"Surprise" supplemental essays

[Anonymous]

Seems like a tactic to boost applications. Ie, don't tell students upfront when they are deciding which applications they have time for, wait until the app has already been submitted and can be counted for inflating the denominator in admit rate calculations. Probably can only be counted in this manner if these supplements are labeled optional (otherwise they would have to adjust the denominator lower as incomplete applications aren't supposed to count when required info is missing). Personally, I find it a bit manipulative. We prefer more transparent colleges.

[Anonymous]

How long do they have to submit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually this was an email. Definitely had some surprised in the portal though. There are some schools that want you to enter test scores an extra time too, seemingly just to make things difficult.

Thank you!

What school did your child have surprises in the portal? So far, I've heard of:

Grinnell
Denison
Case

doing the surprise essays. I just want to prep my kid to be on the lookout/check their portals more frequently after she submits her applications.

Wow---case should just add a "why case" supplemental initially. This is ridiculous they are adding items after you submit.

One of many games they play. Enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually this was an email. Definitely had some surprised in the portal though. There are some schools that want you to enter test scores an extra time too, seemingly just to make things difficult.

Thank you!

What school did your child have surprises in the portal? So far, I've heard of:

Grinnell
Denison
Case

doing the surprise essays. I just want to prep my kid to be on the lookout/check their portals more frequently after she submits her applications.

att

I have never heard this of Case. My DS attends and throughout different circles have never heard of a surprise CWRU essay.

My kid applied 2 years ago and there was no suprise supplemental, only a short 'why I want to stay on the waitlist' essay, but that is different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find the idea kind of brilliant. Kids don’t have time to workshop the essay with a paid consultant, etc.

what about time management? Kids do not have unlimited time. Most seniors are in a crunch with college applications, scholarship applications, intensive schedule of Honors/AP courses and all their ECs/Sports. Not to mention college visits. How the hell are they supposed to crank out more essays if they simply don't have the time? Too much pressure and it is not necessary

Oh dear. You seem a bit dramatic. As the parent of a senior applying to an Ivy League school next week, I can assure you that senior year is much easier than junior year.

And who exactly is making all these college visits? Why would you go to a school after you applied?

[Anonymous]

“Why I want to stay on the waitlist” is not a surprise supplemental, IMO. Neither is a required essay for an honors college.

[Anonymous]

Forces the kids to prioritize. If the kid applied to 10-15 schools a surprise essay would be a good way to weed them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually this was an email. Definitely had some surprised in the portal though. There are some schools that want you to enter test scores an extra time too, seemingly just to make things difficult.

Thank you!

What school did your child have surprises in the portal? So far, I've heard of:

Grinnell
Denison
Case

doing the surprise essays. I just want to prep my kid to be on the lookout/check their portals more frequently after she submits her applications.

Wow---case should just add a "why case" supplemental initially. This is ridiculous they are adding items after you submit.

One of many games they play. Enjoy.

Case does not add more items after you submit other than the waitlist essay. And the interview was never required and has been removed as an option this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What fresh hell is this.

+1. I never heard of this with my class of 2022 kid. This is absolutely ridiculous if true.

[Anonymous]

Parents are complaining because THEY are the ones writing the essays for their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents are complaining because THEY are the ones writing the essays for their kids.

every accusation is a confession

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents are complaining because THEY are the ones writing the essays for their kids.

every accusation is a confession

The truth hurts?

[Anonymous]

Hamilton, last year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents are complaining because THEY are the ones writing the essays for their kids.

every accusation is a confession

I don’t even know what my kids essays are about. I do know that she is so tired that I’m worried about her health. Was really looking forward to a break after these are in. Plus I’ve told her she is required to take a family vacation with us over thanksgiving. She’s gonna totally flip if she has more essays to write.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find the idea kind of brilliant. Kids don’t have time to workshop the essay with a paid consultant, etc.

How long do they have for the extra essays?
I agree that there is some logic to it, but I do remember mailing (!!) my applications off right before a trip, like hitting the post office on the way to the bus station. What if kids were doing something similar?