I agree. The idea is not to choose plain, vanilla, or uninspired words, or attempt to infer how ‘most’ AOs would react to a given word (or essay or EC!). IMO that can easily make a student seem ordinary, resulting in an application that is not memorable…exactly what students should be avoiding when crafting their apps.
It’s not what you “think we want.” However, it’s part of showing what they “do want.” You’ve got that or not. Nowhere is, eg, clumsy, a valued attribute. Don’t leave them wondering what you were thinking.
There’s often a dichotomy on CC, those who think it’s all about you/being yourself vs those who feel it’s the colleges’ wants. If you have no idea what the latter is, you can risk being cutesy- which isn’t any “it.”
Easy example. You can put down cat lover. We all get it. But is it relevant and does it show you understand what matters to that college?
It’s not as simple as "personality. " it’s the thinking in your answers.
So, careful with generics. But show you get it. Before you can throw in cute, have some idea you’ve earned it with every other piece.
If there are five word and four are the usual excellent attributes. I don’t think one, not controversial, honest thing, will have any impact. Perhaps marginally positive. Definately zero negative.
Prompt 3. Five words to describe yourself.
Hard-working, adventurous, kind, open minded and a bit clumsy.
Don’t see why that is any issue. Or risky.
Other more controversial or puzzles or creative to be creative stuff is a waste or time and energy.