<p>I'm wondering if anyone else is choosing to write this prompt and how you are going to go about doing it. SHould I write "dear roommate" and be informal or make it an essay?</p>
<p>It's not a choice. Every Stanford applicant must respond to all 3 of the short answer prompts, and pick one of the two for the extended essay.</p>
<p>I think they want you to write something informal, showing them your personality.</p>
<p>Yes, definitely go informal. The consensus seems to be that Stanford in particular values personality, but really, I think all the schoools do.. so don't worry about that!</p>
<p>so should I use very informal language like "what's up.."?</p>
<p>Use whatever's natural for you... I didn't use phrases like "what's up" because I don't talk like that, but I did just write it like I was talking to a friend (or posting on CC!). So, y'know, I did things like starting sentences with "and" or "but", having way too many '--'s, contracting things that shouldn't be contracted, whatever.</p>
<p>mine starts like this:</p>
<p>'sup man? looks like we're room mates'</p>
<p>So does it matter if there are grammar mistakes? Can I put sentence fragments on there? Will the admissions officer be a little wary if I act all formal?</p>
<p>I remember someone asking about this at a Stanford presentation we attended. The admissions officer said not to get TOO informal with this. It is meant as a short essay, not an actual letter to a roommate. Thus, while some informal language is probably fine, it shouldn't be all in slang or really silly. No email-type words, etc. It IS meant to give you a chance to show your personality and not be super-serious, but just don't overdo.</p>
<p>My first son (accepted) wrote about a special necklace he bought while on a exchange trip to Japan and then lost at Scout Camp. His point was that the changes within him would remain, even though the treasured keepsake was forever lost. It was written in somewhat informal language, but no slang at all.</p>
<p>My second son (waitlisted, went elsewhere) wrote about his love of sandwiches and how versatile they are, talking about his favorite ingredients, etc., ending with a comment to his "roommate" to keep his hands off the sandwich fixings. More informal, but very little slang.</p>
<p>I would still be careful about grammar...</p>
<p>hhmmm</p>
<p>well, i guess will say "sup bruva"</p>
<p>Thanks Susan. I didn't know if I was supposed to write about my interests in general or about a specific hobby and something else. </p>
<p>Well I guess I could tell my roommate to expect a lot of books, since I read a lot of the time.</p>
<p>Goldfish, I would go with specific, rather than general. Talk about something that didn't fit into the other essays, perhaps.</p>
<p>What are the other essay prompts?</p>
<p>The 3 short essays are...(verbatim from last years app)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Of the activities, interests and experiences listed previously, which is the most meaningful to you, and why? </p></li>
<li><p>intellectual interests is an important aspect of university life. Describe an experience or idea that you find intellectually exciting, and explain why. </p></li>
<li><p>Jot a note to your future college roommate relating a personal experience that reveals something about you.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>The two options for the long ones are (don't have the topics verbatim)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Something about an inspirational experience</p></li>
<li><p>Something else i don't remember...</p></li>
</ol>
<p>the other option for the long essay is to include a photograph and write about its significance or something</p>
<p>Is there any type of picture that will impress the admission officers? What exactly are they looking for? Something abstract?</p>
<p>probably something where your passion lies.</p>
<ol>
<li>Of the activities, interests and experiences listed previously, which is the most meaningful to you, and why?</li>
</ol>
<p>Coqui, I assume you're talking about EC's?</p>
<p>can anyone critique my note to my roommate?</p>
<p>sure, I'll be glad to</p>