<p>"What intrigues you? Tell us about one work of art, scientific achievement, piece of literature, method of communication, or place in the world (a film, book, performance, website, event, location, etc.), and explain its significance to you."</p>
<p>A few years ago, as I fought to stabilize myself in the face of death, divorce and other distractions, I opened up a book. The book didn't have a title, or an author in fact, the book didn't seem to have any words written in it at all. Curious, I sat down and flipped through the book. As I looked down, my eyes attentively scouting each blank page in search of any sort of meaning, everything seemed to move in slow motion. I looked down only hours after my grandmother died, and wouldn't look up until last summer. These pages, blank and bare yet brilliant and burning with emotion, were truly timeless. For two years my mind bore an image as seemingly void as the pages of the book. But these two years were the most intellectually productive years of my life, because when I looked up - donning that hopeful expression of enlightenment - I knew I had experienced something powerful. I recognized the beauty and unity in all things, and I realized that I understand absolutely nothing at all. I experienced the paradox of human existence.</p>
<p>As it turns out, the book I read has a long history. Friedrich Nietzsche and Arthur Schopenhauer and Jean-Paul Sartre all read this book too. Even Plato read it, before proclaiming that the unexamined life is not worth living. Yes, many a great philosopher have seen these barren pages of boundless astonishment. But to this day, I cannot help but to employ the only means by which my life still strides on: I wonder why.</p>
<p>Interesting essay. Intriguing indeed. Not too many high student could have this deep examination of the philosophy of existence. Reminded me of my old college days back some 30 years ago when I almost finished my minor in Philosophy. But thank heavens, I majored in something a bit more tangible - engineering. </p>
<p>Okay, here comes my blunt critique. What are you trying to accomplish with this essay? Are you trying to impress the admission committee how sophisticated you are, or are you trying to make them look up the three philosophers? The intellectual side of me wants to tell you how brilliant you are. But the practical side of me needs to tell you that this essay could backfire big time. Yes, everyone should and probably will at one point of his/her life, examine the meaning of his/her existence. But why are you preaching that to me on an college admission essay? </p>
<p>This essay, with the right audience, may soar. But it is likely that more than 70% of the college admission folks don’t see or buy that philosophical question. And most of them will not have the time to look up those three philosophers on the web like I did.</p>
<p>Through college essays, admissions is looking to get to know a student other than academic statistics. Although well-written, your essay onlys tells admissions its significance to you. Consider “showing” instead of telling admissions through a personal example.</p>
<p>Philosophy major? I take my original harsh comments back! Yes, this essay may just work. No, it should work well! I just pray that someone in the admission committee enjoyed their philosophy classes.</p>
<p>hahaha don’t worry, I’m used to it. I just can’t see myself studying anything else - it’s really what I love.
Anyway, that’s reassuring! Thank you so much :)</p>
<p>I love philosophy as well. But I hate reading what all those dead philosophers wrote because I can’t remember who said what. And I hate all those theories; I probably can come up with plenty of them sitting in the john. But I love the arguments. I took something like 5 or 6 philosophy classes in college and I was about 2 short before I can declare that as a minor. But well, I got a job offer waiting for me. My personal philosophy was: $ > words! </p>
<p>Frankly, philosophy is a great undergrad major to prepare you for your law degree. You learn to argue on a much higher ground. Philosophy also could be the foundation for your PHD in philosophy, which should led to a teaching job.</p>