Question: I have always enjoyed writing, and have recently begun keeping a journal. It sounds sappy and sophomoric, but, it makes me happy. This has sparked in me an interest in possibly starting a blog centering around teen writing. The blog would include posts featuring noteworthy writing contests for students, writing tips, and highlights in the realm of literature , specifically, writers popular amongst the teenage set.
I was sort of curious as to how such an endeavor might be perceived by an admissions committee; good, bad, odd? Is this just insanity at its finest, an eleventh grader starting a blog? Even feasible? Any insight is appreciated.
<p>There are already a number of Web sites, blogs, and online magazines that feature work by teen writers as well as other pertinent information. "<a href="http://www.teenink.com/" target="_blank">Teen Ink</a>" is probably the best known, but there are lots of others ... some initiated by adults and others by younger aspiring authors. Of course, this doesn't mean that you can't take a shot at your <em>own </em>vision of what such a blog could be, but do approach the project knowing that it's not unique. </p><p>As far as admission officers go, certainly they would view your project as time well spent. But will it offer you a really<em> big</em> boost at decision time? At the most selective colleges, probably not ... unless your blog is especially entertaining or has a unique angle that makes it stand apart from the others. </p><p>Alternatively, perhaps you can write an entire novel yourself ... whether you use your current journal as a starting point or come up with an unrelated idea. Lots of college-bound students proclaim in their applications that they love to write. But, if you can actually <em>prove </em>that claim with a finished novel (even if it's not yet a<em> published</em> novel), then this might catch an admission officer's eye.</p><p>I'm not saying to skip the blog entirely. But my advice is to do it only if you want to give it a try for its <em>own</em> sake and not just for its potential as application fodder.</p>
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