As a general question, if I’m applying to top colleges should I tell them that I made the initiative to help improve on some of my weaknesses or would it be better to just leave out my weaknesses all together and just focus on my strengths?
<p>If you think a weakness can be turned into a strength, I hate to break it to you, but that's another weakness.</p>
<p>just kidding, but seriously, I think a lot of schools like humility, as opposed to pretending you're perfect, like a lot of kids probably do. I think it would be better to show your weaknesses than to try and convince them that you are perfect.</p>
<p>can I get another opinion from someone?</p>
<p>Do you really need one? The person who replied above is "a reliable source"!</p>
<p>Sorry, I couldn't resist.</p>
<p>What kind of weaknesses are we talking about here? An academic subject area or a major character flaw?</p>
<p>an academic subject. english/literature. This has always been my weaker subject in HS(and it also shows on my CR SAT), so I enrolled in a college literature class my senior year to help prepare me for college and received an A in the class. I also plan on retaking the SAT for a better CR score but it's doubtfull I'll get over a 700(on practice tests I'm getting around 640).</p>
<p>640 is just fine for lots of good schools.</p>
<p>My most valued advice for writing essays is to try to convey my personal voice. You can extrapolate and say that your application should have a voice, in some way. What gives written work that voice of humanity is pointing out who you are, in detail, and you, as everyone else is, is composed of different qualities some may be measured to be weaker or stronger. I think you should show, not highlight, your weaknesses alongside your strengths, for two affects: one, so you can bring out the humanity within your application, so the admissions committees who read your application can paint a full picture of you, and the other, depends on whether the problem is consistantly a problem, which, in that case, adcoms can see your weaknesses as an antithesis to your strengths that might emphasize your strengths, or if your weakness is a rough start in high school, may show to the adcoms how much you have dedicated to improve.</p>
<p>What is the general consensus about writing about "bad" qualities to achieve good things (like manipulating people for a good cause)?</p>
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What is the general consensus about writing about "bad" qualities to achieve good things (like manipulating people for a good cause)?
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<p>Sounds risky to me, especially when there are safer things you could write about just as easily. I mean, the reader could walk away with the impression that you will do whatever is necessary to achieve a good cause, or they might just get the impression that you are a skilled manipulator... not really something a lot of people look favorably on.</p>
<p>Why not put your manipulation skills to work getting them to admit you because of your good qualities?</p>
<p>Um....Everybody has weaknesses...thats just a simple fact...and colleges (yes, even "top" colleges) know AND expect this...In fact, if your app shows that you are void of any weakness it will look weird...</p>
<p>True Story: My dad was asked what his weaknesses are when he was applying to top medical schools (way back in the day...) and he told them he didnt have any...REJECTED (he eventually did get in to medical school....but thats not the point)....</p>
<p>You shouldnt avoid your weaknesses...being able to recognize and admit to your weaknesses is something that most people cant do....It shows colleges maturity...</p>