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This Girl's College Admissions Essay About "SpongeBob" Changing Her Life Is Going Viral, And It's Inspiring For All Creative Minds

Kalissa Persaud's college admissions essay not only got her into UCLA and USC — it was also viewed over 7.1 million times on TikTok, touching on both nostalgia and the impact our favorite kids shows still have on us today. "It showed me that my imagination could run wild."

BuzzFeed Staff

This is Kalissa Persaud , a 21-year-old college graduate who recently looked back at her acceptance into top performing schools like University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC). And though getting into one of these schools — which have admission rates of about 9% and 12% , respectively — is quite the feat, it's her admissions essay that has people talking.

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Earlier this month, when Kalissa read her college admissions essay on TikTok , over 7.1 million people tuned in for what would be an unexpectedly heartfelt ride that discussed the impact shows from our childhood have on who we become as adults.

@kalissapersaud Replying to @waitingfordhoom4 one of my favorite pieces i’ve ever written☝️ it’s important to be yourself in your applications! enjoy enjoy enjoy! #😎 #fyp #fyp #usc #ucla #spongebob #collegeessay #collegeessaytips #college ♬ original sound - kalizzle🤹🏽‍♀️

"If I had to estimate, I'd say I've watched every episode of SpongeBob SquarePants at least eight times," Kalissa's college admissions essay begins. "I speak candidly when I say SpongeBob is my hero."

"Hearing chuckles and seeing contorted faces when I declare this is inevitable," she admits. "But nonetheless, I say it with the utmost candor and confidence every time. And why shouldn't I? I've devoted 13 years of my life to this sponge."

Kalissa goes on to recall her earliest memories of watching SpongeBob — when she was 4 years old and would return from school, immediately begging her grandmother to change the channel from Bollywood movies to her fave yellow sea creature. Then, to her grandmother's dismay, she'd belt out the theme song and perform — moments that, in hindsight, fueled her dreams of becoming an actor.

"It's no secret that the setup of the SpongeBob SquarePants show is bizarre," she reads in her video. "A sea sponge, a starfish, and an octopus (ironically named Squidward) are neighbors; a crab has a whale daughter; and the antagonist of the show is an evil genius zooplankton with a computer wife. One could choose to criticize the ridiculousness of the show or simply indulge in the absurdity of it all. I indulged."

"There were no rules in the episodes. The opportunities were limitless. It showed me that my imagination could run wild and, more importantly, being able to access my imagination was a meaningful skill," she said.

"Seeing these zany scenarios planted a seed in my brain at a crucial development stage, which in turn made me a more creative person."

"Being myself has never been an issue for me, but believing in myself was. Especially in my first year of high school. I was stuck in a rut. I felt mediocre all the time. Whenever I thought of any scenario, my mind made a list of every little thing that could go wrong, even if it was completely irrational."

"I thought back to the first episode of SpongeBob in which a swarm of anchovies came to feast at the Krusty Krab, where SpongeBob is seeking employment as a fry cook. He keeps calm amongst all of the anchovy chaos despite it being his first day, and efficiently serves Krabby Patties. I questioned when I became so doubtful. If SpongeBob could serve a thousand anchovies on his first day, then I could definitely try to gain some lost confidence back," she reasoned.

"SpongeBob has been a driving force in shaping the person I am today in more ways than I thought," she said. "SpongeBob may be responsible for my passion for acting. After all, being an actor requires confidence and imagination — two things of mine that were greatly developed through watching SpongeBob. 

I look forward to further developing these things throughout college and the rest of my life. In the words of Mr. SquarePants himself, 'I'm ready!'" 

In addition to receiving major points for nostalgia, nearly 9,000 people flooded Kalissa's comment section with praise for her essay's voice, originality, and emphasis on the value of kooky children's programming that doesn't always need to "make sense" to matter.

When speaking to BuzzFeed about her decision to focus on SpongeBob instead of more typical essay topics, Kalissa shared that she was applying to schools with theater programs where she could earn a bachelor's degree in acting, and the character is responsible for her passion. "SpongeBob encouraged, and continues to encourage, me to be the best version of myself: to be courageous, imaginative, curious, bold, passionate, and caring (even if to a fault)," the 21-year-old said. "Once I got the idea to write about the show, nothing else I had brainstormed really made sense."

In the end, kalissa's essay earned her entry to usc, ucla, pace university, fordham university, purchase college, binghamton university, queens college, hunter college, and baruch college, which she says felt like "a scene out of a coming-of-age movie.".

This past January, she graduated from Hunter College with a major in theater and minor in English.  

