<p>I'm applying early decision to NYU, and though I feel pretty confident about my Common App essay, I continue to struggle with the 500 character NYU supplements. Am I supposed to write from the heart or just answer the question? Should I put my voice in it or be straightforward? And how important are these four sentence answers anyway?</p>
<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I’m trying to achieve a balance of both. While I do want to be creative and personal with my responses, at the same time, I know the most important thing is to actually answer the question. So, both!</p>
<p>In terms of the importance of the supplement… if it wasn’t important, it wouldn’t be included. This is your chance to show NYU your voice.</p>
<p>Those supplements were brutal for me, but I think I finally have answers I’m satisfied with. It’s hard to fit in both your own voice and an answer to the question in 500 characters, hell it’s hard with 500 words, but again if you can do that then I think it shows a level of sophistication in your thought process that NYU wants in their students. Overall I would slightly prioritize voice because you have so few chances to do that, but make sure to answer the questions.</p>
<p>Hi, I’m chiming in because I read sonny’s short answers that probably contributed to his getting the MLK Scholarship. He apparently only worked an hour or so on the short answers. </p>
<p>He made verses to a poem that described a physical attribute of his along with his passion for his chosen field (it really showed a lot of active words and intent/ passion in a short poem). His heart definitely came through, as well as his voice. The poem showed his creativity and another short answer showed his grasp of a part of American history that not many High School students know about. All done in short lines, very much to the point. </p>
<p>At one point, his excitement for his chosen work spilled over so much, the grammar was a little off (I read it after the application had been submitted). However, he was obviously not penalized for that. In fact, it probably came through as very genuine passion and desire to do good.</p>
<p>I did not fully describe my son’s poem well. He managed, with action words, to infuse it with palpable energy and zest for his chosen work in life.</p>
<p>Come to think of it, that really is my son in real life. He does not take a passive role. The poem really captured his true personality. I could never have done such a superb job of using minimal but essential and effective words to describe myself.</p>
<p>I actually didn’t have space to be flowery, so I said straight up what I liked about my major and the school. Only the third one about bringing someone to a place special to you gives freedom for expression, in my opinion.</p>
<p>AudreyH,</p>
<p>It sounds like the supplement questions are different this year. A poem was required as one of the supplement questions for the entering class of 2010.</p>
<p>So, you are right, no need to write a poem (or be flowery as you put it) if it is not required. But the point is bring in your uniqueness, passion, enthusiasm and personality where possible, especially in a creative manner.</p>