<p>I didn't want to go "I want to go to Swat because...", so I wrote an allegorical story about prisoners and freedom, which are supposed to symbolize the freedom that education and enlightenment brings. Is this okay, or should I stick to an essay? I haven't sent anything yet.</p>
<p>thats clever. The adcoms might like it</p>
<p>it'll depend on whose reading it...i've been through a couple of admission essay compilations with comments, and it seems some adcoms don't like essays that are abstract, or 'try too hard to be different but end up losing their point' to quote one of them</p>
<p>I have a daughter who graduated from Swarthmore. My experience is that Swarthmore really does want to know that you understand what the school offers that is unique to Swat, and what you will offer the school as well. In other words, do you understand the place, and do you know yourself well enough to know you will fit well there.</p>
<p>If you think you can convey this effectively in an allegorical form, you might give it a try. </p>
<p>I would also suggest that you post this question on the Swarthmore sub-forum. You will get responses from others I am sure.</p>
<p>What my essay is trying to say is that Swarthmore is a place where you can learn everything you want to, and thus, freedom through knowledge. However, that's kind of the mantra for every LAC, isn't it? Is that too general?</p>
<p>BTW, what separates Swarthmore from, say, Williams? The only difference seems to be that Swarthmore is near a major city, but that seems more like a pretty shallow difference.</p>
<p>You just found your own problem. I haven't read your essay, but from your description, you're right, it would be too general. I'd use an allegory essay in a personal statement, rather than a "Why School" essay. </p>
<p>If you don't know what seperates Swarthmore from Williams, then you don't want to go to Swarthmore that badly. Adcoms will see right through that, so go do some major research if you want to appeal to them. Here's a great thread to start: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=23832&page=1&pp=20%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=23832&page=1&pp=20</a></p>
<p>Does anyone know how long should the essay be?
What do they mean by a "brief statement"?</p>