Applicants often ask what topics will elicit the "right" responses in the minds of application reviewers and committee members in the Barnard Admissions Office. The challenge in responding to that question is that, in reading lots of applications each year, we have seen many responses that have been repeated and even many that might be considered "cliche." It would be shortsighted, however, to say that a student can't take a new viewpoint on what's been heard before. In fact, she may take a topic in an entirely new direction, based on her own experiences.
Students within the same day-to-day environment may have very different reflections to share. And, those with dissimilar backgrounds can take very different turns in their observations. For the purposes of college admissions, those differing experiences (as highlighted in an essay or writing supplement), in addition to the experiences faculty may share in their recommendations, are not only interesting and useful, but they allow us to think about when and how students might make their mark in an academic classroom at Barnard. Through your writing, we gain some insight into who you are and how you think about things.
If you asked readers in our office, we'd probably agree on some basic things:
Students within the same day-to-day environment may have very different reflections to share. And, those with dissimilar backgrounds can take very different turns in their observations. For the purposes of college admissions, those differing experiences (as highlighted in an essay or writing supplement), in addition to the experiences faculty may share in their recommendations, are not only interesting and useful, but they allow us to think about when and how students might make their mark in an academic classroom at Barnard. Through your writing, we gain some insight into who you are and how you think about things.
If you asked readers in our office, we'd probably agree on some basic things:
- We'd like to see you write about something in which you can be a reasonable expert, or at least a topic that is familiar or has meaning to you, but doesn't feel like a research paper. Often the closer you feel to a topic, the better you will be able to express yourself in your writing.
- We would like for you to truly (really) reflect on the topic you are choosing. Write your response and take some time to both answer the question and be thoughtful about why you chose this topic and how what you're writing about has impacted you.
- We are not expecting to hear the wisdom of a 50-year-old, looking back on her life. It is okay to not have all the answers and it's far better to write in your own voice, rather than in a voice you'd expect we want to hear. Be genuine and authentic.
No comments:
Post a Comment