<p>i have a creative idea but i feel like stanford would want me to take this question seriously. any help, especially from admits, would be really appreciated.</p>
<p>If you’re a good writer and think you can pull it off w/o having it look like you’re trying too hard, DO IT. Nearly all of my essays were “creative” and, when well done, they can absolutely make you stand out.</p>
<p>pewpewpew, do u mind if i pm you my idea to see what you think of it? I think it’s original but maybe others have done this.</p>
<p>I’m shocked you even asked. If you have a creative idea, go for it!!!</p>
<p>Although it does depend on what your other essays are, if they are all lighthearted then you may want to make one of them more serious, but if you already have a serious essay or two and you have a good idea about how to make this one creative, then I think you should go ahead with it.</p>
<p>The break down for my Stanford essays was: roommate and main common app were lighthearted, intellectual vitality and why stanford were serious. But as you know, there is no formula for getting in.</p>
<p>Another thing, in your post you seem to be implying that serious=not creative. You can be serious and creative at the same time.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>thanks firehose… i guess i was subconsciouly equating a serious essay with a pedestrian one. I’ve started writing the essay and i like the tone of honesty it has so far. My only concern is that it might seem that i am trying too hard</p>
<p>The Why Stanford essay is generally the most straightforward. They want to know that you genuinely want to attend Stanford and they want to know that you’ve done your research, which means you should be as specific as possible when writing about what you want out of your Stanford education and how you would fit Stanford. It’s probably a bit difficult to do all of this AND put a creative twist on it in 1800 characters, but, if you can pull it off, then by all means do it.</p>