<p>I found myself getting a ton of pm's about my essays, which I cited as my reason (probably a big part) for getting into Yale last week. So I thought I'd share with all yall, too.</p>
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<p>I've tried hard the past few weeks to help friends with their essays for nice schools and I've found it's really hard to articulate, but I'll try.</p>
<p>The highly selective schools are looking for brilliant individuals, and if you don't have amazing awards, like myself, then the essays are crucial. I was stressing out the night before the application was due (Halloween night too - I missed so many parties that night) and trying to write the right essay. I probably wrote half a dozen solid essays in the days up to the deadline, but the night before it was due my friend gave me the best advise, "be ridiculous." I thought of the most ridiculous thing I had done (I wore an unorthodox outfit to a college football game), but then I found how it was a general personification for everything I've ever done, it was 'me' in an action. But when I finally finished the essay I knew that it was as good as I could get, it was me in 498 words. And I told myself, even as I was opening the webpage to online decisions, that no matter what, I had given them the most accurate portrayal of myself so if they didn't want me, I don't want them. If that makes sense... I want a school that wants me.</p>
<p>But as far as actually writing the essay, finding the right topic is the hardest part. Find something that is truly unique to yourself (although I personally believe you should leave out any topics about death, boyfriends/girlfriends, abuse... generally the more sinister and black topics...if you know what I mean). Find a topic that will really stand out in the adcom's mind and differentiate yourself from everybody else. Avoid clich</p>
<p>It sounds extremely hard for me, though, because I don’t even know really who “me” is. I always thought I would figure out when I got to college, and get into a good college first before having adventures and discovering myself. I have hobbies, but I haven’t really indulged in them at all during high school, because I’ve been so focused on GPA and ECs, etc. What’s more, my hobbies are pretty stereotypical, such as reading or watching movies…</p>
<p>That was really interesting. I have a question though…most of my essays are about my ECs and why I like them…not really about them, but more about how all of them kind of blend into what I want to do with my life.
Is that personal enough?</p>
<p>@ibphs01 - I realize that knowing who the real ‘you’ is at such a volatile point in our lives is difficult. But I would bet that everybody has an underlying theme, belief, or expierence that dictates everything that have and do.</p>
<p>@spiralcloud - If your ECs are who you are, and they work to portray a cumulative and comprehensive view of what you do, then that should be perfect. </p>
<p>Again, pm me if you have a questions, or if you want me to read anything. I’m all done with my applications and have little to do over break. :)</p>
<p>Ughh mine are a bit conservative, but I do think they show a positive side of me. I tried to to think of risky things, but the thing is I don’t even see myself as a risky person, so maybe my conservative-ish essay is a reflection of my conservative nature (and by conservative I mean like, not risky not not-liberal, I’m pretty liberal). I’m not sure if that’s the kind of thing these top schools are looking for, but I hope so. Thanks for your post though!</p>
<p>@ ibphs01 - I literally feel EXACTLY the same way.</p>
<p>Looking back on high school, I realize that I stretched myself wayyy too thin and never gave myself a chance to define myself. Sure I got great grades and test scores, won competitions, etc, but because I was so busy overachieving, I became so burnt out that all of my prior hobbies became a hassle, a burden, a waste of time. By 3:00 on friday, I’d be so exhausted that the things I enjoy doing (practicing lacrosse, planning a snowboarding trip for the next day, or arranging a round of golf with friends) became a pain in the butt. The accumulation of stress and overwork killed my identity. My labor has definitely led to many great achievements, though none of them make me especially proud. Because I spent so much time and effort on things that I now realize don’t mean much to me, I find that I don’t really know who I am.</p>
<p>[end college admissions rant/]</p>
<p>Still brainstorming for my Yale essay. As of now, no ideas :[</p>
<p>Thickfreak – think of what it is you enjoy doing, or spend most of your time doing. My supplemental essay was about how much I disliked riding the train, which I had to ride every day, and how I defined myself within the train. The essay doesn’t necessarily have to be about something you are “proud” of or “love”. It just has to be about you. You have a couple of days left I’m assuming… instead of brainstorming try free writing and start over a lot until you get onto something good.</p>
<p>Thanks for your post, cprr12. I was having a bit of an existential crisis a few minutes ago while writing my essays, and your advice helped me re-center myself, if that makes any sense. :)</p>
<p>That example is actually a big help (and a great essay topic IMO). I think that’s going to be what I end up doing, too: writing about something random in my life. Narratives are always easier to write in my opinion (and usually more entertaining). </p>
<p>@ cprr12</p>
<p>It is sad. It’s also the reason that I can’t wait for college =]</p>
<p>Thickfreakness - That’s what I was going to say! Hopefully college we will be able to find what we’re passionate about…until we have to think about grad school… haha</p>
<p>Let me reiterate, I’d be happy to look over any essays or answer questions, just pm me.</p>
<p>cprr12, I couldn’t agree with you more (I got in too) especially on the whole making your 500 words mean so much more. I think that one of the best thing you can do is to include small details about yourself that tell so much more (like the L love thingy). For example, in my essay I described myself as someone “who still loves to flip through the whimsical pages of Shel Silverstein’s ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ and continues to wonder where exactly it does” which I think tells a lot about me without saying too much</p>
<p>I usually err on the side of the ridiculous in my writing, but for my Yale essay, I wrote a narrative about risking my life to rescue a foal from a burning building, and learning that I could cross my own self-imposed limitations. It’s also a little over 500 words, hope they don’t kill me for that.</p>