I’m stuck on the Stanford prompt that says, “Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help you roommate - and us - know you better.”
What kinds of things are people writing about?
I’m really bad at these kinds of prompts because they feel very unnatural to me. I have no idea what kind of tone to use, or what to talk about. People say “just be yourself”, but that’s so hard!
Does anyone have suggestions on the kinds of things that are appropriate? Are we supposed to write about our personal qualities or interests or idiosyncrasies or what?
Thanks in advance! Any help at all would be much appreciated.
well, your ‘future roommate’ would be a student the same age as you, so you can use more of a relaxed tone; this doesn’t mean use “LOL” or other slang, but this section doesn’t have to be as serious as the other prompts. Write things about yourself that show you as a person (outside of academics). Things you would talk about to someone you just met.
Copying someone is is worse than taking a stab at it. No one should suggest to you what kind of things to put. You really have to define what you bring in to contribute as a person, sharing your personal traits or interests. I think writing something really unique is in your favor here, so I think your quest for suggestions is misplaced. There is no ‘right way’.
For example, would it be inappropriate to write about pop culture? TV shows, movies, music is the kind of thing that I usually discuss with my friends. But I’m not sure if that would be appropriate in an admissions context.
What has pop culture got to do with YOU? It is not about how well you know stuff but it is about what makes you tick as a person, your interactions with family, friends etc.
