<p>I'm nearly finished with my applications, but I have two questions that I can't figure out:</p>
<p>(1) I'm listing the extracurricular that is most important to me as fictional writing. For many activities having to do with the arts, the schools request examples (i.e. sending a portfolio with of pictures for a photographer, sending a CD for a musician), but they do not mention anything about writing. I would like to send in a short story that I've written that I think represents my writing, style, and ideas well. I know that they will be reading my writing, but fiction writing and nonfiction writing is very different to me. Do you think this is a good idea, and why or why not? I could also send them a fragment of one of my longer pieces that I like even better (I can't really send the whole thing, because they wouldn't have the time to read it, obviously). </p>
<p>(2) On the Andover Personal Statement, they ask you what you like about yourself. Is this a question where they expect you to sound egotistic or slightly arrogent? Everything I think of sounds quite self-aggrandizing, and I don't want to come off that way.</p>
<p>Hi Pretty - On question (2) it's hard to imagine how you could describe your 'best' characteristics without treading on the ground of self-aggrandizement. I think it's great - and very healthy - to love things about yourself as long as it doesn't involve putting down other people. Keep it focussed on yourself without comparison to others and you won't go wrong. Be your best booster!
And my thought on Q (1) is to call Andover admissions and ASK them. They're real people and I believe very available. You're not supposed to know EVERYthing.</p>
<p>ON that question for andover I joked around a bit before getting to the point. I basiclly talked about my determination and how i know people ahve respect for me by their joining of a current events club i started at my school and by winning student goveremnt president chair. It worked for me I guess... I got in... BUt rly who does want to go to andvoer :)</p>
<p>I just answered the second question (on the form . . . in pen . . . there's no turning back now!), and I think I'm happy with the way it turned out. I wrote about my ability to follow and pursue my own passions. It's a little bit 'fluffy', I think, but it's all right. If anyone has any opinions about the first question, though, please post.</p>