<p>should your essay be "different" from the rest of your application?</p>
<p>I'm sending in an art portfolio as part of my ECs (because I've been doing it for yeeeears), but then I also wrote one essay on painting... and another on my job (kind of a humorous essay, "slice of life" ish, but doesn't really "tell" anything about me) </p>
<p>I consulted with my AP Eng teacher, and he said to go with the job essay as opposed to the painting (which I feel is better written, but somewhat vague and more philosophical than the other?) </p>
<p>what do you think? should the essay be DIFFERENT from the interests of the rest of your app to make you seem more well-rounded or geared towards the same direction as the rest of your app, making you more "focused"?</p>
<p>IANAAP (I am not an admissions professional)</p>
<p>I've read two books on admissions and chatted with a half-dozen admissions officers. The Revealed Wisdom is to write something bright, interesting, clean and thoughtful that reveals what wonderful character you have. Novelty for the sake of novelty won't get you anywhere, and might get you labelled "too cute to take seriously." You don't want to be a teddy bear applicant. So, send the painting if you want, but make sure it's attached to a solid, interesting essay.</p>
<p>I will now wait for someone who actually does this for a living to chime in...</p>
<p>IMO the essay should present the strengths that you wish to get across to colleges. The topic of the essay is far less important than what the essay reveals about you.</p>
<p>Are you in fact more "focused" or more "well-rounded"? The essay you choose should IMO reflect what you in fact are. When your essay is honest to yourself, your essay is more likely to be convincing, more likely to speak in your own unique voice.</p>
<p>Is "focus" (or "well-rounded") even one of the most important few things about you? </p>
<p>IMO do not play the game of trying to discern what the AdCom wants to hear. That is IMO the path to an insincere and unconvincing essay. </p>
<p>What the AdCom really wants to hear is your own, unique, genuine voice. </p>
<p>Here is good advice from UVa about college essays:</p>