Though USC and UCLA were tempting offers, Kalissa shared, "I chose to go to college at a commuter school in NYC because it gave me the flexibility to keep auditioning professionally while still working toward my degree. College is really what you make of it, and in the last 3.5 years, I was able to exercise my audition muscle, make connections within the industry, and even book a commercial ."

As for the future? She said, "Post-grad life is uncharted territory for sure, but whatever comes next, 'I’m ready.'"

If you'd like to keep up with kalissa, you can follow her on tiktok and instagram ., share this article.

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High School Student With 5.1 GPA Wrote A SpongeBob Essay And Was Rejected By Every Ivy League University Despite Being #1 In His Class

He tried to stand out and it worked — just not in the way he intended..

By John Sundholm — Written on Apr 07, 2023

Getting into college seems to be getting harder and harder with each passing academic year, and when you're a kid trying to get into the Ivy League, it can feel nigh on impossible. 

One student on TikTok with a sterling academic resume, Gideon Trenary, wanted to be sure he stood out from all the rest of the applicants, so he went out on a limb with a hilariously eye-catching and unique application resume.

It definitely worked—but not at all in the way he expected.

A high school valedictorian wrote an essay about Spongebob to stand out on his Ivy League college applications.

Sure, he's #1 in his class and has a GPA that would make even many over-achievers hang their heads in shame. But in today's cut-throat college application landscape, that's often not enough. So what better way to stand out than an essay titled "My Life As a SpongeBob Episode," right?

RELATED:  'Gifted' Student With 4.0 GPA Calls Herself A 'Failure' After Being Rejected From All California Universities

The student's college essay was about how his parents' divorce shaped his life, told via characters from 'SpongeBob Squarepants.'

In his video, Trenary said that he used the SpongeBob essay, in which SpongeBob was a stand-in for himself, to apply to every Ivy League university as well as several other elite schools, like MIT and Duke.

"Late at night in the small town of Bikini Bottom," the essay begins, "SpongeBob lay awake in his room, covering his pet Gary's ears from the rageful screaming coming from downstairs, a common occurrence in his home." The essay goes on to tell of the acrimonious divorce between "Mama Cookie" and "Papa Cookie" and how his parents' fighting ended up "hindering his relationship with the both of them."

Trenary goes on to detail in the essay how "Mama Cookie" eventually rejected him, forcing him to live with "Papa Cookie" and "his alcholic girlfriend" and "pulling him away from his twin sister." Referring to himself as SpongeBob, Trenary then revealed how his devastating family situation inspired him to succeed in school and his future life.

"As the house quieted down, his head ran miles, plotting a future, a successful one, far from his home," Trenary wrote. "As he drifted to sleep, he told himself I will never be nothing."

The details revealed in the essay are truly heartbreaking, and it is inspiring that Trenary was spurred on by them rather than deterred by them, as so often happens to children who grow up in adversity. But suffice to say the Ivy League did not see it that way.

RELATED:  Highschooler With 4.1 GPA Explains Why She Thinks She Was Rejected From 'Every College She Applied To'

The student was rejected by every Ivy League school, despite having a 5.1 GPA and being at the top of his class.

Months after sharing his SpongeBob essay, Trenary took to TikTok again to share his college application results. And boy was it a bloodbath.

Logging into the website Common Application, which aggregates college applications into one site, he checked through all his different applications, and one-by-one, he was rejected by every Ivy League school. Harvard, Columbia, Brown—they all passed.

"Just give me something, guys," Trenary pleaded at his computer screen in his video. Not even the non-Ivies, schools like Duke, MIT and Rice, accepted him. "Dude, I must have done something seriously wrong," Trenary lamented.

RELATED:  Woman Who Refused To Give Her Stepsister Money For College Because They Are 'Not Sisters' Asks If She Was Too Harsh

Some data show that it genuinely is harder than ever to get into college.

Despite some evidence showing the contrary in recent years, an  analysis by Education Next , an education research firm, showed that it's not just people's perception—it really is harder than ever to get into universities nowadays, especially the Ivy Leagues.

Partly, it's due to the vastly higher percentage of high school students applying to college today compared to previous eras—not only has college attendance been on a steadily rising  upswing since 1980 , but as Education Next points out, "the U.S. population has increased almost 50 percent over this time...but places like Yale aren’t admitting 50 percent more students than they were in 1980."

With this flood of applications have come even more selective colleges. Education Next found that "with just a few exceptions, [average] median SAT scores for the most selective institutions... increased by 93 points" over the last thirty years.

