<p>This is the prompt:If you could plan a days adventure starting from your home and spending only around $10 where would you go, what would you do, and whom would you take with you? (JHU's "10$ Essay")</p>
<p>What I'm thinking of doing is a satire on our current fanatized state about terrorism and the patriot act (I strongly disagree with the patriot act). I use a mock/serious tone; In my first paragraph, I say how Bush creates the patriot act to deal with terrorism, and I say that I have a better plan. "Given a hypothetical day and a hypothetical ten dollars, I would..."</p>
<p>This would lead into my 'day's adventure'. This consists of putting a science 'volcano' experiment with baking soda and vinegar in a briefcase in the middle of some crowded area. The result? People gets scared, I (might) get arrested (if I get caught), and SECURITY IS HEIGHTENED.
(Joke) Moral/Result: See, I can heighten security and help prevent terrorism too with only ten dollars! (And I don't even need to cut down your rights to that equivalent of animals)</p>
<p>And then in the conclusion I would hammer home the point that I'm trying to make. Of course, all this is done very satirically (mock seriousness).</p>
<p>Do you guys this would be a problematic topic? Even if I make it clear I'm not seriously considering putting bombs in the public (just for the point of making a point) - I mean, people do have 10$ essays about overthrowing the government... its just that I guess this one may seem much more controversial at this time around.</p>
<ol>
<li>You do realize you typed 10$ instead of $10?</li>
</ol>
<p>2.It's a good idea if you want to get rejected and tick people off. (I mean, this doesn't say activist, it says anti-bush for no good reason and secondly terrorism is a trick subject)</p>
<p>haha I think that's so funny, and I think its extremely creative. It is not controversial at all, it shows you are interested in the field and that you know how to play around with the subject. Satire is great and different, shows a unique style and shows guts. Don't change it a bit, whether the adcom is democratic or republican, it will still be original and creative, and it will express your opinion, so definitely go for it =)</p>
<p>expressing political affiliation is usually not good. Also there ARE people who support the PATRIOT ACT so i would refrain from politics. Does it show who you are? They don't care about ur political affiliation. They care ONLY ABOUT WHO U R.</p>
<p>imiracle said what I was thinking. If the admissions officer reading it supports Patriot Act, then that could be bad for you. Also, it doesn't seem to show much about YOU. Writing a funny essay is good, but only if it tells something about you.</p>
<p>That essay would make me laugh and put you in a favourable light, if well-writtent. However, someone else could have the exact opposite reaction and throw your application in the garbage. It is your call whether or not to take the risk.</p>
<p>I really don't think that will have the effect on the adcom that you want it to. You're better off being realistic about who you are and what you actually do with the $10.</p>
<p>I don't think you need to scrap the entire idea. Maybe just make it a satire of 1984-based police states as a whole, not just Bush/Patriot Act. </p>
<p>Just a sidenote, whatever you do, do NOT mention Bush by name in this essay. A lot of his supporters seem to get really ticked off when they think you're "Bush-bashing" or "demonizing" him. You can get the point across without using his name, if it's the point you want to make.</p>
<p>...And a briefcase, however crappy, will probably cost you more than $10. Even in the hypothetical world.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You're better off being realistic about who you are and what you actually do with the $10.
[/quote]
Meh, that sounds kinda boring unless you really do a beastly job of writing it. =</p>
<p>I really like the concept. Yes, you make your politics very clear, but that is who you are. Would you be happy at a college that would reject you because of your political beliefs?</p>
<p>In these Patriot days, I'd be concerned that the adcoms might feel that the law required them to turn you in for being a potential terrorist. Sad statement about our society, but true. I don't think that you should take that kind of risk.</p>
<p>You'd be taking a real gamble that the adcom will not only have a sense of humor, but will have a sense of humor that matches yours. I don't find your idea very funny, myself, and I'm about as disgusted with our current administration as one gets. I think this is a lose, lose propostition. If the adcom's politics are different from yours, the essay will irritate them. If the adcoms politics are similar, your essay will irritate them, too, because right now our democracy is in such peril that jokes like the ones you've proposed are not even funny anymore.</p>
<p>I don't know about your topic. It doesn't argue the Patriot Act tactfully or respectfully to other side (I realize that's your point). The adcoms might just see you as one of those who like to pick fights.... not a good reflection on your character.</p>
<p>Now that I think about it, I find myself agreeing with chammom. Nobody wants to read stale essays. Give them something to think about. Heck, if I was an adcom, I would WANT people in my college who are willing to pick fights (not physically, you know what I mean) over subjects that they feel passionately about.</p>
<p>Just don't make it offensive. You can easily make your point without being offensive. I think adcoms are intelligent and mature enough individuals that, even if they were Republicans, they would not be offended by you cleverly satirizing the American political situation.</p>
<p>I want to clarify my last post. I like the concept of an essay that does not shy away from your strong political views. However, I don't like the context. The thought of planting a fake bomb, even as satire, can be viewed as insensitive to the real fear and panic that would cause, and could seem disrespectful of those who lost lives or loved ones to real terrorrist acts. I think you can make the same points a different way. Edgy is good; insensitive is not. I am not saying that you are insensitive, I'm just saying that you might appear so in your essay.</p>