<p>So, my mom and I have been arguing on what would be a better essay.</p>
<p>I think that it should be about something specific, detailed, and creative that will bring interest to the reader and will be memorable (in a good way). It will still have to do with me.</p>
<p>My mom thinks it should be more broad and deal with what I do and how I’m different. Kind of show more of who I am. I think that just sounds like a repeat of my resume though! </p>
<p>What is your input WM? </p>
<p>PS: You are my favorite school :)</p>
<p>Thank you for your time!</p>
<p>I agree with you that you don’t want to repeat your resume in your essay, and that your essay shouldn’t be too broad. I’m sure W&M Admissions will add to this, but they want a sense of who you are, not just a general essay on your accomplishments. When my own kids were applying there were two submissions, the essay and the creative supplement. The supplement is where you can be extra creative and do something that will really let the admission committee see something unique and interesting about you. Think outside the box on that one…I think they’re going back to the way it used to be and saying it has to fit on a piece of paper, but it doesn’t have to be an essay.</p>
<p>Below are some links on the subject that may help. </p>
<p>Just to be clear, I’m not in “Admissions”, so this is just my opinion - but I’m pretty certain a bland recitation of your resume would be a mistake. They want to hear your voice, and they want to hear something they’ve never heard before, at least, not in the way you’ve put it. To me, that’s the important thing, to find unique ways to tell your story - and it is, after all, a story. </p>
<p>[W&M</a> Blogs You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression or How I Stopped Venting and Learned to Love the College Essay](<a href=“http://blogs.wm.edu/2011/07/26/you-never-get-a-second-chance-to-make-a-first-impression-or-how-i-stopped-venting-and-learned-to-love-the-college-essay/]W&M”>http://blogs.wm.edu/2011/07/26/you-never-get-a-second-chance-to-make-a-first-impression-or-how-i-stopped-venting-and-learned-to-love-the-college-essay/)</p>
<p>[W&M</a> Blogs You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression or How I Continued Venting and Learned to Despise the College Essay](<a href=“http://blogs.wm.edu/2011/07/15/you-never-get-a-second-chance-to-make-a-first-impression-or-how-i-continued-venting-and-learned-to-despise-the-college-essay/]W&M”>http://blogs.wm.edu/2011/07/15/you-never-get-a-second-chance-to-make-a-first-impression-or-how-i-continued-venting-and-learned-to-despise-the-college-essay/)</p>
<p>[Essays</a>, Admission Information, Undergraduate Admission, U.Va.](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html]Essays”>http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html)</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice and links. The links were VERY helpful.</p>
<p>Squiddy, thanks for posting links to some of our recent blogs on this topic. We’ll highlight one additional one ([W&M</a> Blogs Eeeek…It’s the Essay](<a href=“http://blogs.wm.edu/2011/07/07/eeeek-its-the-essay/]W&M”>http://blogs.wm.edu/2011/07/07/eeeek-its-the-essay/)). This blog notes that your essay should be about you and be about something that’s uniquely you. Every student can write about their accomplishments and what they do. That’s not unique to you. Think about what is unique to you. What’s something you can write about that your friends and classmates can’t. That’s where you’ll find a unique essay topic.</p>
<p>Go with your gut. It’s your essay and you’re going to be doing the writing so pick the topic that you think will bring out the best in you as a writer. If you enjoyed writing it it will help us to enjoy reading it.</p>