<p>I am writing an essay that will be sent to Harvard, Princeton and Yale. I have a photo that I think will work really well with this essay. How acceptable would it be to include the photo?
Thanks</p>
<p>I don't know how qualified I am to give my opinion, but I would say do it as long the connection to your essay and the necessity of it are extremely clear. You don't want to give off the impression of doing "gimmicky" things for admission.</p>
<p>why include a picture?
in your essay, you should have enough sensory details so that the reader is transported to where you were and can see the image before him.
a picture should be superfluous. (:</p>
<p>Your essay should be able to stand alone.</p>
<p>I don't think you need pictures if you use proper imagery, diction and details to provide the reader with the picture.</p>
<p>Actually, I read an article and this Harvard dude actually discouraged the use of pictures.</p>
<p>It's fine as long as its not too gimmicky. I saw an essay for top schools where a guy put a picture of a math puzzle (looked like a crossword puzzle but with numbers), walked the reader through the trick as simply as possible and talked about how that and other puzzles fascinated him, etc. It can be effective if done correctly.</p>