Update/LOI Letter-Too Long?

[HomeNow]

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I am working on my update/LOI letter and I would like to know what length it should be. Is 1.5 to 2 pages too long single-spaced?

 

[lrkoehle]

I am working on my update/LOI letter and I would like to know what length it should be. Is 1.5 to 2 pages too long single-spaced?

I would suggest you keep it to one page. Adcoms don't want a novel.

 

[boaz]

Half a page is enough. You don't want to overburden them.

 

[CapnCrunch]

Geez, that's like another PS.

 

[BBender716]

Wowee. 1 page TOPS.


I mean... wow you must have really liked that school 😉

 

[HomeNow]

well, I just write a lot about myself and told them how much I want to go to their school.

Also, is it wise to mention a potential weakness, such as a low verbal score? I think that is what might have hurt me.

 

[Catalystik]

I agree with a maximum of one page, if you want it to be read.

Do not mention negatives.

 

[bobsmith]

Also, is it wise to mention a potential weakness, such as a low verbal score? I think that is what might have hurt me.

I'd leave it out. Especially since (a) you don't know for sure if that's what hurt you, (b) you want to concentrate on your positives in this letter (i.e., let them find a reason to not take you -- don't do it for them), and (c) it's hard to talk about low scores without making it seem like you're making excuses.

 

[HomeNow]

The problem is that I spoke with an admissions officer at one of my schools that I applied to and she said that my verbal might have hurt me?
Should I only mention it for that school?

 

[boaz]

well, I just write a lot about myself and told them how much I want to go to their school.

Also, is it wise to mention a potential weakness, such as a low verbal score? I think that is what might have hurt me.

Nah, that's not going to make a difference anymore. The purpose of the Letter of Infatuation is to simply tell them how much, and why, you are in love with their school.

 

[Catalystik]

Should I only mention it for that school?

What would you say that would make a low verbal score less of a liability? (How low was it?)

 

[HomeNow]

Verbal score=8.

 

[Catalystik]

I thought you might be talking about a 5 or 6, LOL. Did you look at an MSAR and apply only to schools with a bottom 10th percentile for VS of 8 or lower? Schools with a 9 or 10 are less likely to consider you. If English was your second language, that would already be clear from your Primary application. Again, I don't think there's anything you could say that wouldn't just be calling attention to a negative (for that school).

 

[HomeNow]

thanks everyone for your input. Now back to writing these letters!!

 

[sustentacular]

Verbal score=8.

That doesn't seem that bad. Its within the 10-90 percentile for a lot of schools in the MSAR.

 

[meliora27]

Are you sending this LOI to a school that has waitlisted you or to a school you haven't even heard back from yet?

 

[HomeNow]

well, right now I am sending these letters to schools that have either put me on hold pre-interview or schools that I haven't heard back from. Once I finish sending letters to those schools, then I will start sending letters that have wait-listed post-interview. What are your suggestions?