BU describe yourself - how to be creative with this prompt

Hi - Boston University's supplemental essay prompt reads: In an essay of no more than 500 words, please select three words that describe you best and tell us how you will use these qualities/characteristics to contribute fully to the BU community.

I am a pretty good writer. My other essays are unique and grabbing. This prompt makes it difficult to write in a way that would capture the reader. Looking for a way to tackle it that might make it a little more exciting.

Any ideas?

500 words is a deceptively large amount of space! It is enough to create a real narrative to underpin your answer to the prompt--and the best essays will do so. Here are some potential ideas for a framework, ranging from the wacky to the more traditional:

--use 'tweets' from a twitter feed (if you are on Twitter!) to reveal what others have said about you.
--take excerpts from what very different people in your life have said about you, and use them to set off each paragraph.
--focus on a specific story and show how it reveals 3 of your most significant traits.
--who knows you best? Your best friend, your precocious 9 yr-old cousin? Ask the person--and maybe in that process there is an interesting, comical or humanizing set-up for your essay.

Be sure to choose traits that are interesting. Smart, friendly, and funny are 'ok' and viable options--but if you choose them, you will have to make sure your essay is creative and super-reflective. You might have an easier time drawing from traits that are less conventional, and that highlight your personality or qualities not evident on the rest of your application!

All my best,
Janson
Ivy Eyes Editing
www.ivyeyesediting.com

Hi,
The suggestions above me are really good so its kind of a tough act to follow!

Another way to think of 3 traits is to think of the different activities you do: Are you a leader? Do you play sports? Tutor kids? Do Community Service? Work at a job? Babysit? Anything will work

If you look at your different activities you will be sure to find really great adjectives to work with and then you can use those activities as examples of your descriptions

hope this helps!

Thanks! I like Ivyeyes ideas. Coming up with the traits to write about is not my problem. I was just having a difficult time trying to figure out how to write about them in a way that wouldn't be boring - like listing off traits and explanations. I think I will use another essay I wrote about an experience I had that displays my traits. Appreciate the help!

For this essay you should focus a lot on your personality in what you like doing and the experiences you've had. I know from my own experience it is one of the most difficult essays ("finished with mine last week" ).. and remember no more than 500 words.


take your time .

Good luck .

Why? This seems like an ideal opportunity. You can be very clever about it. I don't want you to use someone else's idea... come up with some words that will remind the reader of themselves or their loved ones -- always writing with the reader in mind... trying to hypnotize the reader.

Choose words that resound in the mind of the reader... but let the words come from your own inspiration. Listen to a song by Matisyahu for inspiration! :)