Should I include a newspaper article in my app?

[ilcapo235]

<p>This is an example of one such article that details what I do as an intern...but it doesn't mention me by name (of course the congressman gets all the praise) - so would they wonder why I was sending something that didn't even mention me specifically?</p>

<p>NEWSDAY. SEPTEMBER 28, 2004.
$1.3M in retroactive benefits for veterans</p>

<p>After he joined the Army and completed basic training early in 1973, Nat Willing was about to head to Vietnam when he had a motorcycle accident that changed his life.</p>

<p>Only 17, he suffered leg injuries that required eight months' hospitalization. He served another year on limited duty, then retired with an honorable discharge in 1975 and received a 20 percent disability payment of $55 per month...</p>

<p>With congressional aides pressing, VA staffers produced the file. Last month, the agency upgraded Rogalski's disability status to 60 percent ($817 per month) and sent him a check for $11,000 in retroactive benefits.</p>

[ilcapo235]

<p>Or I could include a link, if that would be better: <a href="http://www.house.gov/israel/news/092104-veterans.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.house.gov/israel/news/092104-veterans.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

[aparent5]

<p>Ilcapo, I think the information would be far more effectively presented if you used the essay or the optional essay to talk very specifically about the things you do as an intern. If you can get the congressman to write a rec that will detail your accomplishments in his office, that would also be great. :)</p>

[ilcapo235]

<p>I am writing the essay, getting a rec - just thought I might slip it in with the essay/rec stuff</p>

[bettina]

<p>There is no mention of you or even of specific staffers so there is no reason to put this in (even if it had your name, I don't see it.) You really don't want to add a bunch of extra stuff. If they only have 20 minutes or so to read your package, it is better if they focus on your app.</p>

[aparent5]

<p>Did you specifically help Nat Willing? If so, bring a copy of the article along to your alumni interview, explain what you did, and leave him/her the article when you leave. </p>

<p>If you are applying online, you can certainly include a link, as long as you warn them not to expect to see your name! However, I haven't read your essay but think the best thing you can do is to make sure it conveys the full drama of this story.</p>

[marite]

<p>This is the essay about Ilcapo's internship which actually begins with an unnamed veteran's phone call to thank him for his help. I concur with Aparent. You want to use a light touch there. Ordinarily, an essay should not include links, but I think it should be okay to mention the link as well as the fact that, as an intern, you are not named in the article (have you ever seen the names of congressional staff in articles about pieces of legislation? We know, however, that they play very important roles).</p>