<p>I've written about two or three versions of my college essay, and the one that I've become the most comfortable with and confident about focuses on modern feminism and its stigma among kids our age. This is a subject that I really am interested in and hope to study in college.</p>
<p>The only problem is with Wellesley specifically. Because it's an all-girls school, and because of its feminist reputation, I'm afraid they'll either get hundreds or thousands of essays that are exactly like mine, or that they'll see it as sycophantic or pandering. </p>
<p>I'd really like to get some opinions on this, from anyone and everyone but especially Wellesley students or alumni. I REALLY appreciate it a lot. Thanks :)</p>
<p>Is this your "why Wellesley?" essay or the general one? If the latter, I think if you emphasize the fact that you want to study feminism and toss in some stuff about the WOST dept, WCW or Instead, it would not be seen as pandering, especially as all this stuff represents what you want to <em>do</em>. My natural disclaimer is that I don't read essays or any of the sort and have no idea if Wellesley adcoms are sick of reading the same old stuff or what the same old stuff is.</p>
<p>Don't worry about being cliche if it's truly something you are interested in. Your sincerity and passion should shine through.</p>
<p>it's my general Common App essay, the one I'm sending to all the schools I'm applying to. Thanks, both of you, I really appreciate your input:)</p>
<p>I may be too late for your application deadline, but maybe this will help someone.</p>
<p>I graduated from Wellesley a few years ago, and my essay was about Xena: Warrior Princess and how cool she is (I think I actually wrote "she's really really cool" in the essay) for being feminine/straight yet still kicking butt. I don't know if it helped or not, but I was accepted early. I'm not any kind of extreme feminist, I was just writing the one about "describe someone you admire and why". </p>
<p>I think your essay idea on feminism and stigma is relevant and insightful. Remember that the admissions committee tends to be an older crowd, your parents' age or older (lived through the 60s/70s), and they work at Wellesley, so they probably like to read things about feminism.</p>
<p>"Remember that the admissions committee tends to be an older crowd, your parents' age or older (lived through the 60s/70s), and they work at Wellesley, so they probably like to read things about feminism."</p>
<p>Wow! That's the first I've heard the office described in that way! I don't know what the office is like now, but about 4 years ago when I was student who worked in the Admission office, more of the counselors were younger than older, as in they were in their 20's/early 30's. And remember that current Wellesley students are also part of the board and will read applications. I think it would be a mistake to cater your essay towards a more "mature" crowd and what you think would appeal to that demographic.</p>
<p>"I don't know what the office is like now, but about 4 years ago when I was student who worked in the Admission office,more of the counselors were younger than older, as in they were in their 20's/early 30's. "</p>
<p>Thanks for clarifying - it is important to know your audience when writing anything. So the audience is likely a 20 to 30-something group that's probably mostly women (at least the student portion will be). And they probably love Wellesley since they work on the admissions committee...</p>
<p>Guess it's best to let everyone make their own conclusion about what this group would like to read.</p>
<p>The whole idea is to get your message across irrespective of the age of the reader.</p>