<p>Does the roommate essay have to reveal a personal side of you? I am thinking about writing a community service event I did. I want to show how I am devoted to the community, and also sneak in some facts about my religion. However, the essay will not be a super "personal" essay but more of an extracurricular essay. I think the essay will still show some of my personal qualities, but do you guys think that this is a stretch for the roommate essay?</p>
<p>None of the essays “have” to be something about anything.</p>
<p>It’s up to you to decide what you would like to let them know. </p>
<p>I know this doesn’t really help, but perhaps write the essay about qualities not expressed in the other parts of the app.</p>
<p>Think about what the application already says about you: you have two essays about your own experiences and what matters to you, a full common app essay, and a list of ECs. The roommate essay is supposed to reflect who you are as a person, to let the reader imagine sitting down and having coffee with you or something. </p>
<p>Look at it this way: you want to make them feel like they know you well enough after reading that roommate essay that they feel bad even thinking about rejecting your app.</p>
<p>IMO, this essay is intended to show a personal aspect of yourself. My S got into Stanford last year (Class of 2015) and his essay was very personal. He gave a description of himself… likes, habits, religion… and then spoke about what he would like in his roommate. I just finished reading it again. It was pretty direct and well written. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply! </p>
<p>Wow. I am sure your son wrote an amazing essay for Stanford. Do you think you can send me a copy of your son’s essay as a reference? Thanks a bunch!</p>