<p>I wanted to talk about how I'm a girl going into engineering. I wanted to talk about how when I was little I was always "one of the boys" because I was a tomboy, shopped in the boys section, played all boys sports, etc. And now I find myself in the same position: only girl in my AP physics classes (both NM and EM), only one out of my friends who enjoys studying math/science, etc. and how this will likely be what I'm expecting at whichever engineering school I go to. I realize this may be a little stupid or weird but if anyone has any advice about if i should write it and how I could focus/develop on it that would be great!</p>
<p>OR</p>
<p>I could talk about how my physics teacher influenced me... I'll be happy to elaborate if I realize the first essay topic is not going to work.</p>
<p>Those are good things you could write about. You could talk about things like how you break the stereotype and what distinguishes you from the others. </p>
<p>It’s a good start though. What I recommend doing is writing all your thoughts down on a piece first and then when you find a topic, the thoughts will come out naturally. </p>
<p>Yeah, that definitely helps! Just wanted to know that I’m on the right track and that essay could possibly turn into something good hopefully! Could this be a great essay or just normal? Of course it depends on how I write it… Any more opinions anyone?</p>
<p>Try writing it in scenes…the more concrete and storylike you can get it, the better.</p>
<p>ie, was there a moment when you first realized you were the only girl doing something and it surprised you? Have you occaisonally had that experience. Does this “mean” anything to you? Or do you not notice it much of the time. Etc…</p>
<p>Yeah I was definitely thinking about telling it in a story-like way. I was thinking I’d start it off about how I succumbed to the stereotype of how a girl should dress/act when I realized how left out I felt when I was the only girl who played sports, etc. and then talk about how I’m now ready to break through the stereotype that math/science/engineering is mostly for guys. Something like that. Of course I’ll incorporate several anecdotes but make sure I focus on what distinguishes me and makes me unique in this way. Sound solid?</p>
<p>Sure, but be careful about framing it as breaking through the stereotype and maybe focus more on the fact that you enjoy competition and challenge and being your own woman. Or, something along those lines. schools hate to hear there’s a stereotype even if they “know.”</p>
<p>Ah, yeah I had an uneasy feeling about the stereotype thing. Could I still mention the first part about succumbing to the stereotype or should I just break free from using that word altogether? I feel like it might just be a moot point that I’m the only girl in my grade interested in engineering… so what? Why does this matter, you know? I guess that’s what I have to think about though!</p>
<p>Right. Okay well thank you so much! I should probably start on that, my Georgia Tech application is due October 1. The maximum length is 5000 characters… Does this mean I “should” write around that much or should I keep it to around 300-350 words?</p>
<p>I like the topic. And poetgrl has EXACTLY the right advice. Here’s a suggestion: come up with a single moment that kind of exemplifies what you are talking about. What about the first time you came into the AP class and realized you were the only girl. Did the guys stare? Did you feel just a little self-conscious? Think back and describe the scene in detail. That’s your first paragraph. Next think about how you’ve changed since then - gotten more confidence, stronger, presented a more assured presence among the guys, earned their respect. Then, write the LAST paragraph of your essay. This will show who you are today - use another “scene” as poetgrl suggests that shows you as a stronger person. Use the words “strength” or “strong” or “stronger” somewhere in that “scene.” Now you have the starting point and the ending point, so the middle can retain focus: you only want to get from start to end. Again, do it in “scenes” (two or three) that illustrate your transition to overcome your discomfort or lack of confidence or whatever minor issue you have to overcome to become the person you are in the last paragraph.</p>
<p>Hope that wasn’t too confusing…</p>
<p>ps - Poetgrl has a better idea - forget the stereotype bit, and go with the challenge, competition, etc! But do try to show a “story arc” and leave the essay with you being even stronger that before.</p>
<p>Wow, that was really helpful! Thank you so much! It’s funny that you mention that because when I first walked in to my class I heard all the guys saying things like “is she actually in this class, what is she thinking?” And now, they call me “the champ” so thats definitely something to write about. Is the thing about me being a tomboy when I was little and then changing my appearance, interests, etc. trivial in irrelevant or could it add some uniqueness to the essay? Thanks again, that was great advice!</p>
<p>It seems important to you, so write it down. Whether or not it ends up as part of the essay or not is immaterial. Just write it down in scenes. Then, when you read (out loud, please) it back to yourself, you will notice what fits and what doesn’t. Just get rid of what doesn’t fit.</p>
<p>After you are done, you will find the meaning. Once you know the meaning, you just go back through and kind of tweak it so it comes forward. This is the process. It’s kind of right brained.</p>
<p>If you write the stuff about the changing to fit in and it doesn’t end up in the essay, then it’s okay. In writing we call that “throat clearing.”</p>
<p>I always like Digmedia’s essay advice. Key tasks: first time/what happened/how you felt; what you did or what influenced you to grow from this; how you’ve changed/who you are today- and how you’re better for it. By the end, when you “tell” you’re stronger, see if you can back it up (“show”) with a nice example.
Agree with poet, too.</p>
<p>Thanks again poet, that’s great advice! Thank you lookingforward! I definitely feel more comfortable pursuing this as my essay! My other choice was to write about how I came from Montreal with French as my first language and having to learn English from scratch but I feel like that isn’t as unique, i.e. many people have written about this before right?</p>
<p>The other is a good idea, too, but you should just write. It’s best to just see what you have to say before you start worrying about what else you have to say.</p>