Reed supplement: Graded essay?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Reed College
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<p>Well... I was glancing through the Common App supplements for the schools I want to apply to (glad I did, Reed and Wake Forest both seem to have fun ones!) and saw that Reed requires you to turn in one graded essay/research paper/piece of creative writing from your high school career... I think this is a great idea, as it doesn't allow you to edit it, and it shows how you apply yourself in school. Anyway, I have a somewhat zany (and short) essay I originally wrote for APUSH in which Lewis and Clark have an affair, but one of them (Lewis, I think) turns out to be bigfoot, and Sacajawea sees bigfoot about to give clark head, and freaks out... The historical part of it is actually accurate (it got a 100, as well as the teacher comment "You are a disturbed young man! But also gifted. This could be a novel for old women.") and it's pretty well-written... It's homoerotic and hilarious, so I'm assuming I shouldn't send this, but part of me really wants to, as it shows what kind of person I am... I'm never really serious as far as attitude... I'm very laid back and amusing, but I still manage to get things done, though in my own way. When I get an assignment, I like to make it mine, not going "out of bounds" but still putting my own flair on it, while accomplishing what I'm expected to. </p>

<p>So... Good idea to send it, or bad idea? It's definitely the most unusual essay I've ever written, but it probably shows who I am better than any other one. Plus, I think whoever gets to read it in the admissions office would enjoy a break from research papers and narratives that will surely be popular... And I can always furthet demonstrate my writing abilities in my Common App and Why Reed essays... So, send the strange, homoerotic essay, or find something more mundane and conventional? </p>

<p>Not a troll post! Thanks in advance!</p>

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<p>Bumpity bump bump bumpity bump bump look at bumpy go!=P</p>

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<p>The point of the essay as I understand it is not to show who you are, that’s the point of the common app. essay and Why Reed essay, but to show your writing skills since Reed is extremely writing rigorous. They want to know if you can express your thoughts in a formal class setting. I feel like if the essay is well written, gramatically correct, and shows your writing ability then it is fine. Don’t use the essay simply because it is entertaining. That’s just my take though. My essay was weak and I believe that was one of the main reasons I was waitlisted even though I was well qualified in other parts of my application (35 ACT, 4.23 GPA etc.) and was accepted to other more selective schools. Reed is amazing though, and I never visited (another black spot on my app.) but I heard the school is gorgeous.</p>

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<p>I slightly disagree with PAG. After visiting Reed last summer and getting to meet tons of quirky, zany people, I think your essay sounds perfect. Reed isn’t just looking for someone who is smart- they’re looking for a person who would be the right fit for their tight-knit community. From your description of the essay, it sounds like it would really show a personality that Reedies exemplify, and I think it would give you that extra boost on your app. That’s just my opinion :)</p>

<p>On the other hand though, I don’t know what purpose the graded essay is supposed to serve. I’m not applying (mom is afraid I’ll turn into a pot-smoking hippie…), but I feel like the fact that they leave it up to you to choose the type of essay means it’s simply to get greater insight into who you are. If anything, that essay will make you stand out!</p>

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<p>Make sure the essay is your best writing is what I meant. From online about Reed Admissions “Reed, like other rigorous liberal arts colleges, has a writing-intensive curriculum. Reed students are far more likely to get assigned analytical papers, lab reports, take-home essay exams, and, of course, a senior thesis than they are to be given multiple choice tests or graded essays administered under severe time constraints.”</p>

<p>I think I found out answer. We are both right, the essays and graded writing sample are to show your personality and your writing ability is on-par for Reed. “The application essays we ask applicants to write and the graded high school writing assignment we ask applicants to submit more accurately reflect the kind of writing students do in Reed courses. From those samples of writing, the Reed admission committee gauges the applicant’s facility with written expression and draws conclusions about the applicant’s ability to navigate a writing-intensive curriculum successfully. The required essays and graded writing sample also provide the admission committee with a glimpse into the personalities and passions of our applicants. At a college that prizes independent thought, inculcates analytical acumen, and cultivates intellectual rigor, what the applicant selects to write about, what the applicant chooses to send, and how well those essays are written helps convey readiness for Reed far better than the score achieved on a time-limited writing exam.”</p>

