<p>The Yale admissions website notes that applicants should only include portfolios or samples of their musical work with their applications only if they demonstrate "exceptional" ability. What is "exceptional," and how do you know if you've reached this level of artistic ability that Yale desires?</p>
<p>Question 2.</p>
<p>If you've had several essays published, and you want Yale to know you love to write, should you send your best one in?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you are at or very near conservatory quality, you're OK sending in a CD. If you're just in the local youth symphony, don't bother. </p></li>
<li><p>Where have these essays been published? If it's in a national publication or some other big deal, you could consider sending it in. Your personal statement(s) for the application will show your talent as a writer and you can list where your essays have been published in your application. One of your personal statements could even be about your love of writing. The admissions officers spend all day reading, so they may ignore supplemental written materials and just take your publication in an impressive forum at face value.</p></li>
</ol>