repeating answers on supplements?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm just glancing over the college supplements and seem to be stuck in coming up with fresh, clever answers. My question is how much weight do the elite colleges put on the supplements and whether or not I should repeat the same answer for two different questions.</p>

<p>For example, the Yale supplement asks:
"What would you do with a free afternoon?" and
"What do you wish you were better at being or doing"</p>

<p>I'm really impressed by digital artists, so if I had a free afternoon, I would practice digital art (painting on Photoshop, etc.). Likewise, I also wish I was better at digital art. Would using the same answer for those two questions show consistency or lack of creativity?</p>

<p>That's just one example, the bigger question is whether or not I can use the same answers or similar answers for multiple questions on the supplement. Maybe I'm putting way too much emphasis on the supplements?</p>

2

<p>From what I’ve read and been thru with my son’s application process last year, here are my thoughts: treat each question as a way to let the Adcom get to know you in a new or deeper way. You can stay on the same topic if you want (whether it’s the same or different topic is a relatively minor point) but let answer each reveal more about you–curious about this because…, love that because…, discovered this that led to that…If you can also fit in how a particular course or interest can be fufilled at the college you’re applying to–all the better! Be as specific as possible.</p>

<p>Because these are short answers, they’ll be harder in many ways because you should make each word count. Try just quickly writing what comes to you, set it aside for a few days, edit it at least once, then ask someone whose opinion you value to read and see what they think. Good luck!</p>