"I'm a a royal pain" - Stanford Roommate Essay

Ok, so here's the prompt:
2. Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate - and us - know you better.

I decided to do something I never thought I would - answer with total and complete honesty. Please let me know what you think. Do you think I even answered the prompt? Is this the sort of thing they're looking for?

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Who am I? You have no idea. To be honest, neither do I. After hours of pondering this question, I've decided that the answer could be found in the people who know me best.

According to my mother, I'm - direct quote - a royal pain. You see my books have a tendency to end up sprawled open on every conceivable surface. At first, my mother swallowed her annoyance of my localized hurricanes, but her OCD could only be contained for so long. I think she finally lost it when she found a copy of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance balanced precariously on top of a lamp shade. Frankly, despite the countless lectures I've endured for this behavior, I have no regrets. Find a way to fully appreciate a book when it's neatly restrained, shut and rigid, up on a bookshelf. I dare you.

Ask my friend Kim and she'll answer (a little too quickly) "in one word - quirky." I'd be lying if I said there weren't hundreds of examples to support her droll declaration. You've probably already experienced this first hand simply surveying our room: I'm captivated by M.C. Esher, I have three different types of Rubix cubes, and the cookies sitting on my desk are not the usual chocolate-chip, rather, they're white-chocolate pumpkin drops (you're free to try some by the way!)

All in all, though I haven't found myself yet, I'm not worried. Based on these opinions, I'd say I'm pretty interesting. Hopefully you'll think so too.

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It needs a lot of work. I appreciate any input! I'll be up all night :)

I definitely like the lightheartedness, it lets your roommate know you're a fun person. I really like the examples you give too, they help by getting other people's opinions on you instead of just you're own (because don't we all think highly of ourselves? (: ).

Thank you! Hopefully Stanford will agree!

I'm worried it may be cliche, I'm not sure how people usually answer this prompt.

Also, I realized I spelled Escher wrong - I clearly need to get some sleep. Unfortunately, that won't be happening tonight haha.

"I dare you."
That was cute :)

I really liked your writing in the royal pain paragraph. You come off as pretty funny, definitely the kind of person I'd like to room with! (I leave my books all over the place as well-my mom is horrified by my room.)

Check out my Stanford roomie essay if you want-I'd love some feedback!

Grace

I actually enjoyed the genuineness in this essay. It definitely shows your character; the piece especially demonstrates your simplicity, honesty, and fearlessness to be yourself.

Great job, and good luck with the Stanford supplement!

I thought you were not suppose to use contractions?
maybe I'm wrong, but that's what i've been hearing everywhere

You shouldn't use contraction's in formal essays, but this is more of a letter format, more informal. In the end, depending on what the writer wants to do, contractions can be acceptable.