If they are reading 500 new essays and decisioning off of these, god bless them. It would also mean another internal round of comparisons in this short window. I just don’t buy it. As a quick glance and “ok they are serious”. That I can see. And if you all think another last minute essay is probative as to a students quality as an applicant, we politely disagree.
My larger point is the vast majority of students fighting to get in, is reflective IMHO, of something other than CMUs unique proposition of value. And as parents maybe we are playing a part in this collegiate arms race.