<p>I want to write my long essay in the form of diary entries. Is that going to look really... dumb? Journaling is one of my favorite hobbies, though, just to note.</p>
<p>I really love that idea. I dunno how it'd work tho... it was something I had considered doing when I was writing my college essay. But of course, senioritis set in early...</p>
<p>It could work and be interesting. However, it doesn't subsititute for having a planned, organized structure. There has to be both coherence in each entry and a logical sequence to the entries that makes the entire thing hang together as one piece. That's not at all the way that real journals work, of course. But you are not writing a real journal; you're writing a college app essay in the form of a journal. </p>
<p>OK.. I admit it. I'm an English professor.</p>
<p>It could work...however, the best essays will seem like diaries most of the time, regardless of format. It might add a creative finesse, but I don't think it will WOW your reader as much as your content.</p>
<p>Just watch out for messiness.</p>
<p>Think of it this way -- would you be interested in reading a complete stranger's diary?</p>
<p>One of the main things that I like about journals is that I can look back and gain new insights. I am not sure if you'd be able to demonstrate personal growth in the entries. If you could, it might be a very inventive way to offer your essay. However, your creative idea might be compromised if a lot of other people here on CC read your post and then decide to do the same thing.</p>
<p>What will your word limit be? It might be challenging to make the journal format meaningful while staying within a limit of 500 words.</p>
<p>I have kept a journal for over ten years and it is a very good reflection of who I am. It isn't really messy/incoherent.... I mean, I could choose excerpts too, and write new paragraphs to act as "bridges".... ?? I can keep it within 500 words... so is it okay?</p>
<p>If you feel that you can be your most personal, specific, honest and revealing in this format, if you feel it to be the best format for the expression of your personality and voice, then imo give it a try. </p>
<p>Set aside a first draft for a few days and look at it again with fresh eyes.</p>
<p>Depends on how you want to use it. Your essay shouldn't be jumping around everywhere, hitting on 40 different aspects of you. It should be in-depth. So if you can focus the diary entries, then try it out.</p>
<p>Also, avoid anything that would make the adcoms think twice. And by that, don't write about losing your virginity or that awesome party where you passed out.</p>
<p>Wow, I had been considering the exact same idea, and was going to ask about it. That's really interesting that someone else brought it up. I think it could work really well.</p>