Hello all!
I’m working on creating a personal website for myself and I would love some feedback on whether I should include it in my application.
The goal of this website is to not only showcase my graphic design skills and my coding skills but add a bit of personality to my application that doesn’t fit into the rest of my application. The theme of this website is video game style, or more specifically, Pokemon inspired.
The chosen character (video game character me) battles 'Unnamed Applicant", with each person having a certain amount of hearts. The game would be the player using different moves to attack the opponent. The interesting part is that these moves are my different, more unique, skills. The player chooses between four different options of moves. For example, this might be an example of the dialogue:
MsSweetTeaa uses the move ‘Master Baker’. She’s baked pies, breads, and pastries for her family for over 3 years, and has a recipe book of over 100 recipes. She’s even working on starting a food blog to share the more ethnic Nigerian dishes with others looking to savor their culture. It’s super effective! Unnamed Applicant loses 1 heart.
Or:
Unnamed Applicant uses the move Math Whiz. It’s somewhat effective. She has improved greatly with managing her time and changing the way she sees math. Instead of seeing it as something that is boring and uncreative, she sees it as a chance to use creative methods to solve a problem. Still, she is the first to admit she would hate spending her afternoons doing math competitions. MsSweetTeaa loses .5 hearts.
I think it’s a pretty cool idea for a personal website that I have to create anyways because my business is growing, but would this work in the admissions environment. On one hand, some of you might think it showcases unique parts of myself and gives admissions officers something to remember. On the other hand, some of you might argue that applications should be as should as possible, and doing this might seem try-hard. I’m curious to hear what you guys think!
NOTE: I’ve edited this post to make sure I don’t give out too much information about the actual logistics of the site because there are other applicants on CC. If you have any other questions, feel free to DM me.
Honestly, it seems like a really cool idea!! I’m actually working on a personal website myself but it’s just a very basic portfolio type website since I just relearned HTML and CSS.
One thing I’m a little confused about is the Unnamed Applicant. Is that supposed to be showing your skills in a different character? Or are you using another character to compare your skills to theirs? Because if it is, I don’t think it’s a very good idea.
I think the video game idea is super creative and I’m sure it’ll catch a lot of people’s attention. Honestly, not try-hard at all. Sure, it’s some more work, but I don’t think anyone would shame you for doing too much.
I’d love to see it sometime but I totally understand if you don’t want to share personal information!
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Thanks! Yep, I was afraid that the ‘Unnamed Applicant’ idea might not be the best because it makes me look pretty vain. I’m still thinking of other ideas though…I’ll sleep on it! And I’m totally fine with sharing the finished website with you via DMs! Thanks again for the feedback.
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Oh, and to be clear, “Unnamed Applicant” isn’t actually another applicant! They’re just another fake “video game character” who has a different skill set than mines. It wouldn’t be 'MsSweetTeaa is so much better at ELA". The other person’s moves reflection on me would be more self-deprecating. Does that make sense? Not comparing them, but showcasing my strengths (and flaws).
I thought it might be a fun idea with things like:
Unnamed Applicant uses the move Humourous. It’s super effective. MsSweetTeaa can’t make a joke for the life of her. She loses 1 heart.
But still, it might seem like I’m comparing our skills, so you have a point. It might be a quick fix with changing Unnamed Applicant to another name.
Oh, I just had an idea that might go with your video game theme! What if you had a video game character profile as an about page? So you could have things like different skills and how many points or “experience points” you’ve gained in that area? I don’t know if it would be as interesting but it might be fun to make.
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I think that any school that looked askance at your creative efforts would be a bad fit for you.
The whole point of this journey is for you to find an environment where you will thrive, where people will look what you are doing and encourage you to grow. If you being you is “too much”, then maybe that school isn’t big enough (metaphorically) for you.
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Agree with @stalecookies – do not make yourself smaller for this world! Yay go you! You know I am a huge fan @mssweeteaa!
The flip side, or caveat, to this high-five moment is: as long as you are getting all the other stuff in line and showing up for the meaty parts of your profile.
AND, as long as this doesn’t distract from your other stuff.
AND, as long as this is coming from a place of creativity, love and desire to share the best in you, and not from a place of worrying that you wouldn’t be enough with the razzle-dazzle. Sometimes, in a panic of feeling underwhelming, we can grasp at straws and do anything to dazzle and distract.
You are truly a special kiddo with SO much to offer. Trust that you don’t have to make yourself anything you are not.
You don’t have to make yourself smaller.
You don’t have to make yourself bigger or shinier.
You are enough, and you are amazing, and if this website is exactly you, then go for it. (I think you are wise to consider double checking to make sure you aren’t accidentally being snarky.)
I’m always in your corner whatever you decide to do!
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