Is it just me or is writing

[SC4EVA]

a personal statement for school/admissions etc the most annoying and hardest thing to do. I absolutely hate. To apply for this fellowship I need to write 850 words about myself (snore). Give me a 20 page paper and I am good to go. SUCKS!

 

[heatherrae]

We had to write one for law school admissions, too. I HATED it. I usually resort to a tad bit of self-deprecating humor and try to avoid too much "save the world" stuff. Those admission officers read that in every essay and know that 99.9% of those people never go on to do any of that stuff.

 

[KillahBee]

I loved it. I went off on some crazy ass tangent which probably sounded at least "a tad arrogant" and concluded with me basically saying I plan to take over the world.

It worked.

 

[Gymgurl]

I was just gonna say act like KB and love yourself beyond life its self and BS away

 

[heatherrae]

I think that arrogance isn't really the way to go. They see that so much with so little follow through that it smacks of a bit of immaturity to be that full of hubris.

 

[KillahBee]

I think that arrogance isn't really the way to go. They see that so much with so little follow through that it smacks of a bit of immaturity to be that full of hubris.

Yeah, it didn't work for me.

- got into Grad school, was in the top of my class, now working for one of the top agencies in the industry

great point.

nobody is saying to be cocky or to oversell and under deliver. But every resume/cover letter/college app is the SAME nowadays. Take a chance, man. Be a little different. Don't be afraid to be what people like Heather consider "arrogant". Go for it - but in a tasteful, classy manner (keeping in mind your audience).

 

[samoth]

I can relate. I hate trying to place myself on a pedaetal and say why I'm so good for this-or-that muggawugga. I'd just as well prefer pointing out my faults and weaknesses because that is what I'm concerned about improving.

If you want help, try www.collegeconfidential.com and go to their forums. They have lots of people willing to help, as well as a few anonymous ad coms who can give you some honest critique. You're totally not alone in this, trust me.

 

[heatherrae]

Yeah, it didn't work for me.

- got into Grad school, was in the top of my class, now working for one of the top agencies in the industry

great point.

nobody is saying to be cocky or to oversell and under deliver. But every resume/cover letter/college app is the SAME nowadays. Take a chance, man. Be a little different. Don't be afraid to be what people like Heather consider "arrogant". Go for it - but in a tasteful, classy manner (keeping in mind your audience).

Perhaps you got in DESPITE your essay instead of BECAUSE of your essay.

 

[KillahBee]

Perhaps you got in DESPITE your essay instead of BECAUSE of your essay.

Then fuck, I'm even better than I thought.....


SC - it's not about talking about yourself, nobody wants to hear that. I hate cover letters or resumes that say "I am this and I am that". A person describing themselves means NOTHING. Show them using concrete examples.

My essay was not a pat on the back to myself. It was a piece about my dreams and what type of person it takes to achieve those dreams.