<p>I am just wondering if anyone has any idea if adcoms are updated on pop culture? Like do they keep up (mostly) with movies and music? I want to include a reference to Noah and Allie (from the notebook) in my essay, but I am worried that adcoms will not know or understand who they are? </p>
<p>Has anyone done such a thing before?</p>
<p>Most people know of The Notebook, but not everyone is going to remember the characters names. Also, know your audience - most women love The Notebook, but guys, not so much. Get two male readers and they may tear their eyes out at any reference to The Notebook, remembering two hours of their lives they won’t get back.</p>
<p>In short, you can do it, but be careful how you do it. Have your English teacher and/or GC review it before you submit it, they may love or hate the idea and your execution. Follow their advice, no matter how much you love the idea.</p>
<p>Of course adcoms are up on pop culture. They deal with kids and kid issues year in and year out. And live their own lives, as well. But, as with Harry Potter essays, make sure any reference to outside characters or pop influences is actually relevant to what adcoms need to glean about you. Agree, run it by a trusted adult. </p>
<p>Not an admissions officer of course but never heard of The Notebook </p>
<p>Better off to refer to Shakespeare… 
In general, better off to explain any reference you use that they might not be familiar with. BUT, this takes valuable “real estate” in your essay when you can and probably should be telling (showing!) something more revealing about yourself. So even though that analogy or reference may be rattling around in your head, think hard about whether you need to use it. I also think pop culture analogies can come across as shallow, depending on the reference…</p>
<p>OK - I just looked it up and 2004 isn’t really “pop culture” in the same immediate reference way as “What Does the Fox Say” or something like that which just happened and almost everyone would get (not that I’m recommending using that either). Maybe I’ve been living under a rock but even with the pictures in front of me it wasn’t even remotely familiar. It doesn’t rise to the level of something that is so culturally iconic that people know it even if they didn’t see it or love it either. </p>
<p>@saintfan that’s quite odd because in the US, the Notebook is considered iconic. I, personally, have never seen it, but most people in my area know what it is and the general idea of the movie (love story).</p>
<p>If you refer to those characters I’d make sure you include the name of the book/movie as part of your essay so if they do need to look it up to get the reference, they can easily do so. </p>
<p>Hmmm . . . maybe I have been living under a rock then because neither myself nor my 18 and 20 year old kids have heard of it. None of us are from someplace else. </p>
<p>@saintfan whaaaaatt the notebook is THE movie about love/romance etc. ohmy get them to watch it right now!! lol 
all joking aside, I shall reevaluate my context and perhaps change the character. I just wanted to convey to the school why I think I am a perfect fit for the school. it starts off pretty cliche like “I belong to (school name) like Allie belongs to Noah - perfectly together”. and I continue with all the details about why I love this school so much.</p>
<p>is this too much?</p>
<p>Yes. It is too much. 'Nuff said. One presumes you belong at this school because the academic offerings match what you are interested in, because of some great study abroad program they have that you would like to participate in, because of a professor you met or class you participated in when you toured, or because of some EC you are really excited to join. Dump the movie analogy. Go for facts.</p>
<p>I took a poll and it seems that the movie is mandatory amongst a certain demographic and their mothers may have seen it just by association but it is not widely known outside of that group. Not knowing who will read your essay it seems risky to use something obscure and possibly confusing as an into.</p>
<p>Oh, and I have seen the movie…</p>
<p>Why I love this school so much? Why you think you;re the perfect fit? For the big essay? </p>
<p>Too funny, saintfan. It’s sort of the Wuthering Heights for a younger set. </p>
<p>thank you so much guys for replying! I will be editing my essay to reflect more of my interests! </p>
<p>Ha! @lookingforward - I was thinking more Ice Castles for the younger set ;)</p>