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Submitting too many addendums
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 3:31 am
by gin
Is there such a thing as submitting too many statements? I'm not talking about 40
One of my schools asks for the PS and an optional Why x
Another asks for the PS and an optional DS
I'm also submitting to all of them a GPA addendum (sort of)
What I was wondering is if sending both schools the DS and a Why X be too much? (both would get PS, DS, Why X and the Addendum)
Re: Submitting too many addendums
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 4:02 am
by mst
Make the decision on whether your pieces are all worthwhile and how you would feel if you had your file. Penn for example specifically states your allowed to submit both a diversity and Why Penn, but I think others that don't specifically request either the Why X or the Diversity Statement in the application and only specifically request the PS will be less receptive to two additional essays that are not requested (where as they would probably be receptive to one additional essay).
As for the grade addendum, it should be short and concise to the point that it's just a brief sentence or two at the end of your application and should not lead your reviewer to say "Jesus Christ does this thing never end?". If for some reason it's at the length that you think it looks like another essay, shorten it down or reconsider sending it if it's not absolutely necessary.
Ultimately, the decision to send all 3 rests on your judgement (and the particular school). Generally, a committee will see value in your ability to be concise, and will not look favorably upon bloated applications. With a school like Penn that specifically asks for 2 optional essays, submitting all three would be fine. For a school that doesn't even mention optional essays or addenda in the primary application, but through interviews has admitted that they accept Why x's or Diversity Essays, I would be hesitant to attach more than 1 optional essay and the GPA addendum. Besides, if you don't get in, you always have the 3rd available for Waitlist attachments!
Re: Submitting too many addendums
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 4:13 am
by gin
On one of them I'm pretty sure I getting rejected but I'm making sure I have everything to try to avoid that fate. I'm not really worried about my addendum since it's less than half a page. I hadn't thought about what I would send if I got wait-listed so I'm probably save some of the stuff. Thanks
Re: Submitting too many addendums
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 4:17 am
by mst
Which school is it if I ask? I can at least offer my opinion, as helpful as that can be. And for waitlist stuff, usually updated grades, an additional letter, etc. can be helpful as well. Just saying.
Re: Submitting too many addendums
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 12:58 pm
by gin
LSAT 154 GPA 3.1
Boston U is going to be an automatic rejection but they sent me a fee waiver so I'm filling it up in case lightning strikes
PennState will hopefully be WL and then I'll get accepted
I'm not awfully optimistic but that's what the GPA addendum is for
I was thinking of also sending a LSAT addendum but I feel it might sound a little whinny and they might not want to accept someone who needs both a GPA and LSAT addendum
Re: Submitting too many addendums
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 1:04 pm
by northwood
i think you will be rejected from penn state due to your lsat and gpa
Re: Submitting too many addendums
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 2:19 pm
by gin
I guess I forgot to mention I'm an URM, but as I said I'm not too optimistic.
I know I have good LoRs which means it might depend on how they take the addendum