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<p>I find it funny that Reed asks for your graded essay to see your personality. My only graded essays from school were boring (IMO) english essays discussing themes that had narrow prompts. Especially since I did not have a good English 4 AP essay since we hadn’t done any long essays for that class before applications were due. My common app. essay was good but Reed should go the way of UChicago and inspire its applicants to write creatively by issuing prompts or allowing a student to make their own prompt.</p>

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<p>I agree completely. I don’t think any of my graded essays would be interesting or showcase my personality in any way.</p>

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<p>Agreed with the above statement… However, I also like the graded paper idea because it checks to see if you’re applying yourself in school. </p>

<p>Thanks for all the information guys! Still feeling conflicted about sending it, but we’ll see!</p>

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<p>I had sorta a change of heart, I think you should send it! If it shows your humorous side, your creative abilities, and writing competency it is perfect! Don’t worry about it being vulgar, Reed is very liberal, and at least it will cause an admissions counselor to have a reaction, good or bad. It will stand out, that’s for sure. Good luck!</p>

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<p>This shouldn’t even be a debate. “Homoerotic and hilarious” practically defines Reed. Use it!</p>

<p>The thing about applying to Reed is that your essays can never be too weird or crazy, as long as they’re not hurtful or offensive.</p>

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<p>Pagrok, IMO, Reed doesn’t ask for a graded paper to show your personality.
They ask for a graded paper to have another source of information about your academic preparedness, and the level of instruction in your school.
A paper with detailed teacher comments will fill that purpose, your essay perhaps not.
What are you supposed to get out of a comment like " this could be a novel for old women"?</p>

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<p>Well Reed says “The required essays and graded writing sample also provide the admission committee with a glimpse into the personalities and passions of our applicants.” So you are completely wrong in your opinion. The essay shows the humor, creativity, and quirkiness of the OP, they should send the essay as long as it is well written according as a academic English essay. Also the essay can be simply graded or have comments.</p>

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<p>

Where do they say that? Not in the application packet.

</p>

<p>If you think writing about an attempted sex act for a high school class is appropriate and illustrates your writing ability, quality of character & commitment to learning in the best light, have at it.
;)</p>

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<p>I don’t think anyone at Reed would be bowled over by the inappropriateness of it… In fact, my own essays touched on even less appropriate subjects and here I am.</p>

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<p>I didn’t say they would be shocked, I’m sure they realize that high school students are trying to prove how worldy and " quirky" they are.</p>

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<p>Sex is hardly quirky, though. It’s actually the most conventional thing.</p>

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<p>Emeraldkitty: [Reed</a> College | Admission | Reed College Admission Office](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/apply/news_and_articles/sat_opinion.html]Reed”>http://www.reed.edu/apply/news_and_articles/sat_opinion.html). </p>

<p>Please read all of this, it will help you understand Reed’s admission process. My quoted passage is from the 6th paragraph. Would you like to backup your own quote? Why would you try to contradict my quote if I state comes from Reed? I wouldn’t quote a false source.</p>

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<p>Paul wrote that at least six years ago & is no longer at Reed, he left shortly after he recieved his MALs if I remember correctly.</p>

<p>This quote is more important than the bit you chose anyway.</p>

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<p>My quote is from the current application form, top of the second page.
<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/apply/applying_to_reed/applications/Reed_2011_App_Instruct.pdf[/url]”>http://www.reed.edu/apply/applying_to_reed/applications/Reed_2011_App_Instruct.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>*
Sex is hardly quirky, though. It’s actually the most conventional thing.*</p>

<p>Not if you’re doing it right.
;)</p>

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<p>The OP will do as they choose fit. And we were specifically addressing the use of the graded essay so that is why I used the quote specifically speaking of the graded essay. Your quotes are on the general guidelines to Reed’s admission process and so do not help determine the purpose of the graded essay.</p>