inferring about yourself or talking about your self

[jliu]

<p>I’ve noticed that there are two types of essays… </p>

<p>One in which someone talks about a specific event which is described in detail as it might be in a work of fiction, and then is followed by a short analysis of it’s meaning. This seems to me like a piece of writing in which the reader is to infer your personality from a part of your life.

My friends call me “Banana Girl”: Yellow skin on the outside and white on the inside. At times, I think I’m not Asian anymore, such as during the fish-ball incident. A while ago, my mother sagely predicted that it wouldn’t be long before hamburgers and pizza would be a big part of my diet (they already represent two of my four daily food groups). “No problem for me,” I said. I was okay with that. “Nothing wrong with being ‘Americanized’,” I thought. What people don’t understand is that, although I am well adapted to America’s culture, I still greatly respect Chinese traditions.

ie: [Sample</a> College Essay: Yvonne’s Penn Submission](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_admissions/sample_college_essays_2.htm]Sample”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_admissions/sample_college_essays_2.htm)</p>

<p>The second is talking about who you are as a person, and using an event as a piece of support and background rather than using it as a main focus.

Not surprisingly, music has emerged as another, perhaps indirect, avenue for me to communicate with others. Singing allows me to convey my deep and personal emotions with others. When I sing, I am transported to another realm. The mundane everyday world around me disappears, and I am enveloped in my own, new space, especially when I am performing onstage. When I act, I am transformed, feeling the happiness, sadness, impishness, or even confusion that my character feels. My performance taps into that part of me where those qualities dwell, and I love sharing it with my audience. Music is a very special form of communication for me.

ie: [College</a> Essay: “What I Overcame”](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_admissions/sample_college_essays_6.htm]College”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_admissions/sample_college_essays_6.htm)</p>

<p>Is the second type of essay riskier? I am somewhat worried by the fact that most essays follow the first style. I can’t seem to find a way to write a good essay that is like the first type and it feels forced when I do try. I have teachers that tell me that I should run with an anecdotal type essay and not to be idealistic or self-centered.</p>

[ivychan]

<p>I heard from the Yale Adcom that they like to read essays that are from the hearts of their applicants. The “perfect” essay might be a terrible screw-up for you. </p>

<p>The essay should reflect you as a person, so don’t let the trends influence you!</p>

[mars]

<p>jliu I’m having the same problem. I’m concerned that the second option, which of course I find easier to write, is more “telling” than “showing”. I don’t know what to do…</p>

[jliu]

<p>does anyone have any advice.</p>