<p>I was deferred. What can I do to improve an application, generally, for the RD round?</p>
<p>Please help! :)</p>
<p>Call them, ask them, and if you don't mind, post their answer on this board.</p>
<p>Keep them updated on your accomplishments. Any new awards? finally made it to the varsity soccer team? Etc...</p>
<p>I was about to post this. I am incredibly set on gettin in, I don't care what anyone else says (that whole consolation "if they don't want you, you don't want them" crap). I plan on calling them late next week, after the ED fuss dies down. I'm wondering if I could submit a new supplement to my application with other, more recent stuff and also stuff I neglected to send the first time through (just extra stuff like pictures of work I have done, and other such supplements.)</p>
<p>In no particular order:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Keep them updated on your accomplishments, but do so in a concise and measured way. That is to say, don't deluge them with information that won't make a difference, because that will annoy them and distract them from the information that might. For instance, if you're a hockey player, sending them game-by-game updates on your scoring statistics is a bad idea. Letting them know that you made All-Conference or All-State is a good idea.</p></li>
<li><p>You can't go wrong by sending them a letter saying that while you are disappointed by being deferred, you understand that it's an extraordinarly competitive process and you just want to reaffirm your interest in Princeton, as well as your conviction that you're a good fit for Princeton, and vice versa. One thing that they don't know about you from your application is how gracefully you handle setbacks and disappointment. This kind of a letter can let them know that you're poised, classy, mature and the sort of person that they would want to have in the class.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>What NOT to do:</p>
<ul>
<li>nag them</li>
<li>be overbearing, arrogant, or angry ("How could you defer me? Didn't you see my scores?!!!")</li>
<li>call up and cry (This does happen, and it never does you any good.)</li>
<li>get your parents involved</li>
</ul>
<p>Good luck, and don't lose perspective! Princeton is a wonderful place, but it's not the only wonderful place out there.</p>
<p>Would someone (maybe you hbarns) who has a greater knowledge of what a college would look for in this post-defferee letters and "supplements" PM me. I would like to talk one-on-one with one or two of you to see if you have any ideas/approve of mine. My thoughts are very specific to me, things I have done that I didn't list or didn't go into enough detail about on my application that maybe I should now. I would GREATLY appreciate this, if anyone would do it. </p>
<p>Thanks,
Jason</p>
<p>hbarns, that was very helpful, thanks! My guidance counselor recommended I send a letter as well. </p>
<p>Does anyone else have any further recommendations?</p>
<p>Someone (hbarns would be great) tell me if this plan is stupid:</p>
<p>I already sent in a music supplement in which i played trombone and bass trombone for them. I'm thinking maybe they didn't need one that badly, so I'm going to make another CD and play tuba this time (i think i can pull it off and make it pretty impressive). Maybe they're low on tubists? Or would this just make it seem like i was beating a dead horse?</p>
<p>Well... it could come across as if it was a fake... </p>
<p>I mean...they just hear the sound, they don't see you or even if they did you could have overlayed it...</p>
<p>Don't wanna discourage you nor do I intend to imply that you aint doin it for real but you won't want any suspicion in this direction, do you ?</p>
<p>What? Umm...i don't think you understand how it works. People send in music CDs all the time. They aren't going to think you faked it! I was asking if it was dumb to send a second one.</p>
<p>Seeing as how there's a big push on for the creative and performing arts, that couldn't hurt. If whoever evaluates it likes it, it could help.</p>
<p>to whom do you think we must address the letter?</p>
<p>I'd address it to Janet Rapelye, the Dean of Admissions.</p>
<p>What about creative writing supplements? I thought that my essays showed my writing skills, but... I don't know if sending in an extra portfolio would help. I am currently writing a novel (about half-way through), so is there any way to let them know about it? (obviously I can't send the entire thing :)) And would it be worth it, anyway, since I haven't tried to get it published yet, so I have no confirmation if it's any good...</p>
<p>I would strongly reccommend establishing relationships with admission officers. Go to local information sessions, or go on campus to info sessions and talk to the admission officer giving the session after they finish. Ask for their card and update them on your accomplishments and ask them questions throughout the process. It always helps when the people reading your app know who you are or at the very least recognize your name!...obviously don't be obnoxious but try to establish a relationship.</p>
<p>These have been great suggestions. Thanks everyone for the advice! Does anyone know what percentage of deferred students eventually get accepted from Princeton? I don't want to lose hope...</p>
<p>in response to nelle's post about creative writing, does anyone have a response to this?? im in the same boat and wondering if i should send them anything about it</p>
<p>I would say go for it...any additional materials that showcase your talents can only help you, right?</p>
<p>Definitely go for it. I am gonna play my tuba trump card and I'm gonna put in my letter that i practiced it just for them, to show my dedication to pton.</p>
<p>The way I see it, if you don't send anything, they might not even bother looking at your app again (well, they should, but you never know).</p>
<p>ok so how would i go about this, just pick an excerpt and send it under optional materials?</p>