Fact is, your app has probably already been through several reads and they have their “take” on you.
They will not reopen your file because you add a work related letter. If you were up for an Intel award, in the back of your regional rep’s mind, he or she might be waiting for some results. You can see the difference.
You do not need to read further. But.
Too much outrage on this thread.
Think about it.
I live in New England, so because of this we start later in the year. Also run on a quarter system, our semester (first two quarters) ends like early February. Add that to all the snow we’ve been getting, grades went out later this year. My midyear report was send out about ten days ago. I talked to my guidance counselor before grades were officially posted, asking if she could send a note/letter along with my midyear report. She told me it was better that I did on my own because it shows “initiative.” She told me the write a letter, and send it out during February break and cautioned me no to send my grades in before the schools would get my second quarter grades. Deep inside me I was still conflicted for some reason, and I haven’t sent anything in.
What has happened since then. Well I was accepted to Northeastern (Honors + Scholars) before my midyear update was sent in. So they at least were not on their seats questioning my abilities even if I didn’t have a glaring 98 average.
I did my MIT FUN form accordingly adding this update.
I had a my Stanford interview and told the woman to note it, and she said she would
Actually, during my Princeton interview I told the man why I didn’t apply early, but he just brushed it off and I’m thinking he wouldn’t have noted it.
Tuft’s emailed me telling me they didn’t receive my midyear transcript so I will fax it though my GC tomorrow and ask her to send a short note, or I will write one and send mine in at the least.
@gibby my first quarter grades were on better than before. But my grades have been consistent across the past three years.
Thank you, I’ve just realized that too. Part of it is in this stressful wait then you start scrutinizing your application, and it just occurred to me that I could have had an easy 4th rec since I’ve done such varied ECs for quite a bit. But hey I did the whole college process on my own, I go to public school that isn’t college crazy, working parent that doesn’t know anything about the process so sometimes common sense things slip by you.
And yes, I absolutely did mentioned that I’ve done the engineering thing! But in the CA slot amid ten other ECs I think I put it (4/10). For the 150 word prompt space I wrote about an even more unique EC that I did out of school. Sadly, I didn’t get a rec out of that one, either, although I considered it. (If you can’t tell I waver a lot)
On a good note, one of my teacher’s recommendations come’s from an in school EC where I’ve done a bunch of stuff so at least there is an “outside the classroom dimension.”
And indeed you’re suggestion about a hypothetical safety thing would be cool. The engineering firm that the guy works at is renown for roof collapse analysis in MA due to snow. I didn’t do actual roof analysis work since I, of course, am not certified, but it would have been a nice touch to note I understand some of the load considerations of a very important/possibly deadly thing that is happening all around the Harvard area. I really like the way you think, that would have been pretty cool.
My school does not rank, but I am the top ten percent. I don’t know exactly where I fall, as to 5% versus 8%, but I’m up there.
I will go with your advice, and talk to my guidance counselor about sending in a note/calling.
You’re welcome. Good luck.
UPDATE: @notjoe never send it any update because my intuition and God told me it wasn’t right, and yesterday was accepted to H and Y!
Congratulations on your acceptances. You have two fabulous schools from which to choose. There are no wrong moves at this point. Take a moment to bask in it, to enjoy it, if you haven’t already.