<p>Can someone read one of my writing supplement essays? I'm not sure if the writing/topic is "Columbia" quality, and am in need of some advice. Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m willing to read if you don’t mind, but I’m also applying this year.</p>
<p>That would be great, thank you! Can I send it to you in a message or something?</p>
<p>js send me a private message.</p>
<p>there is no “Columbia” writing quality. Just write it how you would say it (just with no slang, bad words, etc.). It should NOT be poetic, metaphorical, etc., they hate that. It’s better just to be nice and straightforward.</p>
<p>Thanks satman! That’s really helpful, I always get too carried away!</p>
<p>When you say that they hate poetic essays, do you think that it would be bad for my essay on a book/movie/etc if I wrote my piece on a Cormac McCarthy novel in my usual writing vocabulary which is kind of flowery? Should I pull it back to more natural speaking-style diction?</p>
<p>I don’t think it would be a problem unless your vocabulary is extremely embellished. Columbia is more interested in the insights you’ve gained from the book than your writing skill, even though your writing skill is another important factor. However, good writing doesn’t always require flowery vocab.</p>
<p>I can’t private messages yet because I haven’t made fifteen posts, so I’ll just post it here:</p>
<p>Please tell us what you found meaningful about one of the above mentioned books, publications or cultural events. (300 words or less)</p>
<p>Like most teenagers, I have many faces. In class, I wear a stoic, unfeeling expression of diligence as I take notes. At school and in public, my face is contorted to be as friendly and agreeable as possible. At cross country practice, I wear the cool expression of a confident leader to the underclassman.</p>
<p>At New York City Comic-Con, referred to as NYCC by its loyal patrons, I am liberated from the various identities I don in everyday life. How? By adopting a new one.</p>
<p>This paradoxical ideology is something felt strongly by myself and the thousands of others like me that flock to the Javits Center every October to adorn masks, wigs, body paint, spandex, capes, horns, and other costumes to celebrate their favorite comic series, anime or video game. At NYCC, individuals can temporarily escape from the mundanity or stress of their everyday identities and become something incredible. </p>
<p>Every October, for one weekend, I put on make-up, a costume, and a wig and transform myself into a new and exciting character from the fictional world of anime and video games. A space where I am surrounded by countless individuals as enthusiastic as myself, NYCC is where my friends and I retreat each year to socialize with others like us. Dressed as cartoon characters alongside my friends is the most fun I have all year.</p>
<p>At NYCC, I am not a student with a GPA to maintain. At NYCC, I am not an athlete who bears the responsibility of leading her team as its captain. For one weekend, I’m just another crazy person in a costume.</p>
<p>First of all, I think what you write about in the essay is pretty special. However, I personally think you spent way too many words describing the settings and your experience. In your book/ cultural event essay, you want to tell about what you’ve learnt, what personal insights you’ve gained the most, instead of just describing the story, which the admission officers might not care about as much.</p>
<p>Thanks! That’s great advice. Much appreciated!</p>
<p>I decided to take a different approach. How’s this? </p>
<p>In class, I am a diligent and agreeable student. After school at cross country practice, I am a dedicated athlete and make an effort to be a poised and capable leader. I bear a myriad of different identities and responsibilities, and I often find myself questioning whether I truly have the character to fulfill all of these roles effectively.</p>
<p>At New York City Comic-Con, referred to as NYCC by its patrons, I am liberated from my various identities. How? By adopting a new one.</p>
<p>This paradoxical ideology is something felt strongly by myself and the thousands of others like me that flock to the Javits Center every October to adorn masks, wigs, body paint, spandex, capes, horns, and other costumes to celebrate their favorite comic series, anime or video game. At NYCC, individuals can temporarily escape from the stress of their everyday identities and become something incredible. </p>
<p>NYCC enables me to embrace the persona of an exciting, interesting character from the fictional world of anime and video games. Clad in the garb of a brave protagonist, I can identify myself with their strength and courage. I can visualize myself in a different way and uncover a new confidence. However, when I take off my wig and realize it’s still me underneath, I feel that the strength, bravery, and confidence I embodied throughout the weekend may not have been entirely based in fantasy. </p>
<p>At NYCC, I dress like a hero. For the rest of the year, I feel like I am one. I come home from the convention each year with a renewed sense of belief in myself. After all, maintaining my studies and leading my cross country teams are menial responsibilities for someone capable of saving the world.</p>
<p>you see, don’t you feel this one is a much stronger essay?</p>
<p>How do you know that Columbia hates poetic essays?</p>