<p>For the common app essay, I am thinking of writing a poem as a personal statement. Do you think this is a giant mistake? I will write it very well and if it doesn't seem to work out I already have a good essay to use instead. I really want my essay to stand out (in a good way), as it will be a major deciding factor in some of the schools i am applying to, as my grades and test scores are good but nothing steller. The essay is mainly geared for admission to Grinnell and Bowdoin.</p>
<p>No offense, but I don't think that's all that unique. I've heard about a lot of people writing poems. What I've seen in terms of admissions offices' reactions to it has generally indicated that it's a bad idea. They mostly said that it's a waste of space and you could tell more about yourself through prose. If it's a damn good poem, though, I'd say go for it.</p>
<p>I haven't often heard it be used. I understand that its been done before, but I thought it is at least unusual. Could you specify how you heard about admissions offices' reactions (im just curious). I'm just trying to find a different way then the run of the mill admissions essay.</p>
<p>If you have some experience and skill at poetry, this idea might work.</p>
<p>i am by no means an expert, but i will work very closely with an excellent english teacher who knows a great deal about poetry and how to write it.</p>
<p>Without seeing your poem, I'll share that this thought came into my head when I read your post. Poetry uses fewer words than prose essays, with the idea to evoke interpretation and imagination. After reading a poem, a reader can't be absolutely sure if the author's intended meaning has been received. That's as it should be, since poetry is an art form.</p>
<p>If the app asks for an essay and you send them a poem, to me, it compares to a company requesting you send them a black-and-white headshot photograph of yourself. Instead, you decide to paint an abstract painting that interprets your personality into shapes and colors, or have an impressionist painter make a very fuzzy oil portrait of you. </p>
<p>The artwork may be beautiful but do they really know what you will be like, in person, after they see a piece of art that interprets you?</p>
<p>The up-side is that it is original and will stand out from the crowd. </p>
<p>One thing to do is; just write it and then compare! Take it to some people, along with the essay you have as backup, and ask them, especially your English teacher.</p>
<p>Remember your goal, too. You're not entering a writing contest for poetry. You could write a great poem but if it leaves too many questions unanswered for the committee, that's a problem. </p>
<p>Is there a way to work in some of the poem, as a paragraph within the essay?</p>
<p>I'm not sure what you should do, but just wanted to share my thoughts.</p>
<p>PS, I just reread your post that the grades are "good but nothing stellar." That actually could be reason to do something a bit different, like a poem, to show you can take a risk and pull it off.</p>
<p>I'd look in some standard college advice books, too; I bet that it's been discussed there before. If your research among many respected books says, absolutely don't use a poem instead of an essay, then listen to that.</p>
<p>Finally, how about just calling up the Admissions departments at those two colleges and ask to speak to an Admissions Counselor? They might actually give you a clear "yes" or "no" answer in one second flat.</p>
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i will work very closely with an excellent english teacher who knows a great deal about poetry and how to write it
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<p>This raises a new issue imo. "Working with" someone on an essay or other submission creates the possibility that your own genuine voice will be lost or compromised in the suggestions/guidance of the other person.</p>
<p>For this same reason, I always advise students to only get limited criticism from others, and to never accept any advice that does not seem genuine, authentic to oneself, regardless of the source of the advice.</p>
<p>For ways to avoid "run of the mill" essays, see</p>
<p>Voice and writer of the essay is not a problem. I am not consulting him for content/ideas, but what to cut out, should I include this, how do i say this well, etc. I am well aware of the pitfalls of writing admissions essays with the guidance of others. As for my poem, he (my english teacher) said he loved the idea and thought what i had written was very good. I need some kind of hook or a way to stand out to have any chance at all, so its either do something like this and take a risk, or don't do anything and have an almost guaranteed denial.</p>
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but what to cut out, should I include this, how do i say this well, etc.
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<p>All of these matters are important aspects of your voice.</p>
<p>Be that as it may, it sounds as if you've made up your mind about this. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>I understand that, I have read numerous books on college essays (5 to be exact). He is not the teacher that tells you x, y and z, but guides you to make the changes yourself, as a teacher should.</p>