<p>I understand that the general approach here would be to talk about an inspiring song, experiment, breakthrough, novel, etc. But, would it be too off topic to talk about one of my experiences in music? Could I talk about a specific music performance and how that surprised me by how proud of myself I was? Or, would that be seen as not following the prompt. I know these are meant to show our creativity, but I don't want to be looked past for a stupid mistake. Thanks.</p>
<p>I think you should follow the prompt more closely. I think the way you are phrasing it sounds like bragging. I think the question is supposed to be how you changed your mind about something idea-wise, because of a work of art.</p>
<p>I don’t think they mean a musical performance of yours. I think they are asking how a particular composition (for example) cracked open the door for new insights for you, or something like that. “‘The Art of Fugue’ completely turned my understanding of music inside out, and suddenly I saw music and mathematics as two sides of the same discipline. Now I hear melodies every time I see a new formula, and I’m working on an application to mathematically compare Lady Gaga songs to each other. I still haven’t figured out how to fit the lyrics in, but that will come, I’m sure.”</p>
<p>@FCCDAD Oh come on now. So you’re telling me that you literally hear a melody when you see Euler’s identity? Music and math are my two biggest passions, and I still would dismiss that as quixotic speech. I apologize for being mean, but it’s sad that adcoms would actually eat something like that up. </p>
<p>When my son (class of 2017) first read the question when he was applying, he started thinking about what had “inspired” him as well. Then he re-read the question, and came to the conclusion that going down the “inspired” path was not what was being asked. It seems deliberate that the question omits the word “inspired” and instead uses “surprised, unsettled, or challenged.” Why is this important? Because it relates to a student’s ability to learn. It implies that there’s a desire to see (in the essay example) a student’s openness to reason, or ability to question previously held ideas and not just try to see the things that are an affirmation of their already held beliefs. It completely changes the question when you think about it.</p>
<p>@bassGuitar Yes, that’s the point of the eSchool question - to get you to come up with something that is actually attainable. UVA’s engineering philosophy (especially within the Rodman program) is that engineering is about solving problems, not creating elaborate designs that can’t be implemented due to complexity or cost. It’s one of the things that we liked about UVA. It’s also one of the things smart businesses look for in their recruiting. Knowing the engineering basics is of course important. Understanding the cost and manufacturing implications is ever more important.</p>
<p>The engineering question evolved because too many people were writing about the things they thought we wanted to hear. I can’t tell you have many times I’ve read about putting solar panels on every roof or purifing all the water (we’ve been working on water purification processes for years here). Those essays don’t take much thought. So, we retooled the essay to give students license to be a little creative.</p>
<p>As for the College question, I think @grp2013 gets it. You’re about to embark on a period of pretty profound growth and development. I think you can tell a story that broadcasts that you have intellectual curiosity in this essay. Just remember that this isn’t an academic exercise. This is about your response to something. We get a lot of “book report” style essays that summarize something without giving us insight into the individual. </p>
<p>@Dean J What do you mean retooled it? As I see it now, it looks like many students will go for the water purifying/solar panel ones. I had a really cool and high-brow idea for it, but that got shot down when I reread it, because it was something that there might not be the technology for for a few decades, and I realized that you all were probably looking for something small and able to be done yourself. But it was unique and interesting. </p>
<p>@BassGuitar Wait, when you see Euler’s identity, you don’t here the music? C’mon, e, i, pi – they all have such a nice tone to them
Thanks to everyone else for answering. I realized when I started writing the original essay that it wasn’t good anyways, I’ll try to think of something amazing to write about</p>
<p>Don’t try to think of “something amazing” to write about. Try to find something (anything) to write about so that the writing gives people a wonderful new understanding of <em>you</em> when they read it.</p>
