Page 1 of 1

Sending Why X several weeks after complete ap?

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:15 am
by AlanShore
I'm planning on writing a few Why X for my top choices where my #s are median. One of the schools is across the country so I will obviously not be visiting. They are doing a recruiting event in my city in November and I am planning to attend so I can write a more compelling Why X. However, I will have finished my application for this school by the end of this month.

1. Should I send in my application when it's finished and add the Why X in November?
2. Should I wait to send everything in November?
3. Should I write a Why X based on info I can find online and forget the event and send everything together in a few weeks?

I realize a Why X will probably make no difference but I figured I'd try anyway.

Re: Sending Why X several weeks after complete ap?

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:16 am
by gaud
Maybe send one with your original app and then an updated one once you attend the event?

Re: Sending Why X several weeks after complete ap?

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:19 am
by AlanShore
gaud wrote:Maybe send one with your original app and then an updated one once you attend the event?
good idea. anyone second this?

Re: Sending Why X several weeks after complete ap?

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:25 am
by rinkrat19
AlanShore wrote:
gaud wrote:Maybe send one with your original app and then an updated one once you attend the event?
good idea. anyone second this?
Not really, no. They don't want two Why X essays sitting in your file. It's not just an infinitely large folder in which they're happy to stuff every piece of paper with every single thought you have about the school as it flits through your brain. They're getting files from literally thousands of applicants and aren't your personal secretary. Don't annoy them.

IF you can write a compelling Why X now without having visited, talking about more than you can just get from the school website, then do it. Save the post-visit thoughts for a LOCI (Letter of Continuing Interest) if you get waitlisted.

Otherwise, don't write one now, and send it later when you have something compelling to say, possibly not until you need a LOCI.

Re: Sending Why X several weeks after complete ap?

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:31 am
by gaud
rinkrat19 wrote:send it when you have something compelling to say, possibly not until you need a LOCI.
I like this idea better than mine.

Re: Sending Why X several weeks after complete ap?

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:32 am
by AlanShore
rinkrat19 wrote:
AlanShore wrote:
gaud wrote:Maybe send one with your original app and then an updated one once you attend the event?
good idea. anyone second this?
Not really, no. They don't want two Why X essays sitting in your file. It's not just an infinitely large folder in which they're happy to stuff every piece of paper with every single thought you have about the school as it flits through your brain. They're getting files from literally thousands of applicants and aren't your personal secretary. Don't annoy them.

IF you can write a compelling Why X now without having visited, talking about more than you can just get from the school website, then do it. Save the post-visit thoughts for a LOCI (Letter of Continuing Interest) if you get waitlisted.

Otherwise, don't write one now, and send it later when you have something compelling to say, possibly not until you need a LOCI.
Yeah you're right. I really don't think I can muster up a compelling Why X statement without visiting.. since I am only using website info and google. I'll wait on it. Thanks.