<p>I understand that most applications have an essay to write on a topic of your choice or something answering a broad question like "Discuss an issue of local concern..." We've read a couple of the recommended essay books (Harry Bauld, etc.) so I think my D has a handle on the essay. But what about all the little short answer type personal statements or questions. NYU has four of them for example. Are these supposed to be written in the same informal style as the BIG college essay, using a personal vignette style, or are they pretty straight forward, answer the question type essays. Sorry if this question is stupid--we just haven't been through this process before and want to make sure she does everything she can to make her application a good one! Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>I don't think there's one correct way to do them and it's a matter of what fits the question being answered and the point you're trying to convey. I used different styles in answering the short answers when I applied two years ago. One school (I think Berkeley) asked about what I could contribute to campus - I wrote my answer as a conversation between me and my (future) roommate at Berkeley; a couple of schools asked about my favorite class - I wrote a short letter to the teacher that taught the class; I think Caltech asked about a non-math/science activity that I participated in - I answered by writing a short narrative taking place at a Model UN conference. Some of the questions (like "What are you future educational goals?") I answered straight forward, saying I want to major in X and go to graduate school to study Y and then get a job doing Z. </p>
<p>Hope that helps!</p>