<p>For several intellectual colleges (ok for a particular one i'm looking at), they seem to like really off beat, idiosyncratic essays.</p>
<p>So what if I did something instead of an essay? Like a list of statements on who I am, or a mad libs as an essay, or some story, or made it into a comic book kinda thing?</p>
<p>this would, of course, be done in conjunction with several conventional ones.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
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<p>There’s the problem. If you ever look at some of the succesful modern artists (painters, writers, photgraphers, cartoonists, etc.) they all have a certain style and theme perpetuated in all their works. By doing one unconventional essay and a couple conventional ones, where’s your style? What are you trying to accomplish? Are you showing a quirky side of a normally serious type or vice-versa? If you present a hodge-podge of styles and mediums, it may come off as if you’re unsure of your goal. </p>
<p>So, in conclusion, I’d recommend go all out with one style. Whether this is biting humour, fake arrogance, cartoons, mad libs, whatever. Just keep it consistent (note, you can change the context to a degree- so if you had the same writing style, like that biting humour, you could convey that through different mediums). Unless you don’t care about your work as art. Then go ahead and do whatever floats your boat.</p>
<p>Only be idiosyncratic or unconventional if it’s sincere and real. Those kinds of essays are very hit or miss, but mostly the latter. </p>
<p>If you’re definitely going for that angle, the format is up to you (given that it likely has little precedent elsewhere), but I’d suggest having several people from different backgrounds (e.g., a sibling, parent, stranger, and a teacher) read it so that you can gauge the gap between your intentions and the reactions they engender.</p>