Poem in the UC personal statement.

College Essays
1

<p>Hi everyone, </p>

<p>I'm planning on adding a 200 word poem to my personal statement. (Tell us about your world.) 300 words of normal written text, and then a 200 word poem describing my world. Is it an acceptable idea?</p>

2

<p>^Definitely creative. I say, go on.</p>

3

<p>I would only do this if I had a high degree of confidence in the quality of the poem.</p>

4

<p>Okay thanks debarghya9.</p>

<p>guidedbywire, I have sufficient faith in my literary venture. :)</p>

<p>Any more opinions, please?</p>

5

<p>I think it would only be risky if you did NOT have the 300 words of normal written text. The combination of the two can (and I’m sure will) make for an awesome personal statement. Good luck and have fun!</p>

6

<p>You think?! Wow, thanks!</p>

7

<p>Any more opinions? :]</p>

8

<p>If I were you, I wouldn’t risk writing a poem in my application. I’d suggest that you only go ahead, if you’re absolutely confident or you’re sure that you can’t substitute it with a normal statement. Somehow, writing a poem in place of standard paragraphs reeks of trying too hard to stand out from the rest, which doesn’t reflect well on you.
On the other hand, UC generally tends to attribute far more importance to your grades than your personal statement, and the latter is ‘relatively’ less important. But still, it’s too great a risk in my opinion.</p>

9

<p>Interesting. Thanks. But I think I’ll risk it… Just for gags.</p>

10

<p>Poetry should be supplemental material.</p>

<p>You could risk it only if you are very confident of the quality and interest of it. And if you feel your transcripts are really solid.</p>

11

<p>Go for it.</p>

12

<p>I’d say don’t. A lot of what the admissions people look for in essays is to see how well you can write and voice your ideas. A poem may be interesting but it wouldn’t show how well you can write academically or follow directions. If the essay explicitly says essay don’t risk it. This website has tips specifically for the UC personal statement which you may find helpful:
[UC</a> Personal Statement Prompt #1 - Tips for Writing the UC Personal Statement Prompt #1](<a href=“http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/UC-Personal-Statement-Prompt-1.htm]UC”>Tips for Writing the UC Personal Statement Prompt #1)
[UC</a> Personal Statement Prompt #2 - Tips for Writing the UC Personal Statement Prompt #2](<a href=“http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/UC-Personal-Statement-Prompt-2.htm]UC”>Tips for the 8 UC Personal Insight Questions)</p>