<p>There is nothing I want more than to attend Barnard. I am a senior and will most likely be applying early decision. I’ve made contact with my regional admissions counselor and started on a (general) essay.
What is the best possible trait to market about myself in my essays? I have already written about my passion for learning, trying to avoid common cliches about “finding myself” and “growing up”, but I can’t help but wonder, what is the best thing to discuss in your essay to an institution like Barnard?</p>
<p>A passion for learning is a bit of a cliche unless yours is very, very different. If I were you I would look for something a bit more unique and less general, i.e. a specific experience or more defined trait and fine an anecdote that highlights your subject. Large, general topics are notoriously hard to write about.</p>
<p>My D (Barnard '09) wrote about feeling like a dork until she met kids like her at a specific summer program. It wasn’t the most original topic either, but she had specific details that she included that gave the essay more interest and character (like the rap song she and her friends wrote to express India/Pakistan relations or the fabulous chocolate they ate at the Swiss Embassy.) She also starting with a jokey opening line what was quite arresting.</p>
<p>My S (Williams '11) wrote about his love for all things Star Wars. In the process, though, he managed to discuss Joseph Campbell and his theories of myth, the important of heroes, a trip he took to the Smithsonian when he was seven to see the real Yoda puppet and the fact that Mark Harmon is left-handed (like he is) and has his birthday suggesting that he is, in fact, Luke himself. It was, of course, presented as a joke.</p>
<p>Colleges are looking for vibrant personalities comfortable in their own skin who have something to bring to the community. They are going to assume that everyone who applies could say she (in the case of Barnard) has a vibrant personality.</p>
<p>Barnard, in particular, is looking for women who can write, are independent and sophisticated and want to be at Barnard, not Columbia (though I wouldn’t say that directly in the essay.) They are looking for women who will take advantage of the resources of NYC. (I wouldn’t say that directly either.) I think my D’s essay subtly communicated that because she discussed enjoyed DC in her program.</p>
<p>Choose a specific topic that really means a lot to you. Don’t try to “sell yourself”, just try to write an interesting piece.</p>