short essay

Applying to College
1

Comments on this short essay for MIT EA?

Prompt: We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do for the pleasure of it. (100 words or fewer)

I like to correct foreign language essays. It’s partly because I’ll learn something new; “My pulchritudinous peregrination,” students title essays describing trips across France—they never stop using the most exotic words. But it’s mostly because knowing when a grammatically perfect sentence grates at the ears is the final test of fluency, my ultimate challenge. How do English speakers know that “Both versions don’t sound right” seems odd and “Neither version is correct” works better, that “It is I” appears quite formal and “It’s me” more natural? With their fascinating literal constructions, even English papers by international students can thrill me.

My own thoughts on it: I don’t think it shows much about <em>me</em>.
Also, should I not even write on this topic in the first place, if my interest in language comes out in the rest of my application?

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<p>Well, if you actually enjoy doing that, I don't see why not. But if you like something else that hasn't come out in the rest of your app, mention that. I think its well written though; I'm assuming you will tweak the wording around and stuff some more. </p>

<p>My thoughts on my own short essay are pretty much the same as yours ( for MIT RD).</p>