<p>I have two essays I'm considering using for the Princeton supplement. One is a pretty standard essay, generic format and nothing fancy with the content. That's not to say it's dull or cliche, but it's just pretty standard. The other is rather unusual, both in terms of content and style; it's very poetic. I like it a lot, but I just don't know how it would resonate with someone else. Is it better to go with the safer bet, or should I consider doing something a little more atypical given how many essays the admissions officers have to read?</p>
<p>Obviously, you want your essay to stand out. Just make sure it’s not too poetic/artsy that the adcoms will have a difficult time discerning the message. If your quirky essay is better, why not use it?</p>
<p>It’s usually better to stand out
Just be careful that your poetic essay still says something… if it’s pure fluff, that’s not going to help you haha 
Maybe you should give both essays to your parents or a CCer already at Princeton to read, and ask them which one is better?</p>
<p>I’ve had my parents and a couple friends read them. The problem is that different people have picked different essays, depending on their personality. Analytic people tend to like the more ordinary essay and found the other one kind of strange; artistically inclined people tend to like the poetic one better; one of my friends absolutely LOVED it. So I dunno what to do.</p>
<p>I’d say do the poetic one as long as it has plenty of substance and gives insight into who you are.</p>
<p>If you feel like your poetic one is better then you should probably risk it. Being generic rarely ever helps, it doesn’t make you stand out. Use what makes you stand out.</p>
<p>uhm, i agree with most of other posters. my advice would be to take the one that resembles your personality better, and that fits in better with the rest of your application. also, i would have a look at the common app essay. is this one already pretty analytic?? does it show another side of yourself, or does it draw a completely different picture of you as a person? i would pick the one that seems to complete the picture that the rest of your app is drawing of you. however, if you feel that the other essay, or any other parts of your app show that you can be analytic and correct, then maybe you want to show them your creative, artistic side, which can be VERY helpful, if it is true of course. i think you just want to show them who you truly are. as long as you don´t try to appear different than what you are, i think you´ll be ifne.
good luck!</p>
<p>as long as the poetic one isn’t too difficult to understand quickly it should be fine</p>
<p>I would go with risky, hands down.</p>
<p>My teacher constantly reminds me to make my essay memorable. Make it personal, most of all. Agreed with TheAscendancy though, don’t make it so poetic that only you understand it.</p>
<p>I submitted only “generic” essays in terms of format. They were, however, well-written, introspective, and original in topic. </p>
<p>So, pick whichever one is better-written and reveals the most about you.</p>
<p>I think it depends on the rest of your application. If you are a very strong candidate, you can probably play it safe. If the rest of your app is fairly typical for P, then maybe you should go the more risky route.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice.</p>
<p>My test scores should make me competitive (2400 SAT I & II), but I know I’ll need something besides that. My ECs are fairly typical, so I think the essay could be a deciding factor.</p>
<p>Would any current Princeton students be willing to take a look at both essays?</p>
<p>In that case, use the risky one - your test scores and ECs if they’re “typical” should already show that you’re a great student, so you don’t need an essay to reinforce that; the point of your essay should be to show that you’re not a robot.</p>
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<p>But that doesn’t mean an essay that is in typical format can’t work. If it is well-written and interesting, it can be in the standard format. </p>
<p>Congrats on the SAT BTW – a fellow 4800-scorer here. I would be willing to take a look.</p>
<p>That’s true, but even the most well-written essay, if it’s “standard” is going to say something different, and imply a different person, than a poetic essay. Just my opinion though, I don’t actually know anything ahahah.</p>
<p>CanaryK, I have never heard an adcom state that his favorite essay was written unconventionally. In act, I have never heard essay format mentioned at all. Most admiration seems to be directed toward the subject chosen and how the applicants develop it as a reflection on themselves.</p>
<p>Format as in, is the essay written in stanza form? Because when I read “poetic”, I didn’t think of the use of poem-style formatting, I thought a more creatively themed essay.
But I get your point, I just also think that it’s difficult to choose a good subject that is “standard” without repeating other aspects of your application, and without being a subject that the last 10 applicants all dealt with as well. Again, just my opinion!</p>
<p>I meant unconventional as in the essay is some sort of narrative, out of chronological order, a letter or some format other than a straight essay, etc.</p>
<p>Use the better essay, but make sure your essay works and that it’s not immature as well as risky.</p>
<p>Trying to stand out might get annoying. My Stanford essays were pretty “risky” and it was one of two schools I got rejected by. My Princeton/Harvard essays were pretty conventional and I got acceptances…</p>
<p>I wouldn’t mind giving them a read. We’re on winter break right now, so I have some free time. :P</p>