<p>Okay, so I'm working on my supplement essay, and have a few questions for you guys.</p>
<p>How important is it that you relate your essay/story to a bigger picture idea?</p>
<p>i.e. I really struggled with what to write, ended up saying "forget trying to write on the perfect topic" and just wrote about a pretty insignificant event but IMO its well written and interesting. It's the first topic I've written this essay on that I was actually able to write abou without feeling like I'm BSing it. </p>
<p>My problem is that I don't want to just pull a deeper meaning out of thin air; the adcom would be able to see right through that. But I feel like i should relate it to SOMETHING or risk having my essay appear somewhat pointless.</p>
<p>So heres the question: Is it alright to have a well written, interesting essay about something inconsequential, or does it really need to provide a deeper insight if I want to have a shot at Yale?</p>
<p>The essays are their way of learning more about you, who you are, how you think etc.</p>
<p>They are far more concerned about what you are saying than they are about how well it is written. You can be saying something without any real world importance but saying it in an interesting and unique way.</p>
<p>My son wrote a very funny short essay that he used for Yale and several other schools, that frankly scared me when he said he was going to submit it. It was humorous and thoughtful and pretty much made fun of the whole notion of knowing oneself and while it did have a point, it also was very tongue in cheek.</p>
<p>Every letter of acceptance referred to how much they enjoyed his essays and all made mention of something related to the short, funny one. They even told his college counselors that they "loved" his essays.</p>
<p>Too many people merely feed them the pabulum that they see hundreds of times a day trying hard to wrap things up with a neat little bow. </p>
<p>My question for you would be, does your college counselor/guidance counselor have any experience with other successful Yale (or Ivy) applicants? if so ask them to read it and give you their honest take on things.</p>
<p>Taking a different approach isn't wrong and could honestly help to make the essay stand out which is what you want and need. it doesn't have to have deep insight...you are 18 years old.....make sure its interesting and would make them want to say "I'd like to meet this person." That is what a good and successful essay is really supposed to do.</p>