<p>Most college essays that I've read have almost always used gigantic words and sounded really philosophical and stuff. But my essays are rather simple. And my dad keeps telling me to rewrite everything and write like everybody else. I really don't want to, 'cause writing simply is my thing and I thought, ultimately, my goal is to show the admissions officers who I AM, not what I think they want me to be like. Anyway, my question is, is it necessary to use big words and be eloquent or is it fine to sound more simple? Would writing the way I did work against me?</p>
<p>(Sorry if these ideas seem disjointed, I'm really busy. Christmas Eve and all that.)</p>
<p>I think you should write in your own style. The results will guide you to what’s next.</p>
<p>Just sharp and crisp to the point. no need for big words</p>
<p>Sometimes I read essays that people post here. The ones that really try to use big words and sound eloquent usually make a mess of it, because the writers are not fully in control of the style they are using. Write in a style that comes naturally. If you feel a need to improve your style, do so gradually, over a period of several years.</p>
<p>If you have a broad vocabulary, use varied and intricate language. If you speak simply, write simply. Basically, let the level of eloquence in your writing reflect that of your normal speech; adcoms want to get a sense of YOUR personality, not a fabricated version you think they would like to see.</p>
<p>Thebeatlestoday could not be any more correct! Be yourself in the essay! Trust me; there’s nothing worse than writing in a way where you don’t feel like you’re in control. If it doesn’t sound like you, don’t write it! You’re better off writing a plain, conversational essay that speaks to the reader instead of one that’s eloquent, but pretentious and cocky and that doesn’t suit your personality. Just remember, as a writer, intelligence doesn’t come in the words you write, but how you use them to connect with your audience. Just a thought.</p>
<p>“Big vocabulary” and “super eloquent” are hardly synonyms! I know, from years of teaching high-school English, that many teenagers feel the need to make their writing sound as if they’ve swallowed a thesaurus. It doesn’t make them sound sophisticated; it makes them sound like poseurs. When you use words you’re not comfortable and familiar with, you risk using them wrong, and sounding like an idiot. Use words you’re comfortable with.</p>
<p>This is more or less the advice that you’re getting from the others, of course. It’s also more or less the advice given by a friend (and former student) of mine who used to work in admissions at a top 50 university. At the end of information sessions, she used to give advice about the essay: “Be who you are. If you’re funny, be funny. And if you’re not, please don’t try!” Same thing applies to vocabulary. If you’re sesquipedalian, be sesquipedalian, but if you’re not…</p>
<p>So, quite unanimously, if you’re pretending to write like you know the thesaurus backwards, forward, inside, and out, we implore you to not. Asking for another person’s opinion and taking their advice is one thing; but writing in a style that isn’t your own is another.</p>