And with some highly selective schools like Stanford reporting historically low admissions rates... well, it's no wonder students like Trenary feel like they have to swing for the fences to get their application in front of the right decision-makers.

RELATED:  Dad Who Refuses To Pay For Daughter's English Degree Asks If He's Wrong For Funding Sons' Medical School

TikTokers were pretty sure they knew why Trenary was rejected by every Ivy League, and they definitely dragged him for it. 

"This is why," one commenter sniped in the comments of Trenary's TikTok video in which he read his SpongeBob essay. "It did not work," another quipped, while one person deadpanned, "bro what prompt was this supposed to answer?"

But experts say that Trenary might not have been totally off-base with his wacky essay. As the tutor and college admissions expert in the video below reveals, "quirky," "random," or "cool" features of an application can help get students noticed. 

Sadly, it didn't work for Trenary, but some on TikTok couldn't help but look on the bright side. "So sorry you didn't get in. But FR you have a bright future." And one person urged Trenary to put a positive spin on his rejections. "Make them all regret their decisions," they wrote. 

RELATED:  Woman Promises To Pay For Adopted Sister's College Tuition But Refuses To Pay For Her Biological Brother

John Sundholm is a news and entertainment writer who covers pop culture, social justice and human interest topics.

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When I Grow Up I Want to be Spongebob Squarepants

"When I grow up, I want to be Spongebob Squarepants." 

Those are the words I triumphantly declared in first grade when my teacher inquired what career I planned to pursue. In what I assumed was utter admiration, my teacher chuckled upon hearing my unusual wish. 

"Unfortunately, Benjamin, you can't become Spongebob. He's a fictional character."

The instant my teacher uttered the words "you can't," my tortilla-colored ears perked up. Pursuing goals I'm told I "can't do" is my perpetual pastime; Proving people wrong is my timeless hobby. Consequently, my teacher's candid feedback motivated me to pursue further my naive dream of becoming Spongebob.

In first grade, I had two simple needs: chocolate milk and Spongebob. With one hand on my choccy milk and the other on the tv remote, I watched Spongebob with starry eyes for hours on end. Spongebob's character deeply resonated with me; I idolized his constant smile, distinctive laugh, and quixotical personality. Because I loved Spongebob to the very pixel, the idea of becoming Spongebob encapsulated me profoundly.

The first proceeding I took to become Spongebob was learning his smile and laugh. Spongebob has a unique laugh that sounds like a high-pitched siren combined with a deflating balloon. His white buck-toothed unceasing smile is equally abnormal. Every morning from first to third grade, I stared in the mirror, practicing the smile while nailing down the laugh. To keep my smile constant, like Spongebob, I used my fingers to force my smile. Eventually, my Spongebob smile and laugh became instinctual.

Next, I figured that to become Spongebob I needed his personality. After copious studying, I found that three traits encompass Spongebob's personality: energy, amiability, and idealism. All my actions were under these traits for years. I laid the new Spongebob me: the "better" me in place of my own identity. 

My peers gradually noticed the distinct changes in my character as I learned to mimic Spongebob better. Classmates recognized my continual smile and "sunshiny" personality. During this time, I would buy snacks for my peers to seem "amiable" like Spongebob. My classmates, of course, loved this, but over time I forgot about my own well-being. I frequently had no lunch money for myself after spending it all on classmates, making me wish I had kept my money. Hungry, I realized that although I loved Spongebob, I loathed not being myself. I enjoyed making others happier, but sacrificing my personal fulfillment by changing my identity left me exhausted. Ultimately, after years of effort, I decided to forget my dreams of becoming Spongebob. I didn't want to be him anymore.

The sudden closure of my quest to become SpongeBob was not an instant of perceptiveness but the onset of enlightenment. I realize now that I desperately desired to become Spongebob not only because I loved him but also because everyone loved Spongebob, and I yearned for the same attention. In the pursuit of social admiration, I constructed an over-idealistic personality that I couldn't fulfill. My parents always taught me to be the best version of myself; I thought this meant I had to change myself for the sake of pleasing others. Now, as I enter adulthood, I realize that our endeavors to change who we are for public validation obstruct us more than any roadblock. 

When I grow up, I want to live wholly liberated from the chains of society. The future education I receive will never be for the approval of others but my own. The future journeys I pursue will never be for the commendation of society but the fulfillment of my passions. While I no longer seek to become Spongebob, I still have the same corny smile ingrained on my face; the same bizarre laugh that continually turns heads; the same over-idealistic personality that irritates everyone. This isn't Spongebob; this isn't who others want me to be; this is who I want to be; this is me.

