Wow, I definitely did not expect that many answers! Thanks y’all
I realize this sounds a like an academic essay. I am just trying to get that one essay that will make an Adcom sit for second and think “that was smart”. But I have come to realize that I was conveying enough of myself in it, and while I still plan on talking about my passion for philosophy (especially XXth century post-war philosophy), I think I will change the focus from the “absurd” to the reasons that are making me enjoy philosophy that much.
PS: I do like big words. A lot. But I promise I will use them sparingly.
Some people are great at writing personal essays, but an essay doesn’t have to be a “personal essay” to communicate what’s most important about the author’s personality and interests. The essays of Walter Benjamin are no less personal than those of Virginia Woolf or Montaigne, notwithstanding their infrequent use of first-person pronouns. All of them would have gotten into Harvard.
Don’t stress too much. Essays don’t matter that much unless they are really awful or really excellent. I really believe they are neutral in most cases.
You can write a short thing about how much you want to study philosophy in the additional info section instead if you want. Up to you.
@morusa Applying to Princeton too? If not, maybe I’ll have to apply to Harvard as well, because I’d love to have you as a classmate! Philosophy is my sole passion too - I love learning about it and teaching it to others. I’m in much the same boat as you; I’m torn between trying to appear smart by explicating intricate paradoxes and offering my arguments in resolution (which I know full well I can do), and showing myself for the simple human that I am who loves wisdom and how philosophy has changed my life (I’ll try to do both).
I’m sure you know this already, but to many people philosophy seems useless or far too esoteric, so do your best to show how philosophy isn’t just a discipline for rigorous academics, but how humanistic it can be. I wish you the best!