Hmmm... not sure I'm really qualified to help you, seeing as everything like that I've ever had to write turned out to be pretty much pure fiction Sorry Tiffany

All I can really say is... they love volunteer work. Do some? Great, write that down. Don't do any? Put some down anyway. They love it. Also, use lots of obscure adjectives. They love obscure adjectives. And numbers--preferably high numbers, and that shouldn't be a problem, since I'm sure your grades are quite impressive

I really wish they didn't make people write those, actually. They make it seem like the only way anyone can get into a good school is if they can make themselves look like a self-important prick who can pull 95% averages, play on the starting line on five different teams, work a forty hour week, and volunteer in a dozen different places, all while playing the Swedish national anthem on a broken violin, on a unicycle, on water. If you ask me, they should require letters of reference from teachers/employers/etc. instead. The self-written statements really only serve to teach people how to sell themselves (or, in my case, lie through the teeth). But that's just my humble opinion.

Sorry that I couldn't really be much help

Okay, that's good that you've got the teacher recommendations. As long as you've got those, you're golden. And it's good to hear that your first choice school doesn't require the statement

But yeah, it's good to apply at a few backups just in case, and I totally get what you're saying. I think most people have difficulty writing about themselves in a positive light. I know I do--actually, I have difficulty with anything in a non-story format, but that's beside the point.

I think the problem is that they either expect too much of people, or make it seem like they expect too much of people and then cause the applicants to kind of doubt themselves. It's probably some twisted part of their selection process... but don't take anything I say seriously, especially since my anarchist tendencies have been emerging in prominence lately

But I have a feeling that you'll do just fine

Thanks Tiffany

Hmmm... yeah, that's a really broad prompt. What I might do in your shoes--and I'm not saying that this is what you should do, since we all have our different ways of approaching these thigns--is focus on the part about the most inspiring person in my life, if only to avoid talking about myself. After I was done that, I'd fill out the rest of the 250 words with the responses to the other questions. But like I said, that's just how I myself would approach it, and we all have different thought processes.

Here's what my AP English teacher had all her students do:

We free wrote. Wrote about anything that came into our heads, for about thirty minutes or so. We printed out these free writes and she circled certain parts of it that she thought were especially interesting/showed a lot about us personally. I mentioned a line from a Nirvana song: "I miss the comfort in being sad." She circled that.

From that point you go off on that highlighted part, and free write about that until you whittle it down. I ended up writing about the value of sadness for deeper happiness and greater art.

Not saying you should necessarily use that particular method, but I ended up writing a kickass essay that I think says a great deal about me as a person and hey - it got me into Smith! I think the most important thing is that it really sound like you and emphasize what is really important in your life. It doesn't necessarily have to be some huge life-changing event, but it should speak to the kind of person that you are and the things that you value.

Good luck. College essays can be a royal pain but I'm sure you'll get there!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm romantic, literary, cynical, and a diehard Alred Sebright groupie.

I think it's a good one. It really sounds like a Tiffany thing to say.

I can't give much advice otherwise. I don't even remember writing college admissions essays. I suppose I must have... but I really don't remember. High school and my first few years of college seem so absurd and surreal, looking back, that it feels like it must have been a dream. I would never submit to such insanity if I had to do it again now.

Yes, today I rather FAIL at moral support.

*runs back to Malrua*

Anyone who describes herself as "poignant" is 150% awesome from the start.

If you titled it "Tiffany's (poignant) guide to herself", wrote it in comic strip format with cartoon foxes, and made at least one mention of "chunky bacon," it might get you into a computer science department!

Like I said, not much help.

Can you imagine someone googleing "College Admissions Essays" and finding this site? I think that they'd be rather baffled. But then curiosity would get the better of them and then...new readers!!!

Yeah, I'm inadvertently recruiting a whole new demographic!

Methinks that I deserve karma that should be directly deposited into the Bank of Lothere.

Aww...I'm a part of that demographic...sort of.

Thanks for the token!

*gambles in lucky 7s and wins hordes of karma*

Yay! I gets LAFFs!

Heheh, I can help with that. Just write it all down, then take out the least effective stuff line by line until you get to the length you want. Everything that's left will be your best.

That's exactly how I write my chapters.

