Giant Screw Up - Need Your Suggestions

[linden]

What should I do ?

While reviewing some of the documents I sent out with an application, I realized that I made a major mistake.

Should I call or email the school's admissions representative and explain? Or, should I let it drop?

Thanks for taking the time to read this an offer me your suggestions.

Linden

[ridgey]

I don't think it'll be a big deal. If an admin assistant or someone notices that you have two, the fact that one is more recent and came with a letter will tell them which one you want to keep. At this stage in departmental crazyness, I wouldn't contact them for anything that wasn't REALLY urgent and important.

[Astaroth]

Don't panic, this is not a giant screw up. Much worse things could happen, this is very minor. In any case, as far as i know admissions people aren't allowed to touch material that is already part of an application, because you have signed a declaration on them and they don't have the authority to override that. They can append things to an existing application, but not edit already existing parts of it. So, I think the situation you are in is what would have happened anyway. If you have dated your newer document then perhaps the admissions committee will realise that it's the newer one and ignore the earlier one. Otherwise, worst case scenario is they read the old essay, then wonder why you went to 3 universities as an undergrad, and notice that there is a newer version that has the answer.

That is IF they read either essay at all... remember this is an optional essay. They may well make an admissions decision before they get anywhere near it.

[linden]

Ridgey and Astaroth:

Thank you for adding your (much-needed) perspective into this issue. It is hard to think straight right now about anything related to grad school applications. Thanks for taking the time to help me calm down.

Linden