Should I rant about being a girl? Or show my compassionate side?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm a girl at VT looking to transfer to UVA for engineering. Their last paragraph is "Tell us anything else you'd like us to know about you". The transfer office told me that I can use that space to write whatever I want, as long as its about me. So, I thought about writing about the struggles that i've been facing so far about being a woman in engineering (its tougher than you'd think boys...), and then saying how its made me realize that you cant judge people by a GPA or grades, much less gender, and that its making me want to become an engineer even more, just to finish my goal no matter what stands in my way.<br>
My question is, do I come off as being, well, a whiner, or even defeated? I'm trying to use a more steadfast tone, instead of "oh, look at us poor girls". that's not the point im trying to prove, i just want to point out that i'll pass whatever obstacles i face in life.<br>
however, most people write about their compassionate side, where they love everything the do in life and want to expand their horizons at the new college, ect...(there's already a "why UVA?" question)</p>

<p>any suggestions?</p>

2

<p>If you honestly write about an obstacle you have faced, provide proper support for your claims, and explain what you have learned from it, then I think your essay is fine. </p>

<p>Just make sure you don't over-dramatize the reality of the situation by lying or employing gross exaggeration, or take the occassion to criticize Virgina Tech, then I think your story about being a female in engineering is very compelling, and is not too whiny. This is just my opinion.</p>

3

<p>yeah i definently want it to show my strong side, not whiney side haha</p>

4

<p>any other ideas?</p>

5

<p>Not a good idea unless you are a minority. They want to hear more about you, your character content. Don't write about what restricted you, write about what you overcame in your path of engineering and why you really want to be an Eng. and be in UVA.</p>

<p>Picture the reader as a friend that you need to convince that you are a good person and what not, don't start off with negatives, keep a positive outlook. (Unless you have a real tragic story)</p>

6

<p>i like the idea, then again, i'm a girl who can relate to doing something boys usually do (play drums)</p>