Honors code essay

<p>Hey guys I have one more question about the essay. The Honors code essay prompts are really specific and I cannot see how one can possibly put one's own voice in it and actually show more than tell. i am writing about the one with what elements are essential in an honor code, and how should an honor code enforce it. I wrote about tolerance and repect of other students (most important) and then academic honesty and then an honor code shouldn't be like a secret police on campus. My question: How do you make such an academic subject sound interesting to readers???</p>

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>Well, you're already at an advantage: the college wouldn't want to hear about this topic if they didn't find it interesting. Interest probably shouldn't be your concern, but rather, how can you make you're essay that's on the same topic as thousands of others stand out. My answer is A) A well-written essay is not in danger of being impersonal; your word choice, sentence structure, and developed thoughts will represent your individuality. B) If you are genuine in your thoughts, that will come through in your essay. I'm not an admissions officer, but I would think that it's pretty easy to tell who's BSing and who actually believe in the Honor Code.</p>

<p>Hope this helps. =)
GOOD LUCK!</p>

<p>mdb gives sound advice, i wouldn't worry about it being uninteresting to read, as long is its well written, and provides new insight into a question that probably a third of their applicant pool is writing about. </p>

<p>In my essay, i infused some "Why Haverford" too. </p>

<p>and i hope he's right about it being easy for the adcoms to tell you actually believe in the Honor Code, becuase i spent a long time on mine and i really liked it.</p>

<p>Good Luck</p>

<p>thank you guys.</p>

<p>woohoo!!!: I have a question How do you provide "new insight" if the prompt specifically asks you for what they want though??? Doesn't "new insight" would stray reader into a new topic???</p>

<p>i guess what i meant wasn't new insight, but your insight. I think that many many of haverford applicants will say that an honor code should stress tolerance and respect and that it should be guidelines on how to live in such a small community rather then rules. I would approach the question by saying in the intro what i think should be in the honor code. spend the body SHOWING why, and then the conclusion for how it could be enforced. </p>

<p>I think its ok for you to stray from the topic (a little!) as long as you bring it home with a powerful conclusion. </p>

<p>I answered to the third prompt(the dialog one), and i didnt directly reference the honor code until the conclusion. But throughout the essay i subtly (i hope!) referenced the question and talked about values that the honor code, and the quakerness of the school, embodies. </p>

<p>My essay was about race, and my experience in an inner city public school versus my (quaker) summer camp. How dialog between black and white people were very different in both places. and then i finished by saying something about how open dialog and "free intellectual exchange" only take place when inclusion is ALWAYS important even if painful. </p>

<p>i certainly wasn't focused on the prompt for the whole essay.</p>

<p>after thinking about it, i think my new insight comment is rather unhelpful. i think its ok to talk about an honor code stressing respect as long as you have a specific example explaining why.</p>

<p>I hope that was helpful, and I'd be happy to read your essay if you want some more specific feedback. (i sent in my application already)</p>

<p>Again Thank you woohoo!!! Seeing that I come from the South and not a Quaker, I unfortunately cannot relate to what you wrote; however, I thought it was a good idea. I agree with you comment that you shouldn't limit the focus entirely on the essay. and I will try to finish the essay up today. but thanks for the advice.</p>

<p>woohoo!!!: I just sent you the essay.</p>

<p>Um… I think it’s great you guys are putting in this effort but I really don’t think it matters too much. I think the essay is used more for your own benefit than for the adcom. Writing the essay helps applicants decide if HC is the right place for them. If, in the process, you don’t know what to write, roll your eyes at what you write or get annoyed at thinking about such issues, then HC isn’t for you and you’d likely not be happy at HC. There’s no one interpretation of the honor code and many students don’t come to terms with what it means and its nuances until late into their time at HC or sometimes only afterwards. As such, there's really no "wrong" essay now unless you write something completely offensive. </p>

<p>You can also think of it like a “thank you letter”. Writing a good one won’t get you noticed and accepted, but writing a very bad one will draw attention.</p>

<p>^^really??
i thought that with such a specific prompt that they would really care about what you wrote. obviously a good essay wouldn't make up for bad grades or mediocre test scores, but i thought that haverford weighed thier essay rather strongly.</p>

<p>oh and i pmed you back xtra.</p>

<p>Workin' on that essay right now. My advice is to not worry about the specificity of the prompt. </p>

<p>Yes, the prompt is asking a question and they would like you to answer it, but you have to think what exactly the question is. Like HC ALUM is saying, this essay is less about writing a well constructed essay (still important, though), and more about showing the admissions committee that you would be a prime candidate for the school. </p>

<p>Going back to my main point (as every essay should :p), if you have any stance at all on an honor code, your essay will be every bit relevant to what admissions is looking for.</p>

<p>Personally, I skimmed over the questions, got an idea, and started writing down what I want to talk about in the essay. I haven't looked back to see if my idea will fit in with the prompts, but I know it will answer the question. </p>

<p>P.S. I bet someone else has noticed this, but Honor Code and Haverford College have the same initials (HC). Mind boggling, I know. I should really get back to work now.</p>

<p>As someone who has read many Honor Code Essays in the past from applicants during my days as an student admissions worker at Haverford, I can say that most people end up saying pretty similar things and the office probably doesn't see too many "especially remarkable" essays. To that accord, I never got the impression it was a significant factor in admission...and never really seemed like a good tool to differentiate candidates. </p>

<p>So, unless you write an extremely spectacular narrative, the main purpose of the secondary essay is to make sure you've taken the time to understand the Honor Code, maybe learn a little more about your past experiences in life, and see if your core values are in line with those at Haverford. Chances are, if you're applying to Haverford, your values definitely are in line. In most respects, the essay is for "you" rather than Haverford. </p>

<p>Having said that, I have read a very few number of absolutely beautiful essays that were deeply personal (and reflective of extremely individual experiences) that I think could affect an decision. If you have something unique like that, write about it. If not, I wouldn't worry too much.</p>

<p>Thanks blacksquirrel06, but i've already submitted my essay. so... best of luck to it.</p>