<p>I've been reading into Katherine Cohen's "Rock Hard Apps" and in it she gives examples of personal essays that haven't exactly appeared in essay form. Would it be appropriate to answer a personal essay prompt in the form of an original musical composition, or a videotape of original choreography of dance created to signify the person's life/personality?</p>
<p>hmm...sounds "different" but they ask for an essay, not a musical</p>
<p>I think it can be a supplementary, but it wouldn't be a good idea to substitute it for the essay</p>
<p>Quote from Cohen's book citing a Brown adcom:</p>
<p>"Students ahve sent in poetry, music lyrics, travelogues, and interactive CD-ROMs instead of essays and these have worked well...It's not about who can come up with the most creative topic but about who provides the most interesting insights into their character."</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>"Out of the box" is my credo. Here's what MY belief is, IF you're a kid who is an "out of the box" thinker/doer/learner, with talent in an area that can help you shine, then YES do what you wish.</p>
<p>My D was accepted into a "top LAC" (a reach for her) and her "essays" were "out of the box" One was a fictional article/interview written about her and one of her ECs-NOT something she plans on majoring in in college, but a HUGE passion; and one was a 4 year "diary" of another EC that she has pursued in depth (for 4 years). Granted, her recs reflected both ECs, and that had to have helped. Regardless, an admin said her "essays" stood out favorably, and showed "true passion, commitment, and creativity"</p>
<p>Look, this is YOUR moment to stand out (positively) from thousands just like you. You can either wear the same "uniform" as the others or you can be yourself. </p>
<p>Just DON'T try to be someone/something you're not, admins WILL see through it. They've seen every "trick in the book!"</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>Well when I applied to Harvey Mudd, on the supplement, they had the essay option of:
Tell us about yourself. We know which activities you do and what your academic records looks like, but what don't we know? What fun, cool, or interesting things about you won't fit into categories on the application? Feel welcome to be clever of funny, or write in a way that reflects your personality.
Thus, when this was presented to me, I actually wrote a poem in the conventional pattern of rhyming couplets that shared quirky facts about me and looking back I think this was one of the main things that really helped me to get accepted.</p>
<p>i heard about this student who was applying to harvard. one of the essay topics was smthg like "write the boldest thing you have ever done"
he wrote:
"This."</p>
<p>he got in.</p>
<p>maybe we should stop sharing stories just in case someone is thinking the same thing, and doesn't wanna it to be considered taking</p>
<p>Negru- that is awesome. Thanks all.</p>