This story shares my experiences in grade school where I dreamed of becoming my idol, Spongebob Squarepants. I hope that readers can resonate with my message so that as a society we can learn to always be our true selves.

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College graduate shares SpongeBob essay that got her into USC and UCLA

When it comes to applying to colleges, there are few tasks more daunting than writing admissions essays — and this TikToker may have crafted the most creative one yet.

Kalissa Persaud ( @kalissapersaud ), a TikToker with 36,400 followers and 6.7 million likes, recently took to the digital platform to share her essay that earned her acceptances at two competitive colleges.

“OK, this is the SpongeBob essay that got me into USC and UCLA.”

She begins by outlining the estimated number of times she’s watched the hit Nickelodeon series.

“If I had to estimate, I’d say I’ve watched every episode of SpongeBob SquarePants at least eight times. I’ve watched The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie more than a hundred times.”

Kalissa then explains the impact the Bikini Bottom resident has had on her life.

“I speak candidly when I say SpongeBob is my hero.”

She continues, “Hearing chuckles and seeing contorted faces when I declare this is inevitable, but nonetheless, I say it with the utmost confidence and candor every time. And why shouldn’t I? I’ve devoted 13 years of my life to this sponge.”

At just 4 years old, Kalissa reveals she would run into her apartment and “beg my grandma to let me watch SpongeBob instead of her melodramatic Bollywood movies .”

She then acknowledges that while the animated television show is absurd, it brought her great comfort growing up.

“Being myself has never been an issue for me, but believing in myself was, especially in my first year of high school,” she admits.

“I was stuck in a rut. I felt mediocre all the time. Whenever I thought of any scenario, my mind made a list of every little thing that could go wrong even if it was completely irrational.”

Luckily, thanks to the SpongeBob SquarePants episode in which the titular character serves a ridiculous amount of customers on his first day as a fry cook, Kalissa had a crucial realization.

“If SpongeBob could serve a thousand anchovies on his first day, I could definitely try and gain some lost confidence back.”

After acknowledging that SpongeBob may be responsible for her passion for acting, Kalissa concluded her unique essay with a quote from the iconic, optimistic sponge himself.

“In the words of Mr. SquarePants himself, ‘I’m ready!'”

Kalissa left a disclaimer in the comments, noting that she graduated from college “like two weeks ago” and had written this essay when she was 17.

“WAIT GUYS I GRADUATED COLLEGE LIKE TWO WEEKS AGO I WROTE THIS WHEN I WAS 17 IM 21 NOW JUST AN FYI,” she wrote in early February.

With 7.1 million views, 1.3 million likes and over 8950 comments, Kalissa’s essay has earned immense praise for its heartfelt message.

“Your writing??? Impeccable. And I love how proud you are at the end aahhhh,” gushed @yahvim .

“The transition from SpongeBob to high school was smooth asl,” commended @mikarasc .

“You’re so iconic,” wrote @vilcreates .

Dan Povenmire, an animator who worked on SpongeBob Squarepants during its run, also commented on the video.

“I so wish Steve Hillenberg was still with us. I would have sent him this and he would have been proud,” he wrote, in reference to the late SpongeBob creator.

As far as creative college admissions essays go, this is definitely one deserving of major praise.

In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News — follow us here !

The post College graduate shares SpongeBob essay that got her into USC and UCLA appeared first on In The Know .

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A US-based student's Spongebob essay got her into nine universities in the USA

Writing a college admissions essay can be difficult but it doesn't mean it can't be fun and successful.

USA-based student Kalissa Persaud wrote her college admissions essay on Spongebob and got into prestigious institutions the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC).

In fact, she got into a total of nine universities, including Howard University, which she ultimately chose because it allowed her the flexibility to go on auditions as a theater student.

Kalissa is now 21 years old and graduating from Hunter College with a major in theater and a minor in English, but she decided to look back on her college essay on TikTok with the social media prompt, "drop the essay."

According to Buzzfeed , more than 7 million people tuned in with her TikTok post generating 1.4 million likes as of writing.

In her TikTok post, Kalissa read her essay in 2:50 minutes.

"If I had to estimate, I'd say I've watched every episode of SpongeBob SquarePants at least eight times. I speak candidly when I say SpongeBob is my hero," she began.

"It's no secret that the setup of the SpongeBob SquarePants show is bizarre," she said, adding, "One could choose to criticize the ridiculousness of the show or simply indulge in the absurdity of it all. I indulged."

