Is this offensive?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
1

<p>Does this show that I would fit in well at Swat, or is it just offensive because of the geeky reputation? It's from the conclusion of my common app essay.</p>

<p>As I was walking back to ML, I had a conversation with a Swattie, and a friend, named Susan. She asked me two questions to gauge how well I would fit in at Swarthmore. The first was, “You have 200 pages to read by tomorrow, what do you do?” I replied, “Read them. What else am I supposed to do?” She just nodded her head. The second question she asked was, “You have a 12 page report due at the end of the week, when do you do it?” I said, “If I really liked the topic, I’d go to the library and do it as soon as it was assigned. I’d be like ‘Oh boy, I can’t wait to go home and do this report.’” She answered by saying, “You’re such a nerd. You’d fit in perfectly.”</p>

2

<p>It's not so much offensive as a bit shallow, although I know you don't mean it that way. Admissions isn't looking for people that seem to be straight-up nerds and you don't want to market yourself this way, although being a bit nerdy is a prerequisite for admission.</p>

3

<p>I know it sounds kind of shallow, but it sounded kind of nice as a conclusion paragraph. It actually was a real conversation a few weeks ago.</p>

4

<p>It is not offensive, but it looks like you're trying too hard... if that makes any sense...</p>

5

<p>Frankly, you sound like me...
Also look at the University of Chicago.</p>

6

<p>How does this fit into the common app essay? It seems like a bad conclusion... doesn't really say that much about you. Let the adcoms decide if you are perfect for Swarthmore.</p>

7

<p>I don't have the negative reaction that others have had, although I think the ideas are better suited to the "Why Swarthmore?" essay.</p>

<p>I actually think that a "I admit it, I'm a nerd" essay could work pretty effectively for the "Why Swat?" question, especially if handled with some humor. </p>

<p>My general preference would be to deal with college essay questions in a more straightfoward manner. But, to me the key to "Why Swat" question is to demonstrate that you have identified a part of what makes Swat tick and how you would contribute to that. There are many aspects to Swat's culture and many ways to attack that question.</p>

8

<p>Thanks, but I already sent in my 'Why Swat' essay (ED). In my common app essay, I tried to show a love for Swat and all that stuff (because of that whole showing interest = good thing) while still telling about myself.</p>

9

<p>I guess there is a fine line between "showing interest" and appearing to be a "suck-up". You don't want to step over that line. I am sure you've shown plenty of interest in you "Why Swarthmore" essay. Maybe you should try something different for the other one.</p>

10

<p>For what it's worth, the impression that I got from every student with whom I talked on my recent overnight visit is exactly the opposite. If you have 200 pages to read in one night and a research paper, you pick and choose what you can and can't do and get over it.</p>

11

<p>Yeah but I think they were separate questions. heh, If I had a research paper AND 200 pages to read, I would definitely not finish both.</p>

12

<p>yeah, it's on the line for sucking-up</p>

13

<p>I didn't think it was shallow, offensive, or sucking up. But it might be risky given how other people have reacted above.</p>

14

<p>I know someone who said the F word 3 times in his Swat essay. He's currently a freshman there and loves it.</p>

15

<p>Lol! I'll bet that made him stand out...</p>

16

<p>i know somone that said the n word and he is loving it at swathmore</p>

17

<p>But why would you use this on your CommonApp essay? Unless you’re making another version for all the other schools you’re applying to. Then, it seems fine.</p>