<p>The waitlist letter says to email them a brief letter of interest, but I was wondering if it would be appropriate to also attach a creative writing sample? I have an excellent essay that's 550 words long. Out of all my school subjects, writing is my strong point.</p>
<p>Schools have but so much room to offer admittance. You made the wait-list because the school basically ran out of space to make a full out offer. The point - they already have assessed you can do the work; they have writing samples already in your application essays. I would think your focus should be on exactly what they asked for - give them a sincere description of your interest in the school, from several viewpoints.</p>
<p>Think of it this way - explain why they should accept you off the wait-list as opposed to someone else. Explain why you want to specifically go to this school, even after not making it in the first go-round. And explain / describe anything special you feel you would bring to the school that you never got a chance to mention in your application. See, this is all new information, which is what you want. You want them to look at you with “fresh” eyes. Use the opportunity to present more depth about yourself.</p>
<p>Show off your writing while explaining the above and you satisfy both criteria of answering their information request, while impressing with writing. I just do not see how another writing sample on a random topic helps. Everything you send now really should be a reason to accept you, the person; a random essay does not advance your cause in my opinion.</p>
<p>My DS was admitted off the waitlist last year. He sent a brief email explaining that although he got into other really good schools, he really has Williams as his dream school. He also clarified why it was his dream school. A few weeks later he followed up with an update - he had won a regional language competition.</p>
<p>Blueash, did your son specifically name in the email which schools he had been accepted to? I wasn’t sure if I should do that or not.</p>
<p>Also, I sent Williams an email after I received a deferral in the ED round. I already explained all of my reasons for wanting to go there, so I’m afraid of sounding repetitive in this email</p>
<p>After ED is different than the present. You do not need to repeat, but you should let them know your intentions and views have not changed and wanting to go there has not lessened any. Unless they ask, I see no point in giving names of other schools. Keep the focus on Williams, in my opinion. I would suggest being yourself and being as personal about any new reasons as possible. Good luck!</p>
<p>I agree with Falcolnflyer. They only want to know if you are really motivated to go to Williams and why. l</p>
<p>Astoria, don’t get caught up in, ‘I already said all I can’. This is the opportunity to use your writing skills to repackage you and why Williams is the perfect place for you. The idea is to make you stand out from the other waitlist candidates. I remember a couple of years ago, a young man got waitlisted at MIT and he did a music video about him and MIT. Use your creativity. Get their attention and make them understand that you are willing to make the extra effort to get in.</p>
<p>I would recommend that you send a simple, thoughtful letter that reiterates your interest in Williams. If you would like, you can always offer to send additional materials upon request!</p>
<p>I would write a letter AND send an example of your writing. Waitlists are opaque and organized more by what the school may need to build a balanced class than by the comparative merits of the waiters. You can’t know what space will open up. The more they know about you and your talents and accomplishments the better.</p>
<p>The most important thing aside from your letter pledging your undying love and immediate acceptance of an offer of admission, is to get your high school involved-- if possible your head or principal. Having her or him getting on the phone with the AO demonstrates your school’s compete support for your WL push-- often the head will have a longstand relationship with the AdCom and that can only help your case.</p>
<p>It may not do the trick but it ups the ante.</p>