"There were no rules in the episodes. The opportunities were limitless. It showed me that my imagination could run wild and, more importantly, being able to access my imagination was a meaningful skill," she said.

"Seeing these zany scenarios planted a seed in my brain at a crucial development stage, which in turn made me a more creative person," she added.

"SpongeBob has been a driving force in shaping the person I am today in more ways than I thought," she continued.

"SpongeBob may be responsible for my passion for acting. After all, being an actor requires confidence and imagination — two things of mine that were greatly developed through watching SpongeBob."

"In the words of Mr. SquarePants himself, 'I'm ready!'" she said. 

Amazing or what?  — LA, GMA Integrated News

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This Girl's College Admissions Essay About "SpongeBob" Changing Her Life Is Going Viral, And It's Inspiring For All Creative Minds

Kalissa Persaud's college admissions essay not only got her into UCLA and USC — it was also viewed over 7.1 million times on TikTok, touching on both nostalgia and the impact our favorite kids shows still have on us today. "It showed me that my imagination could run wild."

BuzzFeed Staff

This is Kalissa Persaud , a 21-year-old college graduate who recently looked back at her acceptance into top performing schools like University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC). And though getting into one of these schools — which have admission rates of about 9% and 12% , respectively — is quite the feat, it's her admissions essay that has people talking.

View this photo on Instagram

Earlier this month, when Kalissa read her college admissions essay on TikTok , over 7.1 million people tuned in for what would be an unexpectedly heartfelt ride that discussed the impact shows from our childhood have on who we become as adults.

@kalissapersaud Replying to @waitingfordhoom4 one of my favorite pieces i’ve ever written☝️ it’s important to be yourself in your applications! enjoy enjoy enjoy! #😎 #fyp #fyp #usc #ucla #spongebob #collegeessay #collegeessaytips #college ♬ original sound - kalizzle🤹🏽‍♀️

"If I had to estimate, I'd say I've watched every episode of SpongeBob SquarePants at least eight times," Kalissa's college admissions essay begins. "I speak candidly when I say SpongeBob is my hero."

"Hearing chuckles and seeing contorted faces when I declare this is inevitable," she admits. "But nonetheless, I say it with the utmost candor and confidence every time. And why shouldn't I? I've devoted 13 years of my life to this sponge."

Kalissa goes on to recall her earliest memories of watching SpongeBob — when she was 4 years old and would return from school, immediately begging her grandmother to change the channel from Bollywood movies to her fave yellow sea creature. Then, to her grandmother's dismay, she'd belt out the theme song and perform — moments that, in hindsight, fueled her dreams of becoming an actor.

"It's no secret that the setup of the SpongeBob SquarePants show is bizarre," she reads in her video. "A sea sponge, a starfish, and an octopus (ironically named Squidward) are neighbors; a crab has a whale daughter; and the antagonist of the show is an evil genius zooplankton with a computer wife. One could choose to criticize the ridiculousness of the show or simply indulge in the absurdity of it all. I indulged."

"There were no rules in the episodes. The opportunities were limitless. It showed me that my imagination could run wild and, more importantly, being able to access my imagination was a meaningful skill," she said.

"Seeing these zany scenarios planted a seed in my brain at a crucial development stage, which in turn made me a more creative person."

"Being myself has never been an issue for me, but believing in myself was. Especially in my first year of high school. I was stuck in a rut. I felt mediocre all the time. Whenever I thought of any scenario, my mind made a list of every little thing that could go wrong, even if it was completely irrational."

"I thought back to the first episode of SpongeBob in which a swarm of anchovies came to feast at the Krusty Krab, where SpongeBob is seeking employment as a fry cook. He keeps calm amongst all of the anchovy chaos despite it being his first day, and efficiently serves Krabby Patties. I questioned when I became so doubtful. If SpongeBob could serve a thousand anchovies on his first day, then I could definitely try to gain some lost confidence back," she reasoned.

"SpongeBob has been a driving force in shaping the person I am today in more ways than I thought," she said. "SpongeBob may be responsible for my passion for acting. After all, being an actor requires confidence and imagination — two things of mine that were greatly developed through watching SpongeBob. 

I look forward to further developing these things throughout college and the rest of my life. In the words of Mr. SquarePants himself, 'I'm ready!'" 

In addition to receiving major points for nostalgia, nearly 9,000 people flooded Kalissa's comment section with praise for her essay's voice, originality, and emphasis on the value of kooky children's programming that doesn't always need to "make sense" to matter.

