<p>Does anyone suggest writing in third person/telling a first person narrative about actually being at the school? I’m applying to Penn, and although I’m not the world’s greatest creative writer, I am interested in creative writing as a hobby and would like to participate in their Kelly’s Writer’s House. I was thinking about writing a very short narrative about waking up on campus at the Writer’s House, heading to classes in the academic programs that I think are good for me, then going to participate in the other extracurriculars I like. Is that too cheesy/cliched/obnoxious?</p>
<p>i wrote almost exclusively about the Rodin statues that can be found on campus. they’re not looking for anything in particular - except honesty.
(i was accepted, by the way.)</p>
<p>Hello, all - </p>
<p>The suggestions you’ve given so far are great, but I haven’t actually visited all of the schools I am applying for, although I have done extensive research on them (my father lost his job early in the year, and we can’t really afford to travel unless I am accepted into these places). Do any of you have any advice for me, in light of the fact that I can’t write a stunning narrative about how inspiring my college visit was? I don’t want my response to be some sob story/excuse about why I could not visit campus.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>You <em>can</em> visit the websites</p>
<p>But the campus would just be one aspect. And not an important one at that. I doubt saying ‘i love the infrastructure’ will make the admissions officers accept a kid anyway.
So i don’t think campus visits count a lot.</p>
<p>Seems like the goal is to anticipate this rebutttal: “Your description could fit x number of other colleges. Why US?” </p>
<p>As in: “You said you like Columbia because it’s in New York. So is Fordham and Iona and NYU and Brooklyn College.” </p>
<p>The unstated assumption is “well, Columbia has more prestige.” Which isn’t good enough. You want to capture something important to you that is undeniably unique. Could be a combination of things, but it needs to express some insight and awareness, and it should be something that reflects the seriousness of the choice.</p>
<p>This is probably an infuriating answer, but…if you’re looking to get an idea from someone else on how to make your piece unique, said idea probably won’t be.</p>
<p>I started my Stanford essay with a “chemical” equation (well, formatted like a chemical equation but instead of compounds I put in other things). I made some “scientific” observations about the equation (i.e. things you could say about a real chemical equation, but fitted to this one) and claimed that the equation made Stanford a good place for me. The second half of my essay basically explained (in a normal way) why Stanford was good for me as a prospective chemical engineer and musician.</p>
<p>The important thing to remember is to mention things specific to Stanford. Don’t just say such and such program is good or that they have good facilities because those things can be said about many schools. My initial draft was like that, but I changed it so that I mentioned things such as professors, Silicon Valley, Stanford “Band,” etc.</p>
<p>And … as much as I liked my “Why Stanford?” essay (I mean, I thought it was kind of cool to demonstrate my academic interests in a more cleverish way than a straightforward way) … after I got accepted and got a little note from the admissions officer, she mentioned enjoying one of my other essays, not this one!</p>
<p>So many students apply to so many schools these days, I think some of these questions are just to make sure you are a serious applicant, and that you have looked into things enough to feel that it is a fit. </p>
<p>Colleges want to make sure things will work out for you, and they also don’t want any effect on graduation or transfer rates in the future, if it is not a good fit. </p>
<p>And accepting students who then choose not to come also affects their stats.</p>
<p>So I would focus less on writing something creative and “unique” and more on showing the effort you have put into learning about the school, and the seriousness of your application.</p>
<p>^__ Best post of the thread. I think compmom is exactly right for these kinds of essays.</p>
<p>I was serious and was rejected from mills…</p>
<p>there could be other reasons for rejection. So essays that grab attention should be better.</p>
<p>I think Stanford in particular likes creative essays.</p>
<p>There are other (creative) essays to write: the main essay and often a supplementary one. </p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, I think creative twists are great (beginning and ending with reference to snow, for example), especially if done in a natural way. But the details in slpxx’s answer were probably more important- very convincing essay that showed a lot of research and thought about applying to this particular school.</p>
<p>I am in my late 50’s and feel sorry for you guys: every question brings pressure to excel and stand out. I think it helps to go back and figure out the reason for the question. Applications give many different ways to let them know who you are, and this question wants to make sure you know who “they” are too!</p>
<p>p.s. this question comes up in applications for jobs: I remember hiring someone because she had clearly researched the organization and asked informed questions about the job: we could tell that she wasn’t just randomly applying for jobs, which was a plus…</p>
<p>Yes, Stanford cares essays a lot so make them personal</p>
<p>bump 10 char</p>
<p>if you cant find anything to say clearly its not the right school for you</p>
<p>That was my favorite essay out of all of the supplements I did for all 11 schools I applied to! I had to re-write it like 4 times in order to get it down to the word limit. This may sound pretty weird, but I actually tear up when I read it now because that essay was probably responsible for me getting accepted.</p>
<p>When I wrote that essay, I was in a really low place in the admissions process … full of doubt, fatigue, depression and anxiety. I just poured my heart into that essay; every kind of emotion I was feeling at the time and all of my aspirations and dreams were stirred into the mix. And I think that’s what the adcoms really want from you … to show your heart. IMHO, I think this essay flows best when Stanford is your absolute dream school. If it is, and you’re in a bit of a jam, just sit at your computer for a while and collect your feelings toward the school.</p>
<p>Another approach to writing this kind of essay is to visualize yourself at the college, on the campus, doing things and interacting with people there. Instead of focusing on what that college could do for you, focus instead on what you would bring to your classmates, teachers, and the college as a whole. If you have special background, talent, experiences, or interests, explain how your attending this college would add to the achievements and experiences of others on campus. In short, show how you would not just benefit from the curricular and extracurricular programs at that college but also how you could contribute to the life the college.</p>
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<p>-moan- Oh noooooo. I was going to do exactly that for my “Why Swarthmore?”…</p>
<p>^Lol, I was thinking of doing the same thing as well. I still think we’re in the minority though</p>