• Business School
    • Admissions Help
    • MBA Essay Tips
    • Executive MBA Essay Tips
    • MBA Admissions Calendar
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
    • Selectivity Index
    • EMBA: The Ultimate Guide for Applicants
  • Medical School
    • Admissions Help
    • Med School Admissions 101
    • Secondary Essay Tips (by School)
    • Student Interviews
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
    • Selectivity Index
  • Law School
    • Admissions Help
    • Law School Admissions 101
    • Selectivity Index
    • Free Guides
    • Podcast
    • Video Tips
  • Graduate School
    • Admissions Help
    • Grad School Admissions 101
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
  • College
    • Admissions Help
    • Free Guides
    • Supplemental Essay Tips
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
Accepted

1 (310) 815-9553

Blog HomePodcastContact Us

Accepted Admissions Blog

Everything you need to know to get Accepted

February 1, 2006

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Metaphors in your Personal Statement and Application Essay

You can use a metaphor as a phrase in your essay or as a whole theme that envelopes your essay. In either case, if used well and thoughtfully, metaphors will add color to your essay and anchor it with concrete images.

I wrote previously about using metaphors in phrases as well as other techniques to enliven your writing . Let’s discuss metaphors as themes in this post. You can reveal an interest or hobby by using it as a metaphor. For instance, I used my favorite hobby, hiking, in "Personal Statement Tip: Topic Choice,"  my cross-country ski expertise or lack thereof in "Wimp Hill," and cooking in "Recipe for Disaster: Application Mistakes You Want to Avoid" (MBA) and Recipe for Disaster: (Law) . The author of college sample essay, While the World Sleeps, successfully uses running to convey her boundless energy and determination. In all cases,  personal experience frames the piece, allows the writer to better connect with the readers, and adds interest.

Be genuine when choosing your metaphor and reflect a real passion of yours. If you never cook, don’t use a cooking metaphor. If you are a couch potato, don’t talk about ironman marathons. But if old silent movies are a love of yours, what do you see in that form of entertainment and what have you learned about human communication through those oldies?

 And if you aren’t interested in silent movies, running, hiking, cross country, or cooking, what makes you tick? Painting? Tennis? Drama? Dance? What have you learned in this activity? How has it changed you? Could you use it in an essay?  Think about it.

Article by Linda Abraham / College Admissions, Grad School Admissions, Law School Admissions, MBA Admissions, Medical School Admissions / application essay, personal statement

Get Accepted!

Choose your desired degree and then the service that best meets your needs.

Which program are you applying to?

What do you need help with?

Join the informed applicants who read Accepted's blog!

8 Popular Posts

1. 7 Simple Steps to Writing an Excellent Diversity Essay

2. How to Write About Your Research Interests

3. 4 Ways to Show How You’ll Contribute in the Future

4. When Will Medical Schools Give You an Answer?

5. How to Write a Goal Statement for Graduate School

6. 4 Must Haves in a Med School Letter of Interest

7. Writing Your Physician Assistant (PA) Personal Statement [Plus Sample Essay]

8. Preparing for Your MBA Interview Questions

Recent Posts

  • What is INSEAD Looking For?
  • UC Berkeley Haas Expands Deferred MBA Program
  • Predoc & Premed Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
  • Should You Apply in Round 3? Let’s Find Out!
  • What a Law Career Is Really Like [Episode 401]
This Site is Featured on GMATClub

Home Page Services and Prices MBA Med School Law School Grad School College

About Us Press Room Contact Us Podcast Accepted Blog
Privacy Policy Website Terms of Use Disclaimer Client Terms of Service

Accepted 1171 S. Robertson Blvd. #140 Los Angeles CA 90035 +1 (310) 815-9553
© 2021 Accepted

BBB A+ RatingStamp of AIGAC Excellence

Copyright © 2021 · Education Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in