<p>The supplement seems straightforward enough—essentially a "why NU" sort of question. Would it be bad to write and essay simply explaining some of the things I'm interested at NU and what I would do with them etc.? I know that is essentially what the supplement is asking, but should I take a more creative route, like a narrative or something?</p>
<p>Just answer the question.</p>
<p>Thanks! That was really helpful!</p>
<p>When I first wrote my supplemental essay, that’s exactly what I did - wrote about various things at NU that interested me. However, when I re-read it a few times, I realized that it sounded more like a list and did not portray my true passion for NU, which is what I think the point of the essay is about. So, I reworked the whole thing, still keeping some specifics, and focused on how NU fits who I am and how perfect it is for me.</p>
<p>sarcasm doesn’t translate well over the internet, especially when your username is idontjoke. And if you really want my advise that’s it sorry for answering your question.</p>
<p>disclaimer: i really don’t mean to come across as a jerk in this post.</p>
<p>i don’t know if it’s because college admissions are so damned competitive these days or what, but i don’t think it’s necessary for an application essay to rely on some gimmick, such as a narrative. this behavior is certainly not unique to this thread, either; when i lurk the many boards of this forum i see this kind of thing all the time. it sounds like more people than ever are preoccupied with making their application “stand out”. unfortunately it seems that it has gotten to a point where any piece of writing that is normal <em>gasp</em> automatically becomes a great detriment to the whole application. </p>
<p>now don’t get me wrong dude, i’m sure a narrative could convey why you want to attend NU as well as another, albeit much more plain, typical, and thus poor essay could (how did that sarcasm translate over the internets?). however, why would you think that it’d be bad to write an “essay simply explaining some of the things I’m interested at NU”? really though, that is the kind of approach that you <em>SHOULD</em> be taking man! i’ll admit that i have no idea what it’s like to be an admissions officer, but if i want my next student body to have any modicum of dignity i’d like to hear a sincere exposition of why someone wants to attend my college, especially instead of, damn i don’t know what people consider “creativity” these days…i know! how about i submit a dust bowl-era folk song written in iambic pentameter about why chicago, with its bright lights and vibrant political machinery is quite simply the only place where a true american patriot should undertake a higher education? you know what? i’ll do that. six months from now i’ll let you know if my application stood out enough to either a) warrant an involuntary stay in a mental hospital of indefinite length or b) get me into a really chill school like northwestern, bro! go wildcats!</p>
<p>ugh. i could have saved myself the time i spent writing that. why? because a few days ago jkaufman gave the best advice possible: answer the question. don’t distract yourself with a sinking feeling of inferiority merely because you explain in a conventional yet effective manner why you want to go to this college, mkay?</p>
<p>oh, and i’d like to reiterate that i do not mean to come off like a jerk. i just want to slap some sense into these people before they become my classmates.</p>