<p>Hello -- I'm almost done with my college apps, Yale being my last. I want to do this one well! My idea for the extra essay basically involves using only quotes from songs I like to describe how much I love music. The idea and the structure would be mine, but the words would not be...I would cite everything at the end. Do you think this shows creativity, or is it risky to not use any of my own words?</p>
<p>It’s all good :)</p>
<p>Well, the point of the extra essay is to reveal more about you, and while using words from your favorite songs to describe your love of music sort of makes sense, they aren’t your own words and your “voice” doesn’t come across. Still, if you think that would best convey the message you want to get across to the adcoms, go for it.</p>
<p>I think its an excellent idea! But thats just me. This is probably very very risky and will either appeal strongly or be bad…</p>
<p>It sounds like it could be a little one-note. I feel like chances are that whatever you create with this won’t be as moving or interesting if you just talked about how much you love music, in your own words. It would be very difficult to piece together a good essay from the lines of dozens of other songs. Don’t do it. </p>
<p>Be genuine and just show the admissions officers your heart. What will really impress them is being able to write plainly and still being able to move them.</p>