People applying to Princeton and doing the “tell us about someone who has influenced you in a significant way” 650 word prompt, who are you guys writing about? I want to write about my mom because shes the person that influenced me the most (won’t get into the details), but I heard this can come off as cliche and overdone.
also, for the two shorter supplements (150 words), are you guys writing flowery, descriptive creative writing style language or are you getting straight into it?
Just wrote my shorter supplements. I’m trying to do a combo of both creative and concise writing, although it gets difficult when you’re trying to put a lot of detail in 150 words. Not sure what I’m doing for the long essay (I’ve written like four different drafts rip) but if I end up doing the influential person one, I’ll probably write about my dad? I’m also worried about being cliche.
Yes, there will be many, many people writing about their parents, but whether it is cliche or not depends on the actual events and circumstances you portray and how that has influenced you specifically.
There are no cliche subject; only in the way you write it.
Follow-up question: I’m submitting an arts supplement, which requires a 250 word essay. Is it pandering to mention a friend I have who’s a current student and the opportunities he’s enjoyed and/or a professor I really want to work with? Same question applies to all of the essays, really.
Personal connections are great to include as long as you connect the dots to you and why you fit for Princeton and vice versa vs just name dropping.