Hi all! Just wanted some advice on my essay. For a supplement, I wanted to write about being cynical - of how as you grow up you become less ignorant of issues in the world and become more cynical as a person. However, I would make a distinction between being cynical versus being jaded, and that rather than cynicism being a weakness it is in fact a strength. I’ll write about how being cynical has helped me navigate and have a positive impact on my life.
I’m not sure how cynicism can be a positive, but it sounds like an interesting essay idea.
Do you think colleges are looking to bring more cynical students onto their canpuses? I don’t…
According to Webster’s:
Definition of cynical
1 : having or showing the attitude or temper of a cynic: such as
a : contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives
b : based on or reflecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest
Definition of a cynic:
a faultfinding captious critic; especially : one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest
It’s neither a quality you would want to have or to see in others nor is it positive trait you want to put forth when presenting yourself in context of college admissions.
Perhaps the word you really want is “skeptical.” But I would not write about that either.
WeLoveLyman “I’m not sure how cynicism can be a positive, but it sounds like an interesting essay idea”.
Their you go being skeptical but not cynical…
Colleges do like critical thinking, but I wouldn’t write about it.
Satire is a dangerous writing style as some AOs won’t get it and toss your app.
Maybe if you focused on being a “realist” as opposed to an “optimist”, it might make more sense. Frankly it’s a slippery slope for an application essay. But if you want to get their attention, and think any kind of attention is good, then go for it.
I second the “realism” idea if you’re wanting to go with it - maybe find some fancier words to describe what you’re wanting to convey.
Ultimately, however, your essay should make you sound intelligent, insightful, and overall a pleasant person. I would recommend not primarily characterizing yourself by words with negative connotations ; and though revealing some flaws in your character is a clever and humanizing move, you really don’t want to make yourself sound like a bad person overall.
I, personally, think that this is an interesting idea and can be effective if written skillfully and constructed carefully. The admissions team may find it endearing and witty. On the other hand, it could also end up making you sound negative and distrustful of others - and kind of smug about it, too.
I advise you be very careful if you decide to go with the idea.
This is the best of you? If I were interviewing people for a job I would’t choose the person who is cynical no matter how much analysis they could give to the topic. Do you think selecting students for college would be any different?
I agree…sounds smug. Not a good quality.
If you have to ask whether it’s “too edgy” then the odds are that it is.
To reiterate what others have said, the point behind this essay is to get the reader to want to meet you, to offer you a spot on his campus because you’ll be a positive addition.
I don’t think this essay will serve that purpose.
I don’t see how becoming cynical can be turned into a positive trait. If I were an adcom, I’d be more interested in how your growth has impacted the lives of others.
I don’t know what colleges we’re talking about, but the essay isn’t meant to be some random reflection on yourself. The more competitive the college targets, the more you want to show traits they want in their class. While skeptical could be interesting, if done well, I think it would be too hard for a 17 year old to know how to balance.
At that age, many kids think just questioning is the point. And it can be. But this is for a college app. Why not just find some nice tale where you took on some challenge (even small) and, as ^ austin says, you realized, grew, turned around, and then did some good for others?
It doesn’t matter if the topic has been used before. Certain themes are common becuase they do work.
Is this the student or the parent?
I agree with everyone else. I wouldn’t do it. Being cynical but not too much as to be jaded is a slippery slope for a college essay. It sounds risky under the best of angles
Avoid using the terms “cynicism” & “less ignorant” & “become more cynical” as they are too negative.
Try to focus your essay on a more positive theme such as “Why experience is the best teacher” or " How real life experiences give relevance & meaning to classroom teachings".
I keep re-reading your statement. I’m hoping that “cynical” isn’t the word you want.
The more experiences we have meeting new people and cultures the more “open-minded” we should become. Now if the only experiences you have are negative–then you may become cynical which cuts you off from realizing that there is good out there in the world.
If all your experiences are good ones, then perhaps you don’t realize how much other people have to struggle and experiencing some of those hardships make you more open-minded to other viewpoints.