Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

College essay in a scientific procedure layout—cool or trying too hard?

I'm a massive science nerd and I was thinking of structuring my college essay like a lab report or a scientific procedure to highlight my passion for research. Do you guys think admissions officers would appreciate the creativity, or is it over the top?

a year ago

Hey there! I totally understand the urge to showcase your passion for science in your college essay—that’s a great idea! Structuring your essay like a lab report could definitely be a creative approach, as long as it maintains a clear narrative and makes a personal connection to who you are beyond just the lab. Remember, admissions officers read tons of essays, so a unique format could potentially make yours stand out.

However, it's important to ensure that your essay doesn’t become too gimmicky or difficult to follow. It should still answer the prompt effectively and provide insight into your thinking processes, values, and aspirations. For example, if you're discussing a specific experiment, you could reflect on what the outcomes taught you about persistence or problem-solving. As always, clarity and authenticity are key. If the science-aligned structure fits your story naturally and you feel it strengthens your essay, then it could work in your favor. Just be sure to ask for feedback from others before submitting it!

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

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.