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Poetry in essays?

I have a bit of an odd question—can a college essay be a poem? Like, has anyone ever submitted one and actually gotten into a good college?

a year ago

Hey there! So you're thinking about getting a bit creative with your college essay—that's pretty cool! To answer your question, yes, you can absolutely submit a poem as your college essay. This kind of format can really showcase your personality, passion, and writing skills in a unique way. It's all about standing out, right? Now, there have definitely been cases where applicants got into great schools with essays that were poems.

But remember, this approach isn't a one-size-fits-all. It's crucial that the poem still addresses the prompt and provides insight into who you are beyond just a love for rhyme and meter. If you're confident that your poem can do just that and reflects your strengths, then go for it! Just make sure you're not sacrificing clarity and relevance for the sake of art.

For example, if the prompt asks about a challenge you've overcome, and you can express that experience poetically while making a strong, clear point about your growth and resilience, then a poem can be a unique and compelling choice.

a year ago

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.