Which is appropriate, because I've written a grand total of two blog posts and both of them have been penned from, you guessed it, my bed.
If you're not a member of my immediate family, you may have been spared from my constant winter-time whining, but I am about to remedy that. I HATE DARKNESS I HATE IT THE SUN SHOULD SET WHEN I GO TO BED NOT AT FOUR IN THE AFTERNOON RAWR ;ALFKDJASD;LK Something about these early sunsets makes me not only weary and lazy, but irritable and anxious. I mean, sure I'm procrastinating on all my homework right now by writing a blog post, but I've been whittling away my time all evening. Edited a video, practiced singing songs for an audition over a month away, and made multiple cups of tea and one cup of hot chocolate with care. My room is even clean... well, not quite clean... organized? Nah. It's tidy. Everything is tucked in its place, (even if that place is under my bed or shoved in a closet).
Plus, I'm writing an extra blog post. BECAUSE I CAN. It's very "me" to write frivolous things like this instead of doing the writing I need to do for school. Due to a bit of unfortunate scheduling, I have AP Literature after my forty-five minute free period... I haven't written a single essay before the day it was due yet. It's becoming a problem, and I keep swearing I'll reform my ways, but I'm a terrible procrastinator and and and and yeah.
Speaking of procrastination, that college application. THAT COLLEGE APPLICATION. There's just one left. One. More. I mean, I feel like I should apply to more than four schools, but I've already gotten accepted to one of them? So.... I'm good right??? I feel inadequate when some of my peers are applying to ten or more schools. Does my confidence make me cocky? Even my "back-up" school (the University that already accepted me) isn't a shabby school... If offers both of the majors I want with pretty sizable programs for each.
I'm losing my point though. Point is, the one application I can't complete is the place I really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really want to go. Like, yeah I applied to Yale on a whim just to test my odds, and if I get in there I'll probably give it some real consideration. But this other University is like. The Thing. It's the reason I tried ridiculously hard in high school, it's the reason I've set crazy high standards for myself, heck it's the reason I've started watching Steven Colbert. There's your only hint to what school it is, haha. Basically, since most of the schools I applied to don't have independent internet applications, I have to use the CommonApp which, despite some of its major flaws, is a pretty neat invention. You fill out one general application with all the normal name-age-socialsecurity# bunk, write a pretty general "personal essay," and send it to a whole bunch of schools. Many schools include a "supplement" if they want to appear prissy and selective if they wish to collect extra information. Yale and The University both did this, and Yale's extra essay was the vaguest thing in the universe. In an essay of less than 500 words, elaborate on something we may not have learned about you from the rest of your application. a;kdlfja;l
I freaked out royally, but eventually churned out something I was really proud of. It was a tongue-in-cheek piece about my crappy hand-me-down car. It captured my voice pretty well, and I'll probably share it with the internet some day. What is rather unfortunate, however, is that my personal essay on the CommonApp pales in comparison. And I've already "locked in" to sending it to every university I'm applying to.
Well, that's alright, right Abby? Just send the pride-worthy car essay to The University too! They have a prissy little supplement too, right? Unfortunately their essay decided to be slightly less mind boggling-ly vague. It's more specific, that is, not less mind boggling.
The powers that be wish that I explain why I want to attend said university. What makes their program unique? How will I take advantage of what their undergraduate program has to over? (Read: Please kiss up to us.)
There's no word limit, or even word suggestion. It's not even called an essay-- it's a statement.
I've written out series of declarative sentences hoping that qualifies as a "statement," but I'm convinced I'm over thinking it. Additionally, the declarations are completely sarcastic and cynical. I attempted to capture the same playful voice I liked so much in my Yale essay, but I think it just comes off as apathetic and dark. a;lkjfads;f I have over a month to figure this out, but it's causing me undue stress. I've managed to be semi-chill about the whole panicked omg-my-entire-future-relies-on-this-stupid-online-form-that-a-human-or-handful-of-humans-will-read-and-evaluate feeling, but when it comes to my "dream school," it's impossible to stop my hands from trembling.
