Hi everyone, I am applying to UNC this fall as a first year student. I am currently trying to craft my essays over the summer and was wondering what’s the best way to utilize the unusual prompts that UNC gives you (e.g. “Write a new amendment to the constitution”). I am having trouble thinking of ideas to fit the prompts so if you guys have any ideas/tips to help me formulate my thoughts to fit their prompts, please share. The list of prompts that I have to use can be found here: http://admissions.unc.edu/admissions-blog/2015/06/01/fall-2016-application-essay-prompts/
Thanks!
I don’t have any tips but thanks for posting that link! I’m applying too!
I think the essays are a way to express who you are as a person. So no one can really answer this question. As for the question you asked about, my tip is to ask yourself is what rights as citizen do you value the most? Look at the current amendments. What do you think the founding fathers missed? Why do you feel that way? I would avoid the oblivious choice unless you feel strongly about it.
Remember the point of essays. They are a way to put a face behind the numbers. To make your application stand out. It also showcases your ability to write and present your thoughts in a effective way, A very important skill for Chapel Hill.
I thought my essays were pretty strong, and I think they were pretty significant in my getting accepted OOS. I obviously couldn’t tell you what the next amendment should be, but with regard to the actual writing, I would say to make them different. Write with your own voice!! Make it humorous or sarcastic or however you feel best conveys you as a unique individual. Shy away from mentions of mission trips/listing APs/listing extracurriculars, and just tell an interesting story. They have all your statistics, so you need to show them ingenuity. Your proposed amendment could be extremely weird and specific but if you can relate back to something significant in your life, or explain its validity in an interesting way, you will stand out.
P.S. If you go for humorous, make sure you remain respectful and academic, and have other people read it to make sure everything goes over well.
Good luck!