Quick Takes - Princeton, Stanford, Columbia, etc. Explanations?

Applying to College
1

There are several short questions like this:

List the titles of the required readings from courses during the school year or summer that you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or less)

List the titles of the books you read for pleasure that you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or less)

List the titles of the print, electronic publications and websites you read regularly. (150 words or less)

Your favorite:

  1. Book
  2. Movie
  3. Website
  4. Recording
  5. Keepsake/memento
  6. Source of inspiration
  7. Word
  8. Line from a movie or book

Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or artists. (50 word limit)

What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy? (50 word limit)

My question is: Should I actually explain my response, or just state it? For example:

Book = Pride and Prejudice (not really)

Memento = An old bowler cap (not really)

Website:

Facebook
Google
Youtube

etc.

Orshould I say: Like many other teens, I enjoy Facebook and other social media sites like X. I spend a lot of my time reading Y magazine, which I enjoy for its dry, witty takes on real-life events.

Especially for this question:

What were your favorite events (e.g., performances, exhibits, competitions, conferences, etc.) in recent years? (50 word limit)

2

I did a little bit of both, depending on how many words left I had before I hit the limit.

3

Columbia I believe specifically wants a list, no explanation. The ones that want a list want just a plain old list with no explanation.
You also want to hit on everything. For example, "Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or artists. "
You probably want 1-2 of each so 50 words is too little to add any explanation.

4

@rdeng2614 - Thanks!


[QUOTE=""]

Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or artists. (50 word limit)

[/QUOTE]

The and/or here made me think I could get away without including artists.

5

You don’t have to, but if you list them, it will give the colleges just a bit more info on who you are.