essay...

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

<p>I heard UVA looks at the essays intensely...what do u think of mine....</p>

<p>My favorite word is connected. The world will fully progress when people connect to others creating common solutions for the betterment of all. John Rawls theorized the Veil of Ignorance, which states that people must come together basing their judgments and actions without regard to their personal situation. In other words, people must ignore their wants to achieve justice and the progression of society. For a moment, imagine, if all humans were connected to a common cause nothing would prevent humans from becoming successful. If, the Veil of Ignorance prevailed selfishness would not be an issue. The possibilities are endless. Although, this may never reach worldly measure, I attempt to live my life consistent with this theory. In applying it, I realize that what people think of me does not really matter. Minimizing my prejudices and societies preconceived judgments; I can connect with more people. It allows me the opportunity to relate and be open to new and different cultures, people, and ways of thinking. Incorporating this has connected me to people in high school because I recognized that it is important to human progress and my progress. I believe if all people got rid of their cliques and attempted to connect to others irrelevant of their status, background, or beliefs societal welfare would reach its prime.</p>

2

<p>i found it very boring. but then again, I dont like reading at all. infact, i have only read 1 book in last few years: harry potter. but your essay sounded very profound. </p>

<p>my favorite word was maturity.</p>

3

<p>to be honest I'd have to agree with crichessill. It lacked any sort of "hook" I realize that it can be difficult to make an essay about your favorite word interesting. I think the key is to pick a wacky word that makes the reader want to keep reading to find out why you like such a wacky word.</p>

4

<p>Hahahah my essay was so risky. However, I did get a likely letter with lower than average stats for out-of-state, so maybe it helped. I wrote how my favorite word was "what." I looked at is as a statement rather than a question. Im weird....</p>

5

<p>be more personal... use examples... otherwise no one gets a sense of who you really are.</p>

6

<p>i put "change" as my favorite word~~</p>

7

<p>Well as long as we're sharing...mine was "supercilious." I lamented that such a beautiful word has such a negative connotation. I also (perhaps riskily) joked that it is a synonym of "cavalier." Accepted to echols.</p>

8

<p>"Moose" was my favorite word. ;)</p>

9

<p>I know I shouldn't be invading your thread, Logitech101, but I simply cannot resist the temptation to post my essay as well (plus, I really don't want to waste space by creating another thread...don't worry, I'm not competing here; just hungry for feedback.) However, I will say that although I agree with some of the other posters, I did like how you cleverly "connected" things as the paragraph progressed (at least, that's the way I saw it.) Also, although the subject was broad, I thought that you were very intellectual in handling it. </p>

<p>Now, here's my essay:</p>

<pre><code> Although I do not use the word much in everyday speech, or even in my writings, one of my favorite words of all time is "twist." No, I'm not talking about the dance or the brand of Pepsi. I'm referring to the kind of twist that changes the course of events, and takes unassuming spectators by surprise.

The word is simply embedded within our culture. It can be seen within a mystery novel, a television promo, a movie trailer, a sports event, a political campaign, and even the life of your average Joe Schmo. Admittedly, I experience most twists vicariously. However, they are always thrilling and seem to produce in me a most insatiable desire for them. David Lynch's unfathomably puzzling movie, "Mulholland Drive," for instance, contains perhaps the most deviously devilish twist that I have observed in recent years. At about three-fourths through the film, something happens that essentially changes the entire structure of it and turns the world of "Mulholland Drive" upside down; Lynch hits the viewers with a cold slap of reality and shows them who is boss, ending the movie in an air of utter ambiguity. I was beyond intrigued and began to search for answers through several viewings of the movie, internet sites, and fellow movie aficionados. Even then, I was still left with many questions.

It is the interest and curiosity that a twist invokes within the mind that makes the word so beautiful. The surprise that a twist creates almost always keeps people interested, and it is interest, in my view, that drives the human race; it is the twist that allows us to have conversations and speculate like there is no tomorrow. A twist, whether good or bad, turns the mundane into the mysterious and turns the lackluster into the luster. Hence, I do hope that this line qualifies as a twi-
</code></pre>

<p>*</p>

<p>I know that the "Mulholland Drive" stuff can be a bit subjective, but I was definitely giving my personal opinion there. And for those of you who have seen MD, I'm fairly certain that you'd agree with me about the twist...even if you may feel that David Lynch was/is smoking crack (interesting fact: Lynch actually uses milkshakes to give him the highs he needs!) Anyway,
comments? Too much wordplay? Too over the top? (Yes, I'm psycho-analyzing...or something.) Fire away, I say!</p>

10

<p>mine, was "bubble." love that word...</p>

11

<p>Since I had to write 10 essays over winter break, I went with the less creative alternatives to the "word" essay.</p>

12

<p>Logitech101: I would have to say that your essay was a bit boring. You probably would have been better off using you word to "sell" yourself to U.Va. "For example my favorite word is community, becasue I love helping tutor middle school kids with learning disabilities..."</p>

<p>ldcubed: I thought your essay was more interesting to read, but I'd have to repeate what I said above about using the essay to "sell" yourself.</p>

13

<p>i think that if you enjoy working with middle school aged kids with disabilities, then on your application there will be evidence that you have been involved with this...i think the essays are more about letting your personalities or opinions show through and you both did that</p>

14

<p>can someone read my favorite word essay. i will pm you. i dontfeel like posting it here</p>

15

<p>While I really like both your essays, I have to echo the thoughts of the other posters, and say one word: personalize!!! Add details about yourself, your life. Otherwise it becomes totally abstract and the adcomms won't be able to figure out what's you. And quite frankly, a lack of personality makes for a boring essay.</p>

16

<p>nagah: You make a good point about letting your personalities show. However you have to play the game. You are writing these essay to get into college. And so you should be taking ever chance possible to show how much you deserve to get in. I think the main fault with these two essays is that they don't show how their words really relate to them. They are fine essays for a writing prompt on a standardized test, but they don't do much to help them get into college.</p>

17

<p>anyone..........</p>

18

<p>To all that responded...</p>

<p>Thank you for your comments and thank you for being honest. However, I must respond to this "personality" thing.</p>

<p>You see, one of my main faults <em>is</em> my personality. <em>That</em> is what is bland. So, that's why I use my writing to create things that are more exciting (as I'm sure many other writers do.) I also didn't want to be direct about how the word relates to me. Rather, I thought that weaving the subject of "me" into the essay intermittently would work better because it is more subtle. Personally, I thought that the "twist" ultimately conveyed my sense of curiosity. However, if they were really looking for a big "sell," then I suppose I failed my objective; alas, I simply am not a well-rounded individual. I did apply to UVA as a reach school after all, so no big loss. It was worth a shot though. Guess I'll find out what happens soon!</p>

<p>Once again, thanks for the comments!</p>

<p>Edit: Crichessill, I'd be happy to read your essay.</p>

19

<p>I hope your not taking offense to what I posted. If you are I apologize. I wish you the best of luck.</p>

20

<p>No offense taken at all, NoelB05. If anything, you helped me broaden my perspective! (And now wish I came here more often before I wrote my essays...or before I entered high school, lol.)</p>