<p>So I saw a thread from a HS student asking about using a pop culture reference in an essay. Do adcoms keep up with popular music and movies and would they get the reference (see quote and link below)? I know that I am just one data point but I commented that I have never heard of it (nor have my 18 and 20 year old kids). The questioner writes the character names as if they are Lilo and Stitch and only includes the actual movie parenthetically. I was informed that The Notebook is considered by people in the US to be an iconic love story. A google search of some movie lists agrees. When I think iconic movie romance I think Casablanca, Titanic, Ghost, maybe Sleepless in Seattle. Have I been living under a rock? Should I know this? I figured I’d ask people closer to my own age. And if the answer is “yes” I am perfectly willing to accept it I just wanted to know. It’s a bit disconcerting to be so obtuse as to be mistaken for someone who is unaccustomed to life in the United States. :-B</p>
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<p>“I am just wondering if anyone has any idea if adcoms are updated on pop culture? Like do they keep up (mostly) with movies and music? I want to include a reference to Noah and Allie (from the notebook) in my essay, but I am worried that adcoms will not know or understand who they are?”</p>
<p>I’m a middle-aged mom and I have seen it more than once. One of my daughters really liked it. You should know that mention of The Notebook is equally met with groans as it is also frequently mentioned as a movie people hate.</p>
<p>I know of Nicholas Sparks and I’ve seen the book & previews of the movie. But it’s not something I’m into so I have no idea what the plot or characters are, just that it’s a contemporary romance.</p>
<p>My 19yo son made me watch The Notebook this summer so I would get the reference. And if I didn’t immediately I would have Googled and “gotten” it. And by that I mean, “Oh, those star-crossed loved from The Notebook.” You should know that he watched the movie for the first time last year because he won a Nicholas Sparks joke award from his college mates, so I would say most college-age kids do get the reference. I am more surprised that your kids hadn’t heard of it than I am you hadn’t. We were busy raising kids when it was popular!</p>
<p>And I was blessed with a ds who likes romantic movies. Maybe we should get them together.</p>
<p>I wanted to mention you look really smart in your avatar, maybe it’s your glasses and medical bag. Maybe you only read medical journals. The Notebook came out about 1996 so today’s seniors were probably just being born. The movie came out in 2004, when they were starting kindergarten. I hesitated to answer the question about writing an essay about it.</p>
<p>Nicholas Sparks writes good romance novels that are picturesque and fun but in reality they’re written for about an eighth grade reading level. They’re entertainment. I enjoyed both book and movie but they’re IMO pleasant fluff. Sparks’ books are consistently entertaining. My daughter in ninth grade loves his books and I’m glad she’s enthusiastic about reading SOMETHING. I’m positive he’s her favorite author. IMO referencing a chick flick/romance novel in a college essay will frame the writer as a bit capricious. I’m thinking of the essay question, “what work of art, music or fiction has inspired you and why?” IMO this book is entertaining but doesn’t inspire deep thought, other than I’d like to visit Seabrook Island. </p>
<p>D and I have seen it many times. C’mon- it’s Ryan Gosling! I’ve also read all of Nicholas Sparks’s books. - light, fun reads. My favorite book of his is Three Weeks with My Brother, written with his brother about a trip and their lives growing up.</p>
<p>Ha! I am just trying to figure out if it really is something that one can’t be alive in the United States without knowing. I actually never saw Ghost but I know the actors, basic plot and iconic scene just by cultural osmosis. Ditto the whole Twilight saga. My D’s teen chick lit was Tamora Pierce. As a cat, I just intuit the best column of the paper and lay down on it . . . I then get all the knowledge by osmosis. It works with laptops as well. </p>
<p>Never saw it. Never even heard of it. But if Nicholas Sparks wrote it, I’m suspicious. I saw another Nicholas Sparks authored movie, Message in a Bottle. Spoiler: the message is Don’t watch this movie because it’s terrible.</p>
<p>It is just a terribly sweet, passionate movie. I doubt it was made or the book written to be in competition for any awards. People hate to admit they have a soft side or something. I had a great young love, didn’t you? And the elderly couple and the flashes of recognition for her…just heartwrenching; and how much he still loved her. No, no Oscars, no deep discussion material for your Saturday night get togethers. Just a really nice love story. Once in a while that’s refreshing.</p>
<p>I am not against it at all. It’s impossible to be against something that you’ve never heard of. I’m just trying to figure out if I’m alone in this. </p>
<p>My DH, for example, who isn’t in to sappy romance movies has still seen Titanic. My kids have seen Titanic. It’s doesn’t require any particular taste in movies to have heard of Titanic and probably sing a bar or two of the theme song. You could write a college essay about anything and use the line that your arms were spread wide like you were Rose standing on the prow of the Titanic and lots and lots of people would be able to picture that - men and women, young and old. The teen who posed the question and several responders seemed to feel that The Notebook also rises to this level of public consciousness. Betting that it does and betting wrong would be an essay flop. I was offering a second opinion that it might not be as ubiquitous as this teen thought. Of course I could still be wrong.</p>
<p>I haven’t read any of Nicholas Spark’s books. I haven’t seen any movies with Ryan Gosling much less the Notebook. I live in a house with testosterone overload - and have seen a limited set of chickflick movies. (Though I think I have seen most of the Hugh Grant ones.) There are big, big holes in the movies I’ve watched in the last 20 years. Once upon a time - I saw everything.</p>
<p>I have actually never heard of Nicholas Sparks until now. I looked him up and none of his books/movies sounded familiar. Maybe this under rock theory has some validity after all. ;)</p>
<p>As for OP’s question, I wouldn’t refer to that movie or characters in an essay. I don’t think it reaches the level where everyone would get the reference. (For Ryan Gosling - As long as you’re seeing Crazy, Stupid Love - also see Lars and the Real Girl, and Drive.) </p>
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