<p>So, I was looking at the "why Yale?" question, and thinking, I don't want to write something like everyone else does, so could I write something like this:</p>
<p>"I could tell you I'm applying to Yale due to the unparalleled academics, the world class faculty, indescribably beautiful architecture, amazing peers, limitless opportunities,vibrant cultural life of the city, and the rich history and tradition.
I could tell you that, but really I'm just applying because I look good in navy and white." </p>
<p>Would they get the joke? Would they deny me over that?</p>
<p>Will Yale deny you based on one very short answer? I'm not an admissions officer, but I doubt it. That said, your answer, though well-written, is generic. It could have been written by any one of the 20,000+ students who will apply to Yale this fall. Every applicant is enamored of Yale's academics, faculty, and opportunities. My suggestion: Dig deep into the website or, if you visited, think specifically about what you learned on your visit. Can you identify some specific academic or extracurricular area to which you can contribute, some specific opportunity you'll take advantage of? You want to distinguish YOURSELF through your essays, even this very short one. You want the adcomms to read it and say "This kid would make a great additon to the next freshman class." A generic answer doesn't accomplish that. Try to make your answer one that only YOU could have written.</p>
<p>This is a little formulaic, but you might take a look, online, at some back editions of the Yale Daily News. Look for things you would love to attend, stories or editorials that appeal to you, things happening on campus that matter to you. Talking about a few specific things that truly draw you to Yale, and why, might help admission see how you might fit on the campus. There is no right answer, just a little more information about you, through the lens of what Yale offers. And most people look good in navy :)</p>
<p>Don't ever try to be cute on admissions essays. No, seriously. It can make you look reaaaaaaaally REALLY bad, especially if the admissions officers don't share your sense of humor. </p>
<p>And furthermore, they can deny you over that. All a joke does is sprinkle fluff over an essay that's TRYING to stand out, but doesn't really have enough substance to stand up on its own. And you've wasted like, 50 words already by trying to be funny when you could have written something with so much more significance.</p>
<p>wait...there's a why Yale essay? I thought it was just a 2nd essay on whatever you wanted to write about? or is there another question on the supplement that I overlooked?</p>
<p>On another note, try to avoid peppering your writing with vapid, cliche adjectives devoid of any real meaning.
"amazing"
"vibrant"
"rich"
etc.
Try to catch yourself before automatically plugging in adjectives "just because."</p>
<p>And yeah if you had to ask for reassurance on the internet they you most likely don't have the recklessness/quirkiness that the answer implies, and so it doesn't really reflect who you are. And so it ends up being just a transparent attempt to charm the reader.</p>
<p>I thought it was amusing. That being said, I've found more success in just being persuasive and serious than funny but not really saying anything about why you want to attend. Maybe if you gave less generic reasons in the first part.</p>
<p>Why don't you do something crazy and think about what exactly it is that makes you want to apply, be accepted and attend Yale over any other school. If you do that....you'll come up with the right answer for YOU.</p>
<p>Do NOT write that as your essay. When I visited Yale last week, the leader of the info session used something EXTREMELY similar to that as an example, somewhat jokingly. Do NOT use that as your answer. They've seen it before.</p>