What's worth updating?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>Got deferred, wondering what would be worth including in a deferral letter.</p>

<p>Like, what's the lowest that things would actually matter enough? AIME qualification? Intel STS semifinalist? Winning some state music contest? </p>

2

<p>To write a great letter – and to know what to include in the update – you need to try to find out why you were deferred. See: <a href=“http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kat-cohen/the-truth-about-getting-d_b_2395749.html”>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kat-cohen/the-truth-about-getting-d_b_2395749.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

3

<p>Well, an awful lot of people are deferred, so I don’t know if the admissions office is likely to provide many details, unless maybe your guidance counselor already has a relationship with them. But I think what gibby says is worth a try. But whatever they find out (or don’t find out), it seems to me that you should send an update with any information that puts you in a better light, unless it is really insignificant. Obviously, any awards or honors–but also if you are elected to a new position in a club, or if you get a job. I would err on the side of including rather than excluding.</p>

4

<p>I agree, send an update with anything significant, especially if it adds a new dimension to your profile. All of the items mentioned by OP would qualify as significant enough. Two related questions- when to send the update, and how to send it? I don’t know the official recommendation of the admissions office, but my D sent an email to her region’s admissions officer in early March. He acknowledged receipt and thanked her.</p>

5

<p>@midnightdreary
Just to confirm, you are mailing this letter, correct? Not emailing it. I’m in the process of writing my update as well and want to double check. </p>

6

<p>Is national merit finalist status worth updating?</p>

7

<p>Although you can certainly update them of your status, 14,999 other students were also named finalists. I imagine many of them applied to Yale, so it’s not going to change Admissions opinion of you, whatever that might be.</p>

8

<p>.</p>

9

<p>I used fax, according to their faq or whatever on eli account thingy</p>

<p>yeah I doubt national merit finalist is really worth it, since so many kids are named it. it’s also based off of information that the college already has (test scores, ec’s, transcript, etc).</p>

10

<p>This is a really late reply, but whom did you address your letter to?</p>

11

<p>I addressed it to my regional admissions officer</p>