<p>Are they really beneficial?
I look at them and yes, you could elaborate in unique, creative ways about the options.
But does it define anything in a student?
Or is it more of a test to see who can think outside the box most?</p>
<p>What do you guys think??</p>
<p>I think they're looking for creativity, and they're giving you prompts that you can have fun with. At the same time, every essay should tell the admissions officer a little bit about you; never get too caught up in being creative or unique that you don't put <em>yourself</em> into the essay, because that's what they are primarily looking for.</p>
<p>They all ask the same question--tell us something about you. That's ultimately what they want to know. The idea is that they read a lot of boring essays. Maybe if they come up with interesting and fun questions, they'll get interesting and fun answers rather than torture themselves.</p>
<p>I thought I heard when I attended an info session how their essay wasn't intended to be that personal...</p>