Should there be a deeper meaning in essays? Tips?

[shnn277]

<p>So a lot of people have said “be original” and "not clich</p>

[gibby]

<p>Two of my favorite quotes about college admissions should help to answer your question. Colleges find out about your character and intellectual passion through your teacher recommendations and your essays.</p>

<p>* What You Don’t Know Can Keep You Out Of College * by Don Dunbar</p>

<p>

If the admissions office door has four locks on it, the first two keys are test scores and school record, and the third is a special talent or some other accomplishment or quality. What is the fourth key? It’s “character.” An old fashioned word, it means the way you develop your inner qualities: intellectual passion, maturity, social conscience, concern for community, tolerance, and inclusiveness.

</p>

<p>* Acing The College Application * by Michele A. Hernandez </p>

<p>

Students cannot afford to assume that they will be accepted solely on their academic merits without putting the necessary time into the application process. Students who ignore the importance of self-presentation do so at their peril. </p>

<p>Colleges look for students who show initiative and passion. Those are the two mantras you should repeat to yourself over and over as you fill out your application. Think passion and intellectual depth. If there is one single area that admissions officers are looking for above all others, it is intellectual firepower. Though there are many valedictorians, there are few who show a deep and sincere love of learning. Those are the ones who are accepted most often into the most selective colleges.

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<p>FWIW: Harvard thinks baking is intellectual enough to offer a course in it: <a href=“http://www.seas.harvard.edu/cooking[/url]”>http://www.seas.harvard.edu/cooking&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[shnn277]

<p>Wow thanks Gibby! I didn’t realize Harvard has a baking class! Who would have thought!</p>

<p>But if I were to centralize my essay around baking, would it show admissions officers enough about myself? My ultimate goal is to become a lawyer or work in a sort of corporate food business.</p>

[gibby]

<p>

But if I were to centralize my essay around baking, would it show admissions officers enough about myself

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<p>It all depends on what you say and how you say it. Why don’t you watch a few of the videos for inspiration:
[Food</a> and Science | Lecture 1 (2012) - YouTube](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ft0cwxjBKE&feature=youtu.be]Food”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ft0cwxjBKE&feature=youtu.be)
<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt9g2se1LcM[/url]”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt9g2se1LcM&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[cakebatter]

<p>I personally like the baking idea (especially much more than the heritage one) and am already intrigued by it. It is definitely more interesting IMO. However, is baking central to your identity? Depending on how you write it, it may be a stretch for the prompt.</p>

<p>I don’t think it matters what you write about as long as it reveals something about yourself; however, I see no point in writing an essay that has no lesson to it. So should there be a deeper meaning? Absolutely. Can the deeper meaning only be in essays about heritage, illnesses, etc.? Definitely not. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

[shnn277]

<p>gibby: thanks for the links, again!</p>

<p>and cakebatter- i think it could apply to a few of the prompts, but so far i’ve written it for the one about going against the grain (i don’t remember exactly the wording…haha). More something like–everyone on my career or academic path is so devoted to school and college, but how i believe my love for food…makes me different? ahh! It’s so frustrating not to be able to say what I feel!</p>

[BrownParent]

<p>I have seen several students here propose writing essays about baking. So while it may not be common, it is not unique. One person here recently mentioned that they had made several wedding cakes! It seems baking is a way that some people find relaxation, interest, challenges, or other fulfillment in (I’m one of them).</p>

<p>My daughter also had baking related essay. But it was not just about baking. There was a reason why she was baking, so there was a greater story to it. There was practical thought about what she was putting together. There was also an important other EC in the story, one that showed up all over her application. And there were some colorful interactive scenes described.</p>

<p>The essay allowed her to highlight her interests, her personality, how her mind operates, what her priorities are, show creativity, action, communication…</p>

<p>So, I’m saying that whichever topic you select, you want to try to bring out aspects of yourself in the telling of it.</p>