<p>I've been getting a lot of conflicting answers regarding this issue; most people suggest against writing about bland, hackneyed topics (though it all depends on how good a writer you are), but then agian, many suggest going downright quirky...<br>
For instance, the UC Berekely website actually suggests not being "wildly creative or hilariously funny." Would writing about an epic battle with a very sly cockroach, and how that taught me about perseverence fall under that category? Or should I just write about hardships I had to overcome in Brazil?
I would very much appreciate your input on this matter, thanks!</p>
<p>Well...I don't know what the limits of "quirky" are, but if your essay tells about YOU, you should be fine. I think what UC Berkeley meant was that they don't want you constructing some crazy story which may provide hardly any humor at all and end up not saying anything about yourself.</p>
<p>It depends on which you think would portray yourself more accurately and better.</p>
<p>THE COCKROACH!! Sorry, that already sounds awesome. I had a really creative essay (I'm hesitant to explain it online in case someone wants to steal it...feel free to message me and I'll explain it), and, working in the Admissions department, I was able to find the readers' comments on my essay (oh, sly me...I volunteered to move the purged files of those entering in 2005 because "well, I'm already sweaty and gross" so that I could read it...). They both LOVED my essay because it showed that I had spirit. An epic battle with a coachroach sounds a lot more memorable, at least to me. (Of course, I'm pretty quirky myself.) </p>
<p>Of course, if you can write an extremely well constructed essay about your hardships in Brazil and only a somewhat interesting, pointless story of the coachroach, then go with Brazil. Still, I vouch for the cochroach.</p>
<p>You know, maybe in this case it might be a good idea to stay nice and boring. This one guy I know, he wrote the most boring. essay. ever. but he still got into berkeley. I dont have the essay on hand right now but it went something along the lines of this... </p>
<p>Achoo! Ever since I was little, I have been plagued by allergies. My nose would be all stuffy when I woke up. Then I took a white pill and I was all better! (so then he starts talking about how he wants to be a doctor) Then I took "AP Biology to learn biology" (exact quote). I read health magazines in my spare time. Learning doesn't just take place in the classroom, it takes place everywhere.</p>
<p>so yeah, better stay nice and boring just incase. :D</p>
<p>Depends on the school and even the admission reader. You never know who's going to read your essay. </p>
<p>For top schools, being a little quirky and creative separates you from the crowd. That is an obvious advantage. However, it may hurt you if your admission officer raises an eyebrow at your work. It's up to you. Do you think your topic is appropriate?</p>
<p>RememberMe is absolutely right. I go to higher ranked U, and as I mentioned elsewhere, I went for quirky over bland, no "voyage of discovery" stuff, I tried that too and got sidelined at another place. Of course a lot more goes into it. I also went for a more conversational tone, dunno if thats best for everyone. No writing in blood though!</p>