<p>How serious are they being with this? I mostly want to know about the "reading" part, since I spent most of this past summer reading quite a few books...but the fact that they included "relaxing" in their list of activities kind of confuses me!</p>
<p>Basically, I don't want to be seen as flippant if I write down reading as an activity. At the same time, I don't want them to think I spent most of my summer watching TV or playing video games.</p>
<p>I think what they want most is a sincere answer. If you list a bunch of textbooks and say you read those over the summer, they either won’t believe you or will worry that you don’t know how to unwind. They want to see that you have a passion for something. If you list reading, mention the title of a book or two. It just matters that you have interests (yes, besides watching TV, although I think I gave as my answer that my friends and I like to watch super-old scifi movies and Twilight Zone episodes and discuss them). It will be difficult to give an answer that disqualifies you somehow! They just want to see a little sincerity and a get feel for you as a person.</p>
<p>Wait, so let me get this straight…the application lists “reading” as a possible answer to a question, and you’re afraid to write down that answer? What, do you think they’re trying to trick you into writing something that will make you look bad?</p>
<p>I think this is a serious case of thinking too hard. Just write down what you did over the summer, and move on to the next section of the application. (I’m not trying to be callous, really, that’s my honest advice as to what you need to do. Also, relax a little.)</p>
<p>All right, thanks guys. I’ll just write down a few specifics.</p>
<p>I just don’t want to accidentally communicate something I didn’t intend. I’m kind of prone to that!</p>
<p>Yeah, that kinda threw me off for a second as well. I just went ahead and listed some books I’d read over summer, in addition to my other summer activities.</p>