Occidental Song Short Answer

One of Occidental College’s essay prompts is: What is the first song you would play for your roommates on move-in day? (1 line). Is it bad to pick a song the admissions’s officers have probably never heard? Should I avoid songs with any profanity? Can I offer a short explanation, or should I just list the song title?

It’s funny that you ask this because my S applied last year and put some song I’d never heard of (I’m mom) and that when I did listen to it, was appalled! It was a rap song about how some guy made it big and accrued material things to show everyone he’d made it big (and there was profanity). He got in with a sizable scholarship so I wonder if they listen to the song.

Nonetheless, I’d advise picking a song that you’d genuinely like to play, but preferably without profanity/negative message. Don’t explain it.