Heheheh, I'm the opposite, Tiffany. I have great focus during tests, but I can't work at home for the life of me

I'm actually almost tempted to write about writer's block.

The single most frightening thing that I have ever encountered is a blank sheet of paper.

Hmm...the schools I'm applying to haven't exactly asked that question.

But those are the types of questions that I really hate.

I just wish that they wouldn't ask such vague questions and the whole idea of selling myself really wigs me out. I just don't know. I'll have to think about that one, because that's a reoccurring question.

So what do you think of them, Ri?

Wow, those are really awesome questions.

Which schools are you applying to? Do you get the option to supplement with your own question?

How many schools would that be exactly? Sounds like you gots some serious ambition, girlie!

Ah, I'm going for my state university and well, I'm pretty excited about it. It's not ivy league, but it's pretty darn reputable and has some nationally acclaimed programs. I just love the diversity of majors.

Wow, ten? That's a lot of money for applications.

My mom says that I can only apply to three, so I've been heavily considering my options.

And wow, Ivies! I'm too afraid to apply to those. I don't handle rejection well.

And as far as indecision goes, just look at them harder. Yeah the computer screen starts to get blurry, but really look at what they're producing. Partyers? Intellectuals? Or Doers and Go-getters?

Personally, I'm going for the latter.

Ten, of which I'm expecting to be accepted to at best half. It's pretty nerve-wracking. Oddly enough, it's also about average around here assuming you don't get in early decision. I think the philosophy's something like: if you don't try, you'll never get in.

I'll probably be studying business or economics, more likely business. That means schools with pre-professional programs, so I guess I'm looking for Doers and Go-getters The difficulty lies in deciding between those schools. You never realize how many colleges there are in the United States until they start flooding your inbox.

Yet another update from the most indecisive writer ever.

First, I have changed my topic (surprise!). I have decided to write about how my encounters with language have instilled an increased awareness of others and how it has stimulated a desire in me to pursue a major in studying language. It's pretty much done and all I need is teacher approval and editing. If at all possible, I would gladly post it here if someone would critique it! (cough cough!)

Second, it has come to my attention that I am "an Outstanding Participant in the National Achievement Scholarship Competition." It is like an honorable mention status for a scholarship associated with the PSAT and that is reserved for African Americans. I am one of 3100 students in the nation that is being referred to colleges and let's just say some serious moolah is being offered. (Yay!)

And finally, I got my SAT scores back. I got a 1980. That is a 150 point increase from my last test. This is cause for a bunny!

Thank you all for being so very patient by reading this post in its entirety.

MOAR

"You never realize how many colleges there are in the United States until they start flooding your inbox. "

Lol, and Canada too. I filled out a uni search app way back in sophmore year in high school and once I put down 'architecture' I had UBC and five bizillion other uni's in B.C. and Alberta breathing down my neck. I tried UBC, but they had separate majors for environmental design and architecture, and I kind of need both, so it didn't make much sense to pay more money for two when only one of them is considered licenseable later on. *sigh* It was soo much more closer to home too than the uni I'm at now.

I wish my school was among the Doers and Go-getters... It's just known for being a patry school, american football, and a research school. Though, it was the closest one besides UBC for my major. Now though, I really like the dept. at my school, so I can't complain. I totally know how you guys feel trying to find something in-state that has a not too bad program for your major.

The uni apps I had to fill out didn't have much as far as essays, but as for scholarship apps they did and the questions were more specific at least. You could always try what I did and look at the school's scholarship application, then practice writing responses just to get you accquinted with their open ended-ness, or what specifically they're looking for.

The creative writing idea is definitely a good one!

I guess it all depends on personal choice too. You can read up on writing guides until your eyes cross, but sometimes it works to just go for what you like. As Ri was saying, just try.

... And if it helps, just think of your school choices as suitors.

Which one do you think and feel the best with, prestigious noteriety and awards aside, because you'll likely be spending 4+ years with them. Besides, it also makes the application process all the more amusing thinking of these uni's crowding at your mailbox for a purposal. Well, for me and my craziness at least...

Woot! Way to go Tiffany!!!

-------------------------------------------------------
So sayeth life, the world is mine
You can create great tombs of marble and stone
But love, you can never entomb
So spricht das Leben, the world is mine

Thanks for the bunnies!

