<p>That's wierd that you guess Chicago, since it's in the Columbia thread they were wondering what school is most like CU and everyone says chicago. It was for Duke and CU. I'm not sure whether I'll use it or not for UNC-CH for the long essay. If I do, I'll be sure to replace the word in question.</p>
<p>"As for sounding like yourself and letting your personality shine thru, blah, blah -- I don't buy it. Most kids speech consists of more f*** and s*** than damns"
Sorry to disappoint you, but it was my natural voice. That was just the word I used when I was writing the first draft by hand, and it's not because I was censoring myself or because it is easier and shorter (which isn't true anyway).<br>
Check back by the beginning of April and bring up this thread, I'll be sure to see it and let you all know how I did.</p>
<p>If the rest of your app is good, I'll bet Columbia will want you. Like Chicago, they do want scholars. UNC is a little more formal; put some thought into what you send them.</p>
<p>No, 'dang' wouldn't work at all for Columbia.</p>
<p>For the rest of you reading this and wondering how to handle this situation:</p>
<p>"... and swore quietly to myself." (in the library)</p>
<p>" ... cursed the clock as the library closed."</p>
<p>mekrob's specific use of "damn" is better (IMO) in a general literary sense. But, as has been beaten to death in this thread, it's quite risky in this specific case, and all the stodgy adults have advised against it.</p>
<p>i dont think damn will matter. i am reading this book ADMISSIONS CONFIDENTIAL, where the author is an ex duke admissionsions offer. anyways in one chapter she talked about college essays that were unique and stepped outside of the box. One kid who apllied, got in, and left a lasting note with the admissions officers- wrote his essay about some book he was reading and the plot was about a man who was being cheated on. He related the book back to his real life for his girlfriend was cheating on him, with his best friend, and the quote from the essay was "giving my best friend bl**jobs".</p>
<p>the officer said the admissions committee was shcoked but loved the fact that he was not afriad to step out of the box, and from there on he was refered to as the bl*wjob kid.</p>
<p>Calculated risk, kuam, and you have to be a good writer to get away with it. Although if they were refering to him by that nickname I doubt they were all that shocked.</p>
<p>Yep. I read that book, and found that pretty funny. But I don't think they'll go "hey, its the 'damn' kid!!! auto admit!", like with that kid. But yeah, maybe they are looking for kids who aren't too worried about letting a little curse word slip....</p>
<p>Ahh, mekrob, your essay is spectacular, I bet. After all, you are applying to Duke and CU. I support your usage of the word 'damn' and would have done the same given the context. If I were repressed like that and was then kicked out of my only haven, I would ATLEAST say 'Damn', and it adds a strength and power to your essay. It amplifies the desperation you feel. Good job.</p>