<p>Hey all - two things. First, is it OK to reference Wikipedia in a college essay? Specifically, the NU supplement. Second, is it true that NU’s colors used to be black and gold? Because a university committee concluded that too many other universities had used these colors? Thanks.</p>
<p>no. please do not cite wikipedia. ever.</p>
<p>nice user name</p>
<p>natalieportman! gosh. evey, padame. I’d marry her so hard.</p>
<p>I think I did and I did fine. Don’t listen to risubu. </p>
<p>What’s wrong with writing say, for a “Why NU” essay (with made up facts btw):</p>
<p>I could spend this essay talking about Northwestern’s 117 Nobel Laureates, top-15 engineering program, and 4 billion dollar endowment. But that’s just information from Northwerstern’s Wikipedia page. Rather, I’m going to write about Northwestern’s culture and how Northwestern and I would both benefit if I were to matriculate there.</p>
<p>“I could spend this essay talking about Northwestern’s 117 Nobel Laureates, top-15 engineering program, and 4 billion dollar endowment. But that’s just information from Northwerstern’s Wikipedia page. Rather, I’m going to write about Northwestern’s culture and how Northwestern and I would both benefit if I were to matriculate there.”</p>
<p>What’s wrong with that? Well…</p>
<p>It’s cliche. It’s a waste of space. It adds nothing to the content of the essay. It’s boring. It’s nothing any idiot with google and wikipedia couldn’t figure out in 30 seconds. It wastes the audience’s time.</p>
<p>Here’s a better version: “I’m going to write about Northwestern’s culture and how Northwestern and I would both benefit if I were to matriculate there.”</p>
<p>I HIGHLY reccommend everyone going through college admissions read Harry Bald’s “On Writing the College Application Essay” It’s a superb book on writing in general.</p>
<p>^You missed my point. I was thinking of a way to reference Wikipedia that is not a no-no. That’s what the OP was wondering.</p>
<p>Oh and if you’re going to be anal, I don’t like your better version. It’s a waste of space. It adds nothing to the content of the essay. It’s boring. It wastes the audience’s time.</p>
<p>Yes, it does. I’m glad you recognize that. Hopefully everyone can learn from this experience. I DID miss your point though, so my bad on that count. But don’t encourage bad writing when giving advice :P</p>
<p>And in informal writing, there’s nothing wrong with citing Wikipedia, but there’s also very little reason to cite anything in informal writing.</p>
<p>I agree about not citing sources in informal writing. I just thought if I stated something that I got from Wikipedia that was totally and utterly wrong, it would be…looked down upon. I mean, that’s obviously true, but I just wanted to get your guys’ thoughts.</p>
<p>Anyhow, I was referring specifically to the second question from the OP: is it true that NU’s colors used to be black and gold, and for the reason above? That’s the only thing I need confirmed. I know it seems trivial, but it would have a bit of importance in my essay if it were true.</p>
<p>Destroyer: I would marry her too, and I’m a straight girl. She’s spunky.</p>
<p>Another essay about purple fitting you. Ah well.</p>
<p>Anyway, yes, as far as I know that’s the case.</p>
<p>Thanks, arbiter. On second thought, I threw that part out. ;)</p>