier it lacks the “please admit me” and “systematic” components of the original essay I wrote.
For, Columbia, this would just be an extra essay.
Thanks everyone!
Unless AO (or faculty) specifically requests for additional writing samples, it will be meaningless. In the book “The Gatekeepers”, an AO of Wesleyan actually complained that students send too much unnecessary information.
I know Columbia asks for any research abstract, but I don’t know about additional writing samples.
Unless you think it will knock someone’s socks off within the first two sentences, I’d advise against sending.
"they don’t want more to read at this point so unless it is earth shattering "
I’ll go a step further. They don’t want more to read at this point. They have enough to evaluate you and they aren’t interested in everyone dribbling in last minute “oh look at me” submissions. If you had a significant update (award, achievement, published research abstract) – that’s one thing. A written document/essay/personal statement? No way.
@viphan @T26E4 @happy1 Alright thanks so much! I’m just being really desperate trying to get in. However, should I upload it to the Harvard portal? I was deferred early, and they said on the portal that we could upload stuff (essays, writing samples) until March 31st. And I don’t have anything like that essay with my Harvard app right now so maybe it could offer a new perspective?
@viphan In The Gatekeepers, it was actually a joke. Ralph Figueroa told students to never send in poetry - and then proceeded to describe some of the best poetry he’d received. The message was kind of to ‘be different’, although I’m sure sending a lot of supplements would be bad.
I emailed several colleges to ask if I could send in an extra creative writing supplement, and they said yes (including Wesleyan) . However, this was before I’d even submitted my application, so I don’t know how they’d look at yours now. Would probably agree with @T26E4 there. Also, my writing submission was exemplary (graded by friends, teachers, and fellow CCers), and my indicated major was related to English.