<p>when i did the proportion out in my head, i figured that page 217 would be about sometime last year (assuming that pg 300 was now) so i used an anedote that happened to me about a year ago. i talked about situation in which the family i tutored for made me think twice about having kids due to some really strange confrontation with the kid’s mother. when my mom wrote it she seemed to have missed the fact that i spoke about how i was personally affected by the mother’s misery and the whole ordeal and just said “this is about you and not them”. it made me think my essay was too unorthodox. now, it’s written like a story because it is an anecdote and it focuses on events happening within another family and their effects on me - is this bad?</p>
<p>ok im sorry i got lost in all the text, let me just say this as i was accepted with very simple essays: just tell them why they should accept you, what is it about you and penn that just fit? if your essay accomplishes that, then youre fine, but dont overthink it. this isnt a creative writing piece for an english class-its your opportunity to talk to the admissions counselors "face to face" and say whatever you want to say; take advantage of it!!</p>
<p>Don't put too much weight in these essays. I got into Penn and Michigan talking about how I am a hapless failure. I got into Chicago writing about my encounters with a homeless person. Essays are just one part of your application, and you probably will not write something that catches an adcom's eye for the better. Be a little conservative. It is better not to stand out at all than to stand out in the wrong way.</p>
<p>haha venkater, did you write about how you probly wouldnt even get in penn or michigan and you would then consider yourself a failure? guilt trip for the admission committeeeeeee hehehe</p>