And man, I hate when you have the perfect thought, but your phrasing is sooo awkward. I just can't figure out how to make it sound right. And then I hate not knowing whether or not to do a paragraph break. GAH!

Uh, can you do a lookover of my paper?

I was totally serious!

And if you're still up to it, could you give me your e-mail address? I don't want my beautiful essay wandering the internets for some terrible person to plaigarize.

It's sent.

I must log off now, but I will be very pleased to wake up to a beautiful (or not so beautiful) email about any improvements.

Thank you SO much!

You deserve a bunny (or three)!

:bunny:

ETA: Apparently you only deserve two.

Yay!

:bunny:

ETA: What is up with my middle bunnies?

YAAAAAAAAAY!!! Congratulations, Tiffany!! Seriously, that's awesome!

*watches as forum explodes with dancing bunnies in Tiffany's honor*

Thanks you guys!

However, I'm still waiting for the big one from my first choice.

*fingers crossed*

Woot woot!
Here, have some congratulatory/good-luck bunnies:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm romantic, literary, cynical, and a diehard Alred Sebright groupie.

Yay! Congrats Tiffany! Hope you get a good letter from your first choice too!

-------------------------------------------------------
So spricht das Leben, the world is mine

Dear Tiffany:

CONGRATULATIONS! We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to the University of Georgia for Fall 2010 as a member of the class of 2014.

That is all.

Oh goodness! That is AH-mazing! Deferred from Penn? You still have a chance! And Chicago? I totally considered them at one point, then I decided against it. They have THE best pamphlets and they seem really awesome.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thanks, I'm really stoked! (Do we still use that vernacular?)

And those are REALLY good schools. Have you decided which you're leaning toward and your major?

Congratulations, Tiffany and Ri!!!

Yay!! Many congratulations to you both! So exciting!

Getting into college = best feeling ever. Seriously! I fondly remember the day I heard from Smith...ran out and told everyone I knew. Good times.
Ri, is that the University of Chicago to which you're referring? Or is there another one I don't know of? Also, I initially got deferred from Smith and then was accepted later on - don't give up hope yet!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm romantic, literary, cynical, and a diehard Alred Sebright groupie.

Linguistics = coolest stuff ever. Seriously.

I think my choice of major as it goes so far is very career-oriented, but one of the big reasons I liked Chicago was because the way the core was oriented you do get a basic grounding in just about everything.

An entire college? That's amazing. Just for literacy education?

That is, indeed, the University of Chicago I am referring too. And I'm not completely giving up on Penn yet - the admissions office actually called me a week before decisions and gave a short reinterview, so I think that they may have been seriously considering me.

Finals in college will be horrible, no doubt. On the other hand, I think the college part makes up for it

Oh, yeah...college finals = terrifying. And exhausting. But, yanno, as we say here at Smith: "Done is better than good!"

Also, Ri, MAD PROPS on getting into University of Chicago. Seriously. Even if you don't get into Penn, that's still a crazy awesome school. Also, I've never been to Chicago but I've heard it's really awesome and really want to go...so you'd have that to look forward to, too.

Linguistics are awesome. Really cool, even though I totally suck at it! That department sounds pretty bitchin, Tiffany.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm romantic, literary, cynical, and a diehard Alred Sebright groupie.

Congrats you two! Linguistics is so much fun, it is one of the things I would seriously consider studying if I went back to school.

I don't remember how university works... do you have to apply for the major/department you want at the time you apply? Or do you just apply to the larger school and then hope later on you get into the department you wanted? (Like after 4 semesters or something?) It seems to me some departments were more competitive than others, but my brain is getting old.

On my application, we just put down two intended majors and a 300 character summary for our desire to pursue that major. But, I don't think we'll put into a department or anything yet. Once we finish our core classes, then we can declare our majors, methinks.

Some colleges are really competitive. The business and international affairs college is the culprit behind many a student not graduating on time. It is one of the best in the country.

The mail came the other day.

I got a renewable $1,000 academic scholarship from UGA. And I haven't even filled out any financial aid forms yet. Oh man. This is gonna be good.

That is all. Carry on.

This calls for a bunny dance.

Conratulations, Tiffany!

Congratulations Tiffany!!

Hey Lothere, can I email you?