<p>I’m not applying to Swarthmore, so we’re good. 
Still not sure if I’m going to, the only reason I even CONSIDERED it is because I’m interested in the creative writing extracurricular house, which is fairly unique (at least among all the other schools I’ve considered). They cut their creative supplement this year as well, so I really don’t have any other option. My common app essay is a personal narrative, not creative at all.</p>
<p>Eh. The most important thing about essays for colleges is really portraying yourself honestly to adcoms. Portraying yourself honestly and in a memorable way.</p>
<p>The “why us” essay should still be about you, the applicant. Show the college another aspect of you in relation to how you would contribute to the university. And, for top schools like Stanford, they are not looking for the mundane recitation of facts you have discovered about Stanford. They know about their own school. My child’s “Why Stanford” essay was a rather confounding (satirical) discourse on Yin and Yang and evil countered by good and balance in the universe with references to The Matrix. He was accepted. Stanford definitely looks for creative essays. So show YOU in all the essays. There is only so much they will read. It is important to portray yourself. Don’t look for a formula.</p>
<p>Would these tips apply to short answers too? Like CMC’s I believe is 250 characters or less, not words. Would it be better to just be straightforward and say why?</p>
<p>There are two things that can hurt you in this question and are important to look out for.</p>
<p>One of them is being too general. I’ve seen kids who obviously just used the same answer and literally ctrl-c’d their answer onto the college application (sometimes forgetting to change the college’s name - gasp!)</p>
<p>The other is making it too much about yourself. Think about what the college is trying to find out in the question, really. They’re looking to find students who a) know something about the colelge and b) are willing to give back to the college as much as they receive. They want to see students talking about getting involved in certain programs, taking on challenging academics and doing things like student gov, fraternity life, etc. Basically they want to see that you are not just going to attend the school and just suck a degree out of them the four years that your there. They want to see someone who is giong to be invoved in a healthy amount of programs and be a valuable member of the campus.</p>
<p>For instance, talk about certain programs or clubs that appeal to you (the more specific, the better). Talk about certain academics that you want to get involved in (i.e. if there’s a great comm. program, talk about taking some communications classes). Talk about certain notable professors and how you look forward to meeting them. Things like that look great to admissions staff.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>^___ very insightful post.</p>