I've written out series of declarative sentences hoping that qualifies as a "statement," but I'm convinced I'm over thinking it. Additionally, the declarations are completely sarcastic and cynical. I attempted to capture the same playful voice I liked so much in my Yale essay, but I think it just comes off as apathetic and dark. a;lkjfads;f I have over a month to figure this out, but it's causing me undue stress. I've managed to be semi-chill about the whole panicked omg-my-entire-future-relies-on-this-stupid-online-form-that-a-human-or-handful-of-humans-will-read-and-evaluate feeling, but when it comes to my "dream school," it's impossible to stop my hands from trembling.
AAaaaaaand I just looked up and realized it's past ten PM. Where did that hour go?! I still have to memorize the function of the medulla oblongata for first period tomorrow! I'm also supposed to have written one essay in entirety, started another essay, and dabbled in some espanol~ I guess since I'm already in bed and all... time for some z's!
Now Playing: Bomb in a Birdcage (because A Fine Frenzy is calming and sunshiny)
Keyboard smashes in this post: 3
English Essays left unwritten: 2
College Applications left unfinished: 1
Blog Posts without a;sldfjka;s : 0
Hi Abby! It's Paula your (first) residence artist.
ReplyDeleteI was so thrilled, amazed and so surprised to see you make mention of my portrait of you in your previous vlog. Thank you for letting me know how much it meant to you. I got all emotional when I saw your video. So, thanks again!
I really, really hope you submit your fourth college application. I don't quite get the clue, being from Australia, but is it something to do with Canada? Anyway... please, please do it. I got into my first choice and it made all the difference. It'll be a perfect fit for you, I just know it will be.
Anyway, here is my unsolicited take on your college application question dilemma:
"What makes their program unique? How will I take advantage of what their undergraduate program has to over?"
Perhaps you should think about the topic, but answer it as if you were explain the whole situation to your Mum, or friends, or to us.
If you were talking to me about it, I'd want to hear about your strengths and your interests. What fires up your passion about this Uni/programme. What was it that first caught your attention and what kept you going back to it again and again as your first choice (or secret wish) option?
I'd also want to hear about the areas in your knowledge, or life, you'd like to expand on; in what ways do you want to be challenged? (ie. in what ways do this place compliment your unique strengths and weaknesses/needs/requirements).
I'd want to hear you talk about growth, about expanding your perceptions, dreams, and aspirations. And I'd want to hear about how you want to enrich the lives of those around you, through sharing your own story, and through all the new experiences you'll encounter during your time at the University.
Then wrap it all up by explaining how integral their Uni is in helping you achieve all that (stated above) and more (there'll be things you haven't get thought of/discovered about yourself and your abilities because you're not at Uni yet).
And end by sowing them how they are the key to the gift of 'opportunity'; the opportunity to becoming yourself in the most fullest sense.
Ok, I've probably gone on a bit and said too much. But I just wanted to hopefully spark off some ideas for you when you come to write your own statement/essay/dream-quest/story.
I hope you do send it in because I loved Uni and was greatly shaped by my time there. And best of all it gave me the confidence, desire and ability to be a student of/for life.
ps. Feel free to steal from anything I've written here - and good luck!
Opps, hopefully you'll also notice any spelling mistakes before you press the 'send' button!
ReplyDeleteHey Abby it's Colin!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel about college (well not the application part, because I don't have to do those for a long time.) I knowhow you feel about that dream college! I'm still really young but I have always, since I was little, wanted to go to college, and I knew exactly which one i wanted to go to.
I've done mostly everything that much better just to try and get into the college of my dreams which is still like four years away.
I've always wanted to go to Oxford because its in my favorite place in the whole world and it is literally my dream to go there.
I can imagine you would feel stressed on the application of your dream college because I would probably feel that it wasn't good enough and it would be potentially my own fault that I didn't get in!
If I could give advice to your problem I would say dont try to make it good! Make it a long page of rambles (BUT STILL EDIT :)) because that's you Abby, seeing your videos tumblr/youtube/twitter accounts I feel that your quirky and unique and you need to exhibit that in your application. I feel like I know you and I need to help :)
Good luck on your application and I think that blogging will be fun... It will be a new adventure into the crazy world of Abby... And I will read your posts every day and comment! <3
Blog you later! :)
Sincerely
Colin