<p>I'm applying ED to William and Mary. It is my absolute number one choice, but the open-endedness of the question has me stuck a bit (It's pretty much just write whatever you want). I've written two different supplements (the first is an essay about how growing up with an autistic brother has impacted me) but the one I want to go with is a bit different from what most people do: I decided to write William and Mary a love letter. It's essentially just me "confessing" my love for the school and using my favorite features of it to reveal personal things about myself. But is that too quirky of a supplement? Am I better off going for something more formal?</p>
<p>yeah your basically right there, writing something like that is a little too quirky. Usually the essay is a bit more formal but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. spice it up a bit with humor if you wish or come up with an interesting topic but don’t stray too much.</p>
<p>Hello. I’m applying to William and Mary as well. I agree that their essay prompt is very open-ended: write to inspire us, make us laugh, but just tell us who you are. I think the overall goal is that by the end of reading your essay, the admission reps will know you better. Plus I think they expect creativity, because they are not setting strict guidelines about the topic. I say if you like the love letter idea, go with it. It sounds unique and entertaining.</p>
<p>Good Luck.</p>
<p>I have to say, I think the love letter idea is absolutely adorable and I love it! I’m also applying there, and I’m striving to infuse some humor into my essay about my job. Especially because you’re going ED, the love letter idea really shows your interest. I bet your main common app main essay is formal, so you don’t need two formal essays, make one a little more fun! W&M places a high emphasis on individuality and creativity, and I feel like they’ll be all over a “love letter” to them.</p>
<p>There is an essay that websites and college essay books use as an example essay a lot that is a girl writing a love letter to the college for her supplement essay! It worked out really well for her, but I would read it and make sure yours doesn’t sound too close to hers (so they don’t think you are copying)</p>
<p>‘too creative’ is when the format, style, tone, content, appearance or attachments overshadow the qualities that person who is writing the essay wants to highlight. If you can make yourself shine through using this format, there’s no reason not to. If you aren’t sure if you have succeeded, ask a trusted objective adult or two -like a teacher - to critique for you.</p>
<p>My guess is that they will find it a much more interesting read than the essay about growing up with an autistic brother. No offense, but I speak from experience that admissions officers are bombarded with these stories.</p>