<p>I'm working on an essay the focuses on what I've learned after receiving an integrity referral. I didn't cite my sources correctly for a paper and received one :(
I don't know if it's bad to bring more attention to it but I figured since I have to report it on my application anyways why not</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s risky if they’re going to know about it anyway. But it’s not a very interesting topic.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s a good idea. You’re brining extra attention to it, and it may seem like you’re just using your essay to cover up the integrity referral. My senior year English teacher drilled into us that colleges really care about these things. You could end up in the Dean’s Office for things that seem slight in high school.</p>
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<p>I agree. What is it about YOUR integrity referral that would be different from anyone else’s? If you have an unusual story that only you tell, then it might be a worthwhile topic. But, if your essay could have been written by any student at your school, or thousands of other students across the country, then you should skip it. </p>
<p>I once heard Peter Johnson, a Senior Admissions Director at Columbia University, give this tip on essays: “Your essay should be so personal and specific that if it fell out of your backpack at school, and it didn’t have your name on it, that if a classmate who you knew you well found it in the hallways of your school, that classmate should be able to read it, immediately know that it was your essay, and return it to you.”</p>
<p>Is that the kind of essay you are planning to write? Or, is it more of “I’ve learned my lesson and will never do it again” kind of thing.</p>
<p>AAAcollege: From your other thread, I know you are having writer’s block. The key with all 5 essay topics this year – at least from my point of view – is to think about what other students might write about . . . and then come up with something completely unique and different that is specific only to you. For example, this year many students are going to write about their favorite place being their room. You have to think about what other students might write about – the sports or music posters decorating their walls, the blue or pink or black colors of the walls, the coziness of their bed etc. If you can’t think of something specific that pertains only to you – that not many other students will write about – your essay is not going to stand out in the crowd, so move on to another idea. I once knew two teenagers who shared the same room. One of them lived in a tent inside the room because they wanted privacy. Now THAT student could write a unique and interesting essay that’s going to make them stand out in the applications process. Most everyone has some quirky story that they are embarrassed to tell someone about themselves – and that’s what you need to write about – something so specific that only you could write it. Good luck!</p>
<p>I feel it could easily come off with a somewhat facetious tone to it. I sorta doubt any teenager truly feels bad about citing sources incorrectly, so writing about it might give the impression of being condescending/sarcastic (definitely not a good thing).</p>
<p>Thank you all for the advice
@gibby those examples are really helping me :)</p>