My writing has never failed me - am I on the right track?

College Essays
1

<p>So now that I’ve visited colleges, have an idea of the financial situations, and looked over the application process, it’s time time to write up an essay.</p>

<p>I am majoring in journalism and writing is clearly my strong point. Since about 6th grade everyone has known me for my writing. Teachers, friends, principals. So I am counting on this essay!</p>

<p>Now the question is… my writing style has never failed me. Is it time to change? I think not, but some people have told me I may run into issues.</p>

<p>I write in a funny, sarcastic tone. My writing is very laid backed, not overly complicated, and relaxed. This is actually what makes my writing, and people usually like to read it. Both young and old. It has worked for me on my SAT essay, essays trying to get me into certain programs, etc. So is it safe to keep a style like that? An admissions guy at BU told me an essay that is funny and different really stands out. However only if you pull it off well. Hopefully I can :]</p>

<p>That said, college essays are supposed to be personal. Well, I can do that. Here is my essay topic and how I plan to write about it, and myself:</p>

<p>Growing up in the poorest congressional district in the country. The South Bronx.</p>

<p>I plan on using humor such as how the only good thing about this place might be the former criminals who hold the door for you in front of the building. And then bringing out personal stories and characteristics about myself such as:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>how I went to private school and often took plenty of insults for it, yet it made me a better person.</p></li>
<li><p>how getting robbed for a dollar sparked my interest in writing a few years ago.</p></li>
<li><p>how my love for rock music and guitar playing doesn’t sit well with area locals</p></li>
<li><p>how instead of “hustling” drug moneyt unlike my friends, I started a computer repair business.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>So in that I get to share personal stories and about my character. I then plan on speaking about the importance of education for me, personally. And how I want to give back to the community (and how I already have). And in general how living here has made me who I am and want to become.</p>

<p>Well guys, think I am on the right track?</p>

2

<p>It is your essay. Express yourself through your writing style. If you try to write in a tone which you think admissions offs will like then everyone’s essays would be THE SAME. :)</p>

3

<p>I don’t think you should force a new writing voice… I haven’t read your work or anything, but I think there is a lot you can tell about a person just by their voice.</p>

<p>As for your topics, I like:

  • how getting robbed for a dollar sparked my interest in writing a few years ago.</p>

<p>I don’t like:

  • how my love for rock music and guitar playing doesn’t sit well with area locals
  • how I went to private school and often took plenty of insults for it, yet it made me a better person.
  • how instead of “hustling” drug moneyt unlike my friends, I started a computer repair business.</p>

<p>The ones that I do not like have too much negativity in the wording. When I was writing essays, the topics that started out negatively ended up making me sound a little stuck up. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the two opinions!</p>

<p>When I wrote the original post I was in a rush and had to go, so allow me to elaborate on what I was getting at. </p>

<p>One thing that I have done on the side and would like to bring out in my essay is my self ran business. The whole hustling drug thing would be a joke. Random example:
“Growing up in the Bronx has taught me what not to do. However, it has taught me some values. Such as hard work. The local criminals worked hard on their drugs and graffiti businesses. However, a life of crime didn’t exactly appeal to me. I started a computer repair business instead.”</p>

<p>Just a quick example of something I might write. Of course with more consideration and worded better. </p>

<p>What I was eventually going to get at with the rock music thing and private school was that I am different from the area I am growing up in. That I have learned and experienced a lot for being a product of the ghetto, but at the same time being the furthest thing from it. That’s a point I would like to touch on: being in the heart of a ghetto, yet being the complete opposite from my surroundings. Yet taking this environment and learning from it, using it to my advantage.</p>

5

<p>1, 3, and 4 are treading very dangerous grounds, as it can offend people and put you in a bad light. I vote 2.</p>

6

<p>"What I was eventually going to get at with the rock music thing and private school was that I am different from the area I am growing up in. That I have learned and experienced a lot for being a product of the ghetto, but at the same time being the furthest thing from it. That’s a point I would like to touch on: being in the heart of a ghetto, yet being the complete opposite from my surroundings. Yet taking this environment and learning from it, using it to my advantage. "</p>

<p>This doesn’t sound like what you want to write. It sounds more like you’re writing what you think the college admissions want to hear. Careful of this.</p>

7

<p>Hmm good point. Though I legitly mean when I say something like that. But I’ll be careful not to fall into any traps. </p>

<p>Any other ideas on what I can go on or sub topics to touch on?</p>