Feedback about approach of Bowdoin supplemental essay

Hi everyone,

I am currently working on the Bowdoin supplemental essay. This is the prompt:

Bowdoin students and alumni often cite world-class faculty and opportunities for intellectual engagement, the College's commitment to the Common Good, and the special quality of life on the coast of Maine as important aspects of the Bowdoin experience. Reflecting on your own interests and experiences, please comment on one of the following:

1. Intellectual engagement
2. The Common Good
3. Connection to place

I wrote an essay about generally what I feel is intellectually engaging and how I enjoy learning. Do you think this is a bad approach? Should I make it more creative and cite a specific experience or situation? I think my essay is well-written, I'm just worried about my approach.

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

I always believed a specific experience will show the admission officers rather than tell them. Use a story with a-lot of vivid image.

Thanks for the reply! My only problem is that I cannot think of an intellectually engaging experience that would be interesting enough for 250 words... are there any types of situations that you think would work well for this? I'm having trouble brainstorming.

You should also write about how you personally connected with a teacher in addition to the topic you said.

Yep, use these terms in the body paragraphs of what you write. One per paragraph. That will give it good structure. But the first paragraph has to be an intro paragraph that mentions a theme that unites all three of these. The first paragraph has to be an intro and makes the reader feel fascinated and interested in the action of the essay.

What is your main purpose? What will you do to change people's experience? Answer these questions as a way of expressing your unique truth, your unique message.

:-)