When speaking to BuzzFeed about her decision to focus on SpongeBob instead of more typical essay topics, Kalissa shared that she was applying to schools with theater programs where she could earn a bachelor's degree in acting, and the character is responsible for her passion. "SpongeBob encouraged, and continues to encourage, me to be the best version of myself: to be courageous, imaginative, curious, bold, passionate, and caring (even if to a fault)," the 21-year-old said. "Once I got the idea to write about the show, nothing else I had brainstormed really made sense."

In the end, kalissa's essay earned her entry to usc, ucla, pace university, fordham university, purchase college, binghamton university, queens college, hunter college, and baruch college, which she says felt like "a scene out of a coming-of-age movie.".

This past January, she graduated from Hunter College with a major in theater and minor in English.  

Though USC and UCLA were tempting offers, Kalissa shared, "I chose to go to college at a commuter school in NYC because it gave me the flexibility to keep auditioning professionally while still working toward my degree. College is really what you make of it, and in the last 3.5 years, I was able to exercise my audition muscle, make connections within the industry, and even book a commercial ."

As for the future? She said, "Post-grad life is uncharted territory for sure, but whatever comes next, 'I’m ready.'"

If you'd like to keep up with kalissa, you can follow her on tiktok and instagram ., share this article.

Mark Robertson

Want to know more about Mark? Get their official bio, social pages & articles on 98.7 The River! Full Bio

Her College Admissions Essay About "SpongeBob" Is Going Viral

Kalissa Persaud is a 21-year-old college graduate who recently looked back at her acceptance into top performing schools like University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC). But though she got into college, it's her admissions essay that has people talking. When Kalissa read her college admissions essay online, over 7.1 million people tuned in for what would be an unexpectedly heartfelt ride that discussed the impact shows from our childhood have on who we become as adults. See for yourself....and comment!

Photo : Getty Images

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Essay Samples on Spongebob

Interesting facts about the spongbob squarepants tv series.

You definitely can't list greatest animated series of all time without Spongbob Squarepants topping the list. It is safe to say that the whole world has probably heard of not and at least watched one episode of this hilarious yet educative animated sitcom. So far...

My Journey of Reading and Writing Since Childhood and until the Present Day

The ability to decode language on its most basic terms sounds easy but sure is not. Well, it was not that easy for me, a little girl starting a second language. My native language is “Twi”, the Ghanaian language, but here I was learning another...

• Dora The Explorer
• Second Language

Origins of the Famous Internet Creepypastas

What’s the Deal with Creepypastas? As with a lot of things on the Internet, it’s very hard to pinpoint the exact origins of the creepypasta. The word itself is a portmanteau of “creepy” and “copypasta,” an Internet slang term that refers to a block of...

Spongebob Squarepants: A Classic Cartoon Enjoyed by Adults and Children Alike

Anyone who grew up in the nineties has had a childhood filled with classic cartoon TV shows. Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Animax, and many more have paved the way for a child’s ability to experience quality entertainment while learning new ideas and concepts at...

Similarities Between Pantalone, Zanni and Mr. Krabs

Pantalone Pantalone is a very important character in Commedia. He is one one of the highest ranking characters and a lot of the other characters roles exist to serve him or his daughter. Pantalone is a very common Commedia character and is found in most...

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How Suicidal Themes in Cartoons and Games Affect Children

Through children games and television, the government is manipulation our kids. The internet is what keeps us all connected, allowing us to communicate at any time of day with anyone. We get our news, our weather, and even our groceries online. You can now unlock...

Overview Of The Animated Tv Series Spongebob Squarepants

Since it first aired on Nickelodeon on the 1st of May 1999, the animated TV series Spongebob Squarepants created by marine biologist/animator Stephen Hillenburg has not just generated a huge revenue ($13 billion, as at late 2017) for the network but has ranked as one...

• Movie Review

Best topics on Spongebob

1. Interesting Facts About the Spongbob Squarepants TV Series

2. My Journey of Reading and Writing Since Childhood and until the Present Day

3. Origins of the Famous Internet Creepypastas

4. Spongebob Squarepants: A Classic Cartoon Enjoyed by Adults and Children Alike

5. Similarities Between Pantalone, Zanni and Mr. Krabs

6. How Suicidal Themes in Cartoons and Games Affect Children

7. Overview Of The Animated Tv Series Spongebob Squarepants

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A Manufactured Metamorphosis

“Spongebob Squarepants. Season Two, Episode Twenty-Five: Wormy.”

That was the first line in the essay I used to apply to every college on my list. What followed was an uplifting tale of discovery, self-assuredness and triumph over the racism I endured at my high school, told through an adorable anecdote about overcoming a fear of butterflies (that I never actually had). The girl who wrote it was scared, lost, and confused. I’d like to use this essay as my chance to tell the truth.

I grew up in a predominantly white, conservative suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. My public high school was well-resourced and the largest in the state, with almost 3,500 students — but only 4 percent of them were Black. During my freshman year of high school, a Snapchat video of a white boy spewing racial slurs to a Black classmate went viral in my town. During my sophomore year, I overheard my teammate on the track team tell her friends that Black people were only good at the sport because they had so much practice running from the cops.

During my junior year, I began working on creating an Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for my school district. At 16 years old, I found myself bustling from panel to panel, speaking with teachers across the state about “inclusive excellence,” the “power of diversity,” and every other buzzword and catchy phrase I could think of. I wrote letters, formed teams, and taught an “anti-bias” curriculum to hundreds of people. In the beginning, I couldn’t be more proud of the work I was doing.

By senior year, after I’d discovered more radical ideas through Black visionaries like Angela Davis, my perception of the world had dramatically shifted. I realized that inclusion should be the bare minimum, but I was preaching like it’d be the final step. Diversity alone is not, and never will be, justice. But I was in too deep with this persona I’d created. One step out of line, one bold idea not palatable for white audiences, and it could all be taken away. Quite frankly, I didn’t care about being my district’s poster child anymore. But now there were younger Black girls looking up to me, a whole community — small but mighty — expecting me to represent them. Who would do it for them, if not me?

The new version of myself I’d created no longer belonged to me. The feeling was deeply unsettling, and it sparked a long period of constant compartmentalization and dissociation that I’m still working through. I was also completely exhausted, drained from reliving my racial traumas over and over to an audience. The only thing that kept me going was the hope of making my school better for some other Black girl. I told myself that the loneliness, the pain, the inner turmoil — it’d all be worth it for her.

When it came time to write my college application essays, I knew what admissions officers did and did not want to hear about. They did not want to hear about the time you sprained your knee before a big soccer game. They did want to hear about the death of a loved one — but only if it was sudden, tragic, and character-building. They did not want to hear about your babysitting job — unless you worked to support your family, who were also very poor and sad but, in the end, resilient.

I understood pretty clearly that the situation I’d be expected to write about in my application would be one that still has lasting damage today — the classic “Black at a PWI” experience, a story so common that when I initially read this essay prompt, I brushed it off. Sure, I turned my racial trauma into a cute essay about Spongebob and butterflies … but hadn’t everyone? There are so many other personal hardships that have been exploited for the sake of getting into Harvard. At the end of the day, I’m just another Black kid from the suburbs.

But when I stopped to think about it, I realized just how much the very essence of a college essay compels your barely 18-year-old self to wrap up one of your deepest struggles into a neat bow and serve it on a platter to a panel of judgemental strangers. It asks you to recall a time you overcame something, but not to focus too much on that “something.” It forces you to lie in order to tie up loose ends that are still fraying years later.

For me, it meant spinning a time that ripped me from my true self into a bold declaration of growth and self-discovery. I reduced an entire lifetime of grappling with my Black womanhood into a single sentence that also served as a chrysalis metaphor. I spoke of insecurity in the past tense, like I wasn’t still tone-policing myself in every space I inhabited — including the Google Doc where I drafted and re-drafted my essay countless times. I wanted Harvard to want me so badly, I never thought about what I wanted for myself.

After arriving on campus, I realized pretty quickly that Harvard actually needs us much more than we need it. Specifically, Harvard needs me. But not in the way I felt a sense of responsibility for the young Black girls in my community. Someone else can be the first or only one to look like me in various places on campus — I am perfectly content being the second, fifth, tenth, or preferably hundredth.

You won’t see me speaking about whatever “inclusive excellence” is ever again. In fact, Harvard needs me precisely because I refuse to do so. With the time, energy, and self-assuredness I’ve gained by protecting myself from any more exploitative emotional labor, I am able to do the real work I care about. I am able to create art and build communities, heal, and become the person I truly want to be.

But in true college-essay fashion, our journey wouldn’t be complete without a full-circle moment. So as I reminisce on my application and its unabashed declaration of my fully transformed butterfly-ness, I can confidently say I am still a caterpillar — happily munching on leaves and napping on branches as I slowly (and messily) reach one of my many new forms. And I’m not really in a rush to get there.

— Magazine writer Mariah M. Norman can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @mariahnorman03.

This is one of six essays published in FM’s 2022 “Rewriting Our Harvard Admissions Essays” series. Read the rest of the series here .

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Essays on Spongebob

Squarepants is a beloved animated television show that has captured the hearts of children and adults alike for over two decades. The show's unique blend of humor, creativity, and positive messaging has made it a cultural phenomenon, and it has spawned a wide array of merchandise, spin-off series, and even a successful feature film. Given the show's popularity and impact, it's no surprise that there is a wealth of potential essay topics to explore. In this article, we will provide a long list of Spongebob essay topics, along with advice on choosing a topic and the importance of the topic.

The Importance of the Topic

Spongebob essay topics are important because they provide an opportunity to explore and analyze the various themes, characters, and messages present in the show. By delving into these topics, students can gain a deeper understanding of the show's impact on popular culture, its influence on their own lives, and its relevance to broader societal issues. Additionally, writing about Spongebob can be a fun and engaging way to hone critical thinking, writing, and research skills.

Advice on Choosing a Topic

When choosing a Spongebob essay topic, it's important to consider your own interests and the specific aspects of the show that you find most compelling. Are you interested in exploring the show's humor and comedic style? Are you drawn to the show's colorful cast of characters and their personalities? Or perhaps you want to delve into the show's underlying themes and messages? By considering these factors, you can narrow down your options and choose a topic that you are passionate about and eager to explore in depth.

Another important consideration when choosing a Spongebob essay topic is to think about the angle or perspective you want to take. For example, you could analyze the show's impact on popular culture, examine its portrayal of friendship and teamwork, or explore its use of humor to address serious issues. By approaching the topic from a unique angle, you can create a more engaging and original essay that stands out from the rest.

Spongebob Squarepants offers a wealth of potential essay topics that can provide students with an opportunity to explore and analyze the show's themes, characters, and impact on popular culture. By choosing a topic that aligns with your interests and delving into it from a unique angle, you can create a compelling and engaging essay that showcases your critical thinking, writing, and research skills. Whether you're interested in the show's humor, characters, or underlying messages, there are countless possibilities for engaging Spongebob essay topics. So, get ready to dive into the world of Bikini Bottom and explore the many facets of Spongebob Squarepants!

Character Analysis of Spongebob Squarepants

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I LOVE the SpongeBob Essay

From time to time on this blog, we'll be reviewing existing college applications essays and writing about what works and doesn't work. We review three tiers of essays: 'bad,' 'medium,' and 'good,' and evaluate each essay within that tier.

Today we'll be reviewing the SpongeBob essay that Kalissa Persaud read over TikTok earlier this year. The essay earned her admissions to UCLA and USC. We've transcribed her video below.

Our rating: GOOD essay in the GOOD tier

I love this essay!! This essay confuses some students. It has a relatively simple style, doesn't use any literary devices, and the subject matter isn't particularly profound. It doesn't mention the author's academic pursuits, or explain their triumphs over adversity.

And it doesn't have to! Students are often confused about what admissions essays are for . They don't have to be about ANY of the things I mentioned above. The only thing an admissions essay has to do is tell the reader who you are. The reader should come away with an understanding of what you're like and what's important to you. And this essay has personality in spades. Here's how it begins (underscores are mine):

If I had to estimate, I'd say I've watched every episode of SpongeBob SquarePants at least eight times. I've watched the SpongeBob SquarePants movie more than a hundred times. I speak candidly when I say SpongeBob is my hero.

Hearing chuckles and seeing contorted faces when I declare this is inevitable. But nonetheless, I say it with the utmost candor and confidence every time. And why shouldn't I ? I've devoted 13 years of my life to this sponge.

I love this show of defiance. Forget what SpongeBob looks like on an admissions essay -- the author knows that SpongeBob isn't cool to talk about in real life. And she doesn't care. There are plenty of adults with less confidence in their quirks.

My earliest memories of watching SpongeBob are from when I was just four years old. Upon arriving home from pre-K, I would run into my apartment and beg my grandma to let me watch SpongeBob instead of her melodramatic Bollywood movies. Of course, she would always cave in.

I'd prance around my living room and screech the infectious lyrics at the top of my lungs as it poured out of my surround sound system. During these performances, my grandma would massage her temples . Every day, I would learn new vocabulary, new jokes, and new ways to annoy SpongeBob's grumpy neighbor Squidward.

I love this imagery. I can see this exact image, down to the grandmother massaging her temples. I feel like I know exactly who this person is -- loud, excited, and unafraid to show her passions. I feel like being friends with her would be a lot of fun.

It's no secret that the setup of the SpongeBob SquarePants show is bizarre. A sