I have an unconventional non-essay I love-should I submit it for the optional PS?

<p>The prompt is this:</p>

<p>Personal Statement (Optional)
If there is anything about your background or personal experience that you feel would be helpful for the Admissions Committee to know as we evaluate your application, please complete the personal statement below. </p>

<p>My essay (which my teacher told me is really not an essay) is fun, and I really like it. It's basically me imagining winning a Tony (if anyone wants to read it to give me better feedback for this question, that'd be totally cool!). It doesn't really answer what they're looking for, though. Should I submit it anyway, or will they think I'm wasting their time? Is it even important to submit something for this? They have another prompt that is "topic of your choice" - I suppose I could submit it there, but my teacher cautioned me against submitting this piece of writing under any prompt that specifies "essay." Any opinions?</p>

<p>Well, technically, it is a "possible" future personal experience. ;]
I say risk it. If you love it, do it. What have you got to lose?</p>

<p>What does your teacher think?</p>

<p>I love the idea. Couple kids from my class went unconventional too. My teacher told us about this one essay about a kid (long time ago) and he wrote stuff like "I have navigated the Peruvian waters, I have visited every conceivable NBA arena, I have studied every symphony of Beethoven" and blah blah blah and finished it with "But I have not gone to college."</p>

<p>Being unconventional stands out so I stay keep with it.</p>

<p>Musab, it sounds like your friend wrote an amazing essay, I would have liked to have read it. ;p</p>

<p>Ninnydoddle, I'd love to read your essay! I'm really bad at finding spelling and grammar mistakes, but I'm pretty good at diction/word choice and voice/tone. But, in regards to sending the essay in, I say go for it. What could it hurt? =D</p>

<p>This is the thing that most people don't realize about a 'personal statement'. It is a reflection of you and who you are, it is not necessarily and ESSAY, otherwise the term 'personal statement' would be non-existent. I say just risk it, if you really love your personal statement and feel it reflects alot about you as a person, then go for it. I am having a similar problem as well because I have an unconventional format for my personal statement so I sorta know how you feel.
But you have nothing to lose, plus, college admissions like something different.</p>

<p>Also, if it is like the optional Penn State personal statement, it is limited to a certain character count; so, your essay may not even fit.</p>

<p>
[quote]
What have you got to lose?...What could it hurt?...you have nothing to lose...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I don't agree with these sentiments. The essay is an important part of the application. It is your opportunity to reveal yourself to the AdCom. Submitting an ill-considered essay does cost something: you lose the opportunity to submit an excellent, personal, detailed, revealing one. </p>

<p>Imo, OP would do well to consider this decision carefully, and not take solace in the incorrect claim that she has nothing to lose.</p>