<p>It is undeniable that almost every college application requires an essay asking in far more numerous words... "Who are you?" </p>
<p>Of course you elaborate on your background, school, what you do for fun etc. Or you focus on one event that you believe defines you or has made you a better person. I think i am pretty much set on what is expected in the essay, but if some has better ideas feel free to put me in my place :).</p>
<p>But, should i mention the college in my essays? Is it cheesy or cliche or would I be an absolute fool not to? </p>
<p>The mention I am referring to would be along the lines of...</p>
<p>(this is not from my essays...I have yet to start...but should offer a pretty good example of both my writing style and the name dropping.)</p>
<p>"Getting my ideas across, and more importantly, recognized as valid was difficult at a small highly republican farm school. Although difficult, overcoming the fear of reprisal from my peers has made me far more confident in my ideas both scientific and political, what i believe to be cornerstone of the MIT experience." </p>
<p>I proably wont use this as my topic but is the name drop convincing or cheesy. :) </p>
<p>Furthermore, (sorry it got so long) should i avoid negative topics. I don't want to come off as arrogant while bragging myself up, but an essay on alcoholism in the home isn't really to inspiring and in some manner, pity craving.</p>
<p>THNX - Sock (Any ideas are more than welcome :))</p>
<p>I wouldn't. Not really because it's "cheesy," but rather because then you can use it for multiple schools. I'd focus on yourself in the essay. </p>
<p>Also, I really don't intend to be critical, but the examples you gave seem really stilted and wordy. Get others to read over your essays. </p>
<p>To answer your last questions, most adcoms are reading piles of applications and powered only by large amounts of caffeine injected intravenously. I really doubt they want to read a negative essay. Something interesting but enlightening should do the trick. :)</p>
<p>Yeah, my essays always tend to be a bit wordy, but thats what a science major is for right... Thanks I'll try to keep it a little simpler.</p>
<p>And I didn't mean negative essay as in tone. More so something on negative experiences...I understand where your coming from though. I don't really think it's interesting or inspiring but it does define a good part of my life... I planned on avoiding it anyways...</p>
<p>What if I fashion an essay specifically for a school, i.e. ". . . and because of [unique aspect of school], I'd like to bring [service club I founded] to this environment?" </p>
<p>I mean, I wouldn't put that part in if I sent it to other schools. Would it be too much to put it into my essay?</p>
<p>I don't think so. After all, adcoms are looking for people who can give to their college environment. </p>
<p>For example, say you were looking at the College of the Atlantic. Your essay could talk about how your experience in ecology club makes you a good candidate for the school. :)</p>
<p>The reason I didn't like writing one "specific" essay for all my colleges was I lived in constant fear a Duke adcom would read my essay and it would start out "I want to go to Carolina/Yale/Chicago/etc. because..." :eek:</p>
<p>A couple of admissions cycles ago, some poor kid posted that he had done just that in the common app - I don't recall the resolution, but it would not make for a happy wait until April 1st.</p>
<p>If MIT has an essay on the order of 'why MIT', that is a much more appropriate place to address the OP's issues than name dropping in a major essay or a who am I essay.</p>
<p>Another reason: You have limited space and words to say something unique about yourself. Don't waste them trying to pull the school into the essay. </p>
<p>As OhioMom says, the place to talk about the school is any essay that asks you "tell us how your interest in XYZ college developed?" or "tell us why you think XYZ college is a good fit for you."</p>