I was looking at past prompts and I really liked the “destroy a question with your answer” Susan Sontag one. I decided to respond in a poem but it is only 280 words (my style is very brief/abrupt). I know the suggested word count is around 500 words for the extended essay, but I’m very satisfied with my poem. Any opinions on whether or not I should extend it/write a new response completely?
Thanks!
You should know that a lot of students aim to be different by writing their essays as poems. As such, the bar is higher, for you, as you really need to impress on AO’s that this is more than a gimmick.
I would suggest you have someone else look at the essay, and see what they think. In the meantime, if you aren’t pressed for time with several other applications to complete by Jan. 1st, it can’t hurt to write another essay, so you’ll have options beyond “submit this essay or write something in 2 hours” on the evening of Dec. 31.
Mine was approximately that length and I got in. If it is great, length does not matter.
What is your point in submitting that particular essay?
Does your poem indicate that you would be a good fit for their campus? Does it make the reader want to meet you, to have you attend his campus?
Does it give them a reason to say yes?
If not, then why include it as part of your college application???