Essay: too unique and off-the-wall?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>Hi,
I started writing my college essay late last night/ early this morning. At the time I thought my idea was unique and kind of cute, but now I'm really worried about it. My father thought it was good, but my best friend thought that it was too weird. She told me that I should probably consider writing something more traditional.</p>

<p>My original idea was to write a case: study about myself. My freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year selves would discuss the case: study and along the way they would come to some great realization about me. </p>

<p>If any one could comment or read what I have so far, that would be so great. However, I haven't finished it yet and my rough draft is still very, very rough. </p>

<p>I'd rather not send it to any class of 2012ers and below. I'm sorry about that, but I'm just paranoid about my work being stolen. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance to any one with any sort of advice for me!!!</p>

<p>Extra info: I'm applying to Yale, Washington University, Rice University, and University of Michigan</p>

<p>This essay is for the general essay on the common app.</p>

2

<p>It sounds like you would need to be real specific and careful to stay on track and clear but it could be doable and fun.</p>

<p>I assume the “case” is some issue you face and you are giving your progressive view on how to look and solve the problem through the eyes of your freshman, soph and Jr self.</p>

<p>So, you would have to identify each of “yourselves” and their thoughts very deliberately. So you would have to say “As a freshman, I would have thought …” As a Sophmore I grew to realize …"</p>

<p>Tense might be tricky as well.</p>

3

<p>It depends if you could fit it all into 500 words properly. Readers have limited time, so they can’t afford that much time to one essay.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the advice. But I’ve actually decided to go the traditional route.</p>