SillBill

Hi! I have two (well actually three) versions of my essay. One is more captivating, yet it does not follow the rules of an essay structure/order as well as it should (i.e. Intro, thesis, body, conclusion... instead mine is BIG BANG, thesis, body, conclusion). The other is very formal, but I think it lacks that 'something extra' that will make them interested in reading my essay. The last one is kind of a morph between the two: I start off with something captivating, but cut it off to lead into a traditional introductory. I then resume my captivating story-telling in the 2nd paragraph.

I don't want to come off as being drab and boring... but I also don't want to come off like I can't adhere to the rules of writing a cohesive essay.

Which do you think is best?

mechales

Isn't the point of the essay to make an impression on the reader? Go for the interesting one! You can show off your pretty form on the supplement essays (if there are any). I would think that any admissions group knows that the students applying to their school know how to write a form essay. Be original!