i really like the anecdotal, tongue-in-cheek essay I wrote that covers my doubts with Tulane, how they were resolved, and the little things that make it feel like the perfect place for me, but I hear a lot of people are going for the more direct, “here are my life goals and here is how Tulane would help me achieve them” approach. is either kind of essay inherently better?
From what I can tell, they are trying to see how you can express yourself and the style of the essay matters less than your expression of “Why Tulane?” My “Why Tulane?” essay focused on all of my prior experiences with Tulane (students, alumni, teachers, friends) and then used that to lay out how and why it was the perfect place for me.
In the end, it comes down to how you can best express “Why Tulane?”
If an anecdotal, tongue-in-cheek essay is the best way for you to express that then go for it!
Sounds perfect! You will likely stand out as an excellent candidate! Why not let the admissions rep read something different!
thanks y’all 
Not, “here are my life goals and here is how Tulane would help me achieve them.” You approach is far better.