Can your application essay be somewhat of a research paper?

A school I’m applying says “What is one thing you’d univent and why?”
I decided high heels should be uninvented, so i went online and literally read every website about the cons of highheels. i used statistics and so forth. Is this okay in an applicant essay for boarding school (or college)

I think you are taking it too far. But others may feel differently

@ tacoluvz - no, you should not be sending in a research style answer. Each applicant has a short time to make an impression on the admissions staff- Don’t bore them! A research paper on the cons of high heels might show how well you can research or write but nothing about you! Having some stats is fine- but make sure you are focusing on why YOU find high heels unnecessary- the essay needs to be about you
( your morals, personality, beliefs)- make the most of each question to show the admissions who you are and why they should want you on their campus. Your grades/ssat/teacher recommendations should already speak to your readiness academically.

I agree with @Center and @copperboom

The essay shouldn’t be about statistics but about you. How do YOU feel about them. The admissions offices don’t want to know about the percentage of women who get injured in high heels but about your take on it. Best of luck!

I think it could work if it showed something about you and the way you feel about them. If you were all about the success of women and possibly about what a high heel shoe represents professionally, socially, etc. it could be a nice piece. Not too research focused but with a touch thrown in there.

This is a good piece: http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/06/why-wear-high-heels/

If gender issues are important to you this could be a great essay. IF you’ve been involved with an EC surrounding this area you have the potential for a great topic IMHO.

I’ve considered research in my essays, but it’s never seemed very appropriate. Essays are about you! These topics are just trying to get a taste of your thinking/ mindset, so do your best with your knowledge now.