<p>We all know that in an application's essay, and in an application in general, colleges appreciate a clearly defined quality that sets the student apart from the rest of the pool. So the question becomes: at which point does this atypicality become unattractive? Is there such thing as being too weird?</p>
<p>By weird I do not mean the nerdiness of pocket protectors and dungeons and dragons. I mean the nerdiness of, for example, a student obsessed with biology. If she were to write an essay about how much joy she derives from reading the next journal article, looking at the next slide, making the next hypothesis, would that be frowned upon?</p>
<p>Or what about referencing interets that are not shared by the typical 17 or 18-year old? Like, let's say, comparing her life to a requiem. (That would be a pretty depressing life lol.)</p>
<p>I admit that this concern directly contradicts much of the conventional wisdom and is, in all likelihood, unfounded. But is there such thing as too much weirdness?</p>
<p>There may be such a thing as too much weirdness, but I don’t think your Biology idea has reached that point.</p>
<p>The death/requiem idea, though, might require some care. I did read an insightful, sensitive, competent essay about a cadaver and the writer was admitted to a first-choice, highly competitive school. However, such an essay should end up (imho) being positive and reasonably upbeat about the writer. Giving the impression that one is going to be seriously depressed if not suicidal on campus would be unwise. On the other hand, making light of death could come across as callous and unfeeling. There could be a fine line.</p>
<p>Since I am already on this thread, I might as well ask.</p>
<p>What if somebody was extremely interested in the “nerdiness in dungeons and dragons” or anime, or something like that. Would be it to his or her disadvantage to write about this hobby? Assuming that they can manage to find how this particular interest can bring out their personality?</p>
<p>My latin teacher always said that there is no shame in being a nerd. It just means you’re really passionate about something. Colleges will love to see a person so interested in something. Though it’s cliche, colleges truly want to see passion in an individual.</p>
<p>Nerd pride. I made my #1 college supplement pretty geeky about how I got excited by my interest. And, I faired okay. Just don’t scare them too much. But, there’s nothing wrong with being nerdy. ;)</p>