Ok so yeah I am applying to several different grad schools, and these applications are all the same bull****.

they seem like a **** test to me.

for example:

what makes you suitable for this kind of environment?
explain what strengths that you have that would allow you to contribute to our school.
what separates you from the other students who are applying for a seat at this institution?

basically, in other words, what makes you so good as to be accepted to this school?

it is engrained in my heart, mind, and soul, to pull some alpha **** and totally redirect the conversation, flip the set, make the school qualify, pay indirect compliments, GUYS YOU KNOW WHAT IM SAYING.

what I am asking is, would you compromise your standards in applying to a grad school and qualify yourself? or do you think the admissions boards would read an alphas comments and be like WOW THIS GUY IS SO ALPHA WE GOTTA LET HIM IN. HE EXUDES CONFIDENCE, SO LETS LET HIM IN.

I wouldnt go that route. Do you REALLY think they care about your alphaness? Another prime example of people taking this shyt too far, if you ask me.

It may be a test, but its about your intelligence. They want to see thoughtful, intelligent, and creative answers.

Besides, that alpha shyt only works IF they are already somewhat interested in you. It will NEVER work on anyone with no IL, (like your school, for example). If you are a star quarterback, with several schools fighting for you, THEN, you could pull that.

In grad school interviews, you'll alienate people by socially dominating them and acting aggressively.

If you are REALLY good, then they'll be fully aware that you're evaluating them as much as they are you. You absolutely can't pull that DHV garbage, because you're THE APPLICANT.

There are several pitfalls to avoid when filling out grad school applications (not necessarily in order of importance):

Self-deprecation= all acknowledged weaknesses in your app must be portrayed in a light that makes you a stronger candidate i.e. my "alternate" career path to this grad program, like if you're not applying to a similar program as your undergrad, provides me with a unique skillset that can be applied in -this- way or -that- way.

Arrogance: Never directly state how awesome you are, or how awesome other people think that you are. Your essays MUST contain anecdotal evidence that you're a great candidate, but they MUST portray your character traits in a subtler way than "I completed 12 case studies in under 30 minutes, which my mentor told me was 5 times faster than her last undergrad)" THis kind of story would get your fast-tracked into the NO pile.

Try to remember that grad school may in fact turn out to be the most humbling experience of your life. You think you've got skills out of undergrad, but you're still at the bottom of the academic barrel.

I implore you to be confident, but NEVER ****y in an interview essay or interview.

trolling i hope