“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep” -Scott Adams. From the time I began creating imaginary scenes out of real life situations to when I started building a business out of fashion in high school, creativity was and has always been one of my biggest passions. I find myself constantly pushing the envelope and exploring the world of art in the most unique and fascinating ways.
When something makes me lose track of time and I get lost in the moment, I recognize it is significant to me. The most prevalent example of this occurring in my life is when I am acting or creating imaginary scenes from real life situations. I think about acting more than anything else on a daily basis and nearly every situation in which I find myself. The complexity of acting is fascinating because it allows for me to be a part of an idea that is typically larger than life, out of this world, or simply an alternate reality. In my head I imagine a camera ready to film everyday scenarios and I analyze how I would approach each scene through multiple different emotions or themes. I’ve always noticed my brain works more creatively in situations where people wouldn’t typically give the issue at hand much thought and I imagine myself pushing the envelope. Ultimately, character creation is what captivates me. It is the time with a script where I feel I am actually connecting with someone unique. I find acting enticing because I tend to overthink things in life and acting allows me to prepare for various scenarios that I’ve contemplated too much previously in real life situations. In daily interactions or conversations, I always think to myself how I could have expressed or presented myself differently and acting allows for me to fantasize a new outcome.
Let me share another example of what makes me lose track of time on something I really enjoy. Being part of the fashion and branding world while building a business around it on my own has been a major distraction…in a good way. I’ve always found much pleasure in expressing myself in the way I dress and I think of it as art. Putting an outfit together allows for a daily creative outlet and during high school I have been able to mix the worlds of clothing and business. Since my sophomore year, I have been buying and selling pieces of clothing through an online portal I created and have continued doing so to this day. It allows me to see the details of running a business whether it be from communicating to customers around the world or being able to calculate profits from total revenue. I find it extremely rewarding going about my day while getting notifications that one of my items sold and my focus immediately turns to fulfilling the sale as everything else becomes secondary. I have been able to make this my job throughout high school. I hope to build a brand of my own and create clothing and other merchandise inspired by some of my favorite designers and creators.
Strengths:
In your essay, you demonstrate a strong appreciation for the complexity of acting. You write, “The complexity of acting is fascinating because it allows for me to be a part of an idea that is typically larger than life, out of this world, or simply an alternate reality.” This is a great example of how you can express a deep understanding of the topic and provide insight into your creative approach to problem-solving.
You also demonstrate a strong sense of business acumen with your experience in fashion and branding. You write, “Putting an outfit together allows for a daily creative outlet and during high school I have been able to mix the worlds of clothing and business.” This shows your ability to think strategically and how you are able to use problem-solving skills to build a business.
Something to Improve:
You should consider expanding on your passion for acting and business to provide more evidence of your commitment to these topics. For example, you could provide more detail about the types of scenes you create in your head and the types of emotions and themes you explore when acting. You could also provide more detail about the business you have built and the strategies you have implemented to make it successful. Additionally, you could provide more detail about the types of clothing you buy and sell and the unique styles you have created. By providing more detail about these topics, you will be able to demonstrate your commitment to and knowledge of acting and business.
Strengths:
One of the strongest qualities in your essay is your focus on personal attributes and skills. You showcase your passion and empathy by discussing your love of acting and your ability to analyze how you would approach each scene through multiple different emotions or themes. You also provide evidence of your creative thinking by discussing your fashion and branding business and how it allows you to express yourself. Your essay also expresses your uniqueness by discussing how you think of acting “more than anything else on a daily basis” and how it allows you to be part of an idea that is “larger than life.” To improve on this quality, make sure to tie your passion for acting, fashion, and business to the values and goals of the college you’re applying to and how you can contribute to the college campus.
Something to Improve:
One of the qualities you need to focus on improving is your holistic approach to your essay. While you provide evidence of your passion and creativity, you need to make sure to also discuss your academic achievements and your academic goals. Provide evidence of your academic excellence and discuss how you plan to use the educational resources of the college or university to reach your academic goals. Additionally, discuss any extracurricular activities or volunteer work that you have participated in and how they have helped shape your character. Showing evidence of your commitment to service and leadership can help make your essay stand out.
