What does this imply about me?

Applying to College
1

<p>The prompt is to describe yourself in two words…what do you think about me if I described myself as:</p>

<p>Secretly Happy</p>

2

<p>Okay, quick, gut reaction: I think you adopt an angsty, emo demeanor in order to fit in with your peers, even though that’s not how you really experience the world.</p>

<p>Fun prompt.</p>

3

<p>Okay…what about…</p>

<p>Silent Helper</p>

4

<p>You do random acts of kindness. You don’t need or desire recognition. But you are too shy to express why you do help people.</p>

5

<p>I like secretly happy- doesn’t imply angst to me, implies happy. Which is a darned good thing to feel in the midst of all the app choas and with all the competition. Implies grounded, has perspective. Made me smile.<br>
I took secretly to mean you don’t go around all bouncey bouncey, “have a nice day,” smiley emoticons. Just that inner peace. Yo, I like it so much.</p>

<p>In contrast, silent helper feels like you want them to know you are a helper- not the same as the inner revelation.</p>

6

<p>I see “Silent Helper” more like “Humble Helper”: you’re not supposed to tell people that you’re humble if you are, as that defeats the whole purpose. “Secretly Happy” seems corny at first, but it has this underlying implication that you’re serious or solemn on the outside, but you’re satisfied with who you are on the inside.</p>

7

<p>So confusing…both have negative and positive connotations…this is harder than the essay!</p>

8

<p>I definitely like “silent helper” far better than “secretly happy”. Why would you not want the world to know that you are happy? I agree with Skeezy that silent helper sounds like a person who works to make the world a better place, but has a humility about himself.</p>

9

<p>Connotations are so weird. I actually meant that “Silent Helper” seems almost contradictory in nature, since you’re blatantly stating what’s supposed to be secret or undercover and are not being secret at all (sorta like a supposedly humble person constantly bragging about being humble). On the other hand, “Secretly Happy” seems almost soft and cliche but has a firmer edge of seriousness. At first glance I actually liked “Silent Helper,” but now I’m leaning toward “Secretly Happy.” I guess you can see by all the responses though that there’s no clear-cut better and it’s more about who reads your “essay.”</p>