Putting a ":)" on application?

<p>What Neurology said. </p>

<p>You can’t control when the admissions officer reads your application, thus, you can’t control how the admissions officer interprets your smiley. However, you mention that you would put the smiley after a “modestly rebellious” comment. The officer might take that as a sign of indignation or sarcasm (though I would be quite amused and wonder more about this applicant). I’m not arguing whether that is good or bad. </p>

<p>This may turn into a philosophical dilemma of personal principle, so I will not say anything further. Neurology basically summed up my opinion effectively but bluntly. :-)</p>

<p>It isn’t about following directions, it is that everybody and there brother puts the same 5 words down there to describe themselves, and it is never actually an actual representation of who the person is. There just seems something wrong about trying to describe my entire being in 5 generic turns.</p>

<p>And about the :). While I am still not entirely convinced as to either side, I think at the very least acknowledge that it isn’t professional by convention. But that isn’t to say some professionals don’t use it. Perhaps it would project confidence, maybe just arrogance. It’s amazing how much a smiley can do.</p>

<p>Then think of new and inventive words! As they say, it’s all about showing rather than telling. Show that you can be creative and humorous by using unconventional words to describe yourself; don’t outright reject the prompt altogether with a response that is less than amusing.</p>

<p>I will guarantee you that you are not the first person to refuse to give them five conventional adjectives. I don’t know what college this is, but I’d be this is one of those questions designed to test your creativity, flexibility and sense of humor. IMO, if you can come up with a witty, graceful way to tell them you can’t be described in five words, they will eat it up. </p>

<p>However, also IMO, your current statement plus a smiley face isn’t either witty or graceful. </p>

<p>They are asking a relatively “quirky” question. Quit being so sanctimonious and give them a quirky answer back.</p>

<p>it depends how young the adcom is…</p>

<p>just from my first impression from reading ur “5 words”…“refuse” is a bit harsh and makes u sound more defiant and arrogant than rebellious…just my thought.</p>

<p>DEPENDS!
If this is in a brief, informal, and personal paragraph about yourself, I might add it at the end if I have characters to spare.</p>

<p>However, formal introductions, supplements, long personal essays definitely should be avoided.</p>

<p>I refuse to reduce myself to 5 words
Isn’t that 8 words?
Don’t play with adcoms if you would like to be admitted.<br>
Look, they aren’t asking for five words to get to know you as a bud. It’s not a little party game. I see it as a test of your ability to jump through a hoop of sorts- and, your response should reveal traits they would like at their school, among their students. Rebellion has its place. Absolutely. But a college app isn’t necessarily it.
Is this for Stanford? Double the “don’t play with them” advice.</p>