<p>Okay. After answering most of the essay prompts and finishing my essays, I've realized: I have 3 essays that are centered around research/science-y activities, while one is about a science-y hobby. SIGHS. I didn't exactly intend it to be that way, but I wrote... and that's how it turned out. The thing is, art is still a part of me, too-- I plan on sending in a portfolio. The only thing I have remaining are a bunch of short (~50 word) responses. Should I devote the majority of that to visual arts, to emphasize my arts thing, or would that still not be enough? (as in.. I should scrap one of the science essays and write about art instead?)</p>
<p>Dunno if this helps, but here's my take...</p>
<p>If it's close to you, I hate to say it, but you may need to scrap. An extreme example--I applied to Oxford, and totally (very risky) disregarded the instruction to submit 2 science papers, instead changing one for an essay in the arts that I felt very close to. Took a while, but I got the good word.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the portfolio may speak volumes on its own. I feel, though, that if you are eclectic in your interests, adcoms will appreciate seeing that vibrancy in your responses across the board. You don't want to make it seem like you're cramming stuff in at the end. If they're good at anything, adcoms can tell this sort of thing.</p>
<p>Arts, "culture" etc. never hurts---especially coming from someone into hardcore science. Great combination.</p>