PrincipalV

Don't send if they don't ask for it? It seems as if it can help the admissions dept. judge how the english teacher grades, et al. Certain schools do not ask for this, but is it worth it sending it in anyway?

My MO regarding this was "Thicker the envelope, thicker the student." Any tips appreciated, thanks!

Benley

I think most schools will appreciate a graded essay. Send it in if you have one. Make you app thinner by excluding all those award certificates (listing them out on your app would be enough) or the 5th/6th rec letters.

PrincipalV

Thanks, I'll send one in...

salingergirl

I would call the school first and ask, just to make sure that you don't give a bad impression of not being able to follow directions. I know that Exeter and Taft don't require a required, but now after reading your post I'm thinking of sending one in...

RhythmMeleon

i brought two projects and an essay to my interview at an nyc prep school to make the interview more interesting..ya know, a science project that you're currently working would be nice

creative1

There is really no need to send in extra stuff. If the schools wanted it and thought it would be helpful, they would have asked. These schools have been in existence for 100+ years and have over a 1000 applicants per year. They know what they need to make a decision. Any extra info is unlikely to be placed in your folder - photos, awards, unasked for essays - in the best scenario. In the worst scenario, it's going to look like you can't follow directions. Put yourself in the shoes of the admissions staff. If you had 1,000-2,000 applications, would you want all this stuff you didn't ask for??
Many kids have gone through the process - mine included - and have received acceptances without the "extras". IMHO.

neatoburrito

Two of the schools my son is applying to do not require graded papers. We will not send them. I have the same line of thinking as creative1, if they wanted it, they would ask for it. One of them simply said, "It's not required." and the other said, "We don't need it. We look at ssat essay and application essays."

Why make more work for the people who you want to like you?

Rad-in-Plaid96

what about samples of your artwork on a cd/slideshow? do you think that would be fine?

Benley

Most of the schools we applied to did ask for a graded essay so we just made copies and send in one to all the schools including a couple that didn't ask for it. While I don't think it would have a negative effect whatsoever, it probably woulnt help much either if they dont ask for it because that would be unfair for those that follow directions and don't send in one.