<p>For essays concerning intellectual ideas or experiences, is it better (i.e. more revealing) to write about a subject from a philosophical standpoint or a scientific standpoint?</p>
<p>It would probably be more personal/reveal yourself more if you write from a philosophical view. However, if you are naturally an analytical person or are applying to a strongly science based school, you may feel more comfortable writing from a scientific viewpoint. Write whichever way you naturally write. That will be the most honest and revealing way to express yourself, I think.</p>
<p>I think I am pretty balanced - I like philosophy, but I also like science. I want to incorporate my experience of doing research with mice. I can either talk about the potential scientific benefits of this research (of course, since I am doing this internship, I am interested in this research) or I can talk about anthropocentrism (I can get pretty deep with this approach, since I debate about it frequently). This is for Stanford...so, with this new information, which approach should I take? I am pretty interested in writing about both topics, but I can't manage to fit both topics into one short essay.</p>
<p>Well...if you have time, I would write out both essays (scientific and philosophical) and get opinion, yours and others, as to which seems more interesting, well-written, and personal. If not, I would suggest taking the more philosophical approach. The admissions committee will already know that you are interested in science due to your research and probably other science-related ECs. The essay can be an area to show a different side to your personality.</p>
<p>I would try to bit both topics into the short essay. I know the character limits make it difficult, but I think it's probably worth the effort. Stanford seems to like students who are interested in a bunch of different stuff. I'd try writing about both and then just make it more and more concise. I did something somewhat similar in the activity essay where I talked about both my experience with debate and research. I focused on debate and talked about how it made me a better scientist. You can say a lot in the short space they allow. Feel free to send me a draft of the essay and I'll let you know what I think. And if you have questions about being at Stanford, especially as a freshman/physics major, I'd be happy to answer them. Good luck!</p>
<p>Why not just "personal?" But, to answer your question..</p>
<p>Two months back, I read a passage written in two different ways about human skin. Just like you asked, one was written "scientifically" and the other "philosophically/literarily." Which one stuck out? The philosophical one. Writing "scientifically" can be good in a short dosage, and for effect, but just the purpose of the style is somewhat incompatible with the purpose of an admissions essay (which I think is what you are talking about..).</p>