College Application Essays is Suck!

[erub]

My parents keep bugging me to write the stupid essays - all I can think of to do are write about B.S. This is my fav one from Texas A&M program:

What additional information do you wish to be considered in our decision? For example
-Exceptional hardship, temp. failure, or personal experience that has shaped your abilities or academic credentials
-Personal responsibilites
-Exceptional achievements or special talents; poetry, artwork, bilingual proficiency, etc
-Educational goals and choice of majors
-Ways you have associated with the University

Let's see - my exceptional achievement has been being able to waste hours of my life on AT and IRC...Hmm I don't think i can put that down...what exactly do they want?

 

[JimmyEatWorld]

They want to know who you are. The worst thing you can do IMO is write an essay about something you believe in. In fact, you should feel free to be completly egotisitcal and write entirely about yourself. For instance an organization you were in, a crisis you went through, or your experiences abroad. My next advice is not to go to A&M (I'm just kidding, I'm not anti A&M, just very pro UT )

 

[Martin]

<< College Application Essays is Suck! >>



With grammar like that....I say don't even try!

 

[NakaNaka]

haha MTM, good pickup ...

 

[GoldenBear]

"Is suck" is an archaic adage used by some members here. It was done on puprose.

 

[BDawg]

I hear ya'! I have to write a "personal statement" essay for graduate school.

 

[erub]

Actually GoldenBear, I did it on purpose, not on puprose

 

[NakaNaka]

I know GB but it was funny ..

 

[DaveJ]

Oh man... you have the perfect topic... Have I got an essay for you...

link

Don't steal it though, I'm sure all the college recruiters have seen this one by now...

Dave

 

[fastz28]

Anybody can get into atm. Don't need no stinkin' essays. Just show up the first day of class with your TX drivers license, just like high school.

Hook'em

 

[j0lly]

<< Oh man... you have the perfect topic... Have I got an essay for you...

link

Don't steal it though, I'm sure all the college recruiters have seen this one by now...

Dave >>



I read that a while ago. It was written by a student who applied to NYU. Good stuff

 

[ChristopherBlue]

Did NYU actually swallow that sh!t?

 

[WhiteWonder]

i hope i don't have to write one of these

 

[Antoneo]

Uhm... erub, what year in high school are you? I will start senior year september 5, not too far away and have not started any essays.

 

[erub]

I am a senior now - I would have no problem getting into A&M but I am applying for their Honors Program, with the mandatory essays. I shouldn't have any trouble getting into that either, if I could just come up with something to write

 

[Logix]

<<Oh man... you have the perfect topic... Have I got an essay for you...>>

My English teacher read that one to our class last year. Afterwards, everyone was was like, "WTF?" It was a piece of sh!t, but our English teacher said that NYU accepted the person, and mostly based on the essay. Bleh. :disgust:

EDIT: It says at the bottom, "This essay, by Hugh Gallagher, won first prize in the humor category of the 1990 Scholastic Writing Awards... Gallagher, who is 18, grew up in Newtown Square, PA, and will attend NYU this fall." Of course, that was 11 years ago or so.

 

[chansen]

You have two options: BS your way through yet another essay, or tell them the ugly truth. Evaluators will respond to one, but not both of them. It is impossible to guess which.

My favourite way is to BS the beginning, and end on an entirely true and personally embarrassing or self-deprecating note. It has to be humourous. If you cannot write humour, do not try. Get someone who can to write that part for you. Unfortunately, you live in Texas. Finding that someone will be difficult.

Regards,
Craig

 

[Cyberian]

<< <<Oh man... you have the perfect topic... Have I got an essay for you...>>

My English teacher read that one to our class last year. Afterwards, everyone was was like, "WTF?" It was a piece of sh!t, but our English teacher said that NYU accepted the person, and mostly based on the essay. Bleh. :disgust:

EDIT: It says at the bottom, "This essay, by Hugh Gallagher, won first prize in the humor category of the 1990 Scholastic Writing Awards... Gallagher, who is 18, grew up in Newtown Square, PA, and will attend NYU this fall." Of course, that was 11 years ago or so. >>


I'm glad he was accepted. That was a masterpiece.
It must have been a breath of fresh air to the folks that have to read all the other crap.

 

[kranky]

I know this is going to astound some of you who haven't been here all that long, but that "college application essay" that DaveJ linked was written by a member here - WombatWoman. It was published some years ago in a newsletter for an organization she belonged to.

 

[Goldfish]

Off the application for Transylvania University:

The student essay helps the Admissions Committee become acquanited with you as an individual in ways different from your academic credentials, involvement, and other objective information. On a separate sheet of paper, type an essay of approximately 300-500 words(two pages) on one of the topics listed below:

A) If given the opportunity to spend time as a fictional character, whom would you choose and why?
B) Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has made a significant impact on you and why.
OR
C) Evalueate a significant experience or risk that you have taken and its impact on you.

I think I'll take the chance to write on some TEEN ANGST GOTH HARDCORE RAP ROCK ACTION.

 

[Antoneo]

<< I know this is going to astound some of you who haven't been here all that long, but that "college application essay" that DaveJ linked was written by a member here - WombatWoman. It was published some years ago in a newsletter for an organization she belonged to. >>



I have seen WombatWoman once or twice and she writes in depth posts. but if WW is a she, isnt the name "Hugh" Gallagher a guy?



<< [From Harper's "This essay, by Hugh Gallagher, won first prize in the humor category of the 1990 Scholastic Writing Awards. It appeared in the May issue of Literary_Calvalcade, a magazine of contemporary fiction and student writing published by Scholastic in NYC. Gallagher, who is 18, grew up in Newtown Square, PA, and will attend NYU this fall."] >>