Some quick questions about the common app

ChiefCurry
Tue, 14 Apr 2015 09:56:15 +0000

1. Many colleges now require a supplement essay about an activity listed in the activity section that you are most proud about of/influenced you the most/other classic questions. If your personal statement revolves around your extracurriculars, presumably it will at least partially include the activity that you are the most proud of. What happens in this situation? How do you guys go about answering this question?

2. Some colleges offer short boxes that are obviously for short answers that are a couple of words. Usually these are something along the lines of "favourite book" or "favourite website". However, some universities will provide large boxes for these questions. For some, the recommended length is 50 words, others up to 150 words. My questions are as follows: Do you write in continuous prose or in bullet point fashion? For the 50 words one and the 150 words one? Many of these questions start with the words "list". Does this mean that you do not provide any extra information? i.e. no description?

3. A common starting part of a sentence is "Please tell us how..." or "Please briefly elaborate...". How do you approach these two types of questions? Do you view both/one or another as a writing essay and try and spin a descriptive and eye-catching short essay? Or do you instill a "historical" tone with more fact than less adornment?

4. For the longer supplemental responses (~500 words), do you go for a moderated exciting/novel fitting writing style or a more down to earth essay with a typical essay style structure?

Thanks for the time guys, it’s very much appreciated!!!

Read full thread