<p>I'm updating Harvard after being deferred. I was going to send a packet, but I was wondering if it was too much. I was planning to send 2 new recs, research abstract, 2 new essays, midyear report, and an update on awards. This would go on top of the 3 personal statements I sent during early decision. Is this too much?</p>
<p>I think it is. I don't see why you need to send 2 new essays, for example. Are you sure that you need 2 new recs? Do they really show aspects of your character or academics that the other recs would not show? For instance, it's unlikely that adcoms need yet another rec from a teacher.</p>
<p>The awards update and research abstract sound appropriate, however, assuming that the research was substantive, not just a regular term paper.</p>
<p>yeah, they have enough to read, and they already have at least one essay that you wrote for the app. i also see new recs as unnecessary unless they explain some vast change in you. midyear report- yes. that is important, and research abstract sounds good.</p>
<p>Well, my original personal statements were really not that great. I would have liked to take them back. One of them was about how I lost a student council election (looking back, I have no idea why I would even think about sending it) and the other one was about the impact of my AP literature class on me (it was decent) and I wrote about my research project for the optional essay. One of my new essays is how I overcame a football injury and the impact on me (I really love this one) and the other is about my MIT inventeams experience (I guess I could leave this out).
My old counselor rec was pretty weak and not individualized. My new one definitely focuses more on me as an individual and gives great examples. My new rec from my stat teacher is the best one I've ever read; it gives great examples and the writing is beautiful.
How much of this do you think I should send? i did meet with my adcom and she said that she would welcome any information that would help in making a decision. Byerly? NSM?</p>
<p>DUDE, maguo, can you chillax. Why would you bother those people at your school again with all that crap to fill out. Send in everything, duh!</p>
<p>random note: about the essay with your football injury.. i'm sure it's a great essay, but i have a book on "sample essays" and tips from schools like yale, nortwestern, and johns hopkins... and they actually refer SPECIFICALLY to essays on "sports injuries" and how theyre a tad cliche... maybe yours is different, though?</p>
<p>Well, I guess it's a tad cliche; it discusses how my football injury made me focus more on academics, how the experience made me a stronger individual, and how football has continued to be an important part of my life.</p>