College Essay Writing Tips: Less is More
You’ve probably heard the saying “less is more.” It’s often attributed to German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who was part of the pre-World War II Bauhaus Movement of minimalist design. (In fact, the poet Robert Browning first wrote it in his 1855 poem, “Andrea del Sarto.”) Regardless of its origins, you’ll hear that advice in regards to fashion, culinary arts, and decor. Especially decor.
Think about walking into a home that’s just … too much. A zillion textures and colors, knick knacks galore, multiple design styles all competing with each other. Every object may be beautiful in its own right, but you don’t know where to look first! You can’t focus on any details because everything is assaulting your eyeballs.
One of my favorite Yiddish words describes this phenomenon: ungapatchka. (Or ongepotchket. There are probably half a dozen additional spellings!) The point is, this home may contain a gorgeous vase or stunning painting. But you wouldn’t know it because there’s just too much other stuff getting in the way.
Well, writing can be ungapatchka too. A visual tongue twister filled with adjectives and adverbs (so many adverbs), just gushing with enthusiasm because you so deeply want to get your point across and impress the reader with your esteemed writing prowess, and your deep, unbridled, heart-thumping passion for this area of study, and joyously meeting new and exciting people of all backgrounds and beliefs, and visibly demonstrating, to the highest degree, your grit and determination and bold, resolute, undauntable work ethic … (did you actually make it to the end of this paragraph?)
Here are two sentences that describe my love of physics. (Note: these are fictional! I actually cried in both my high school and college physics classes. Full on tears. Anyhoo…)
Physics is the basis of our wondrous universe, allowing us to explore, understand and harness its unknown powers, the very powers that I endeavor to gain expertise in and apply to the betterment of our world.
or
When I walk into 3rd period Physics, my knees buckle. And I mean that in a good way.
Which one do you prefer?
Less is more. Because when your essay is one of thousands that will be read by an admissions officer, you don’t want extra verbiage to get in the way of that quietly brilliant insight – the one short phrase that sounds like you, and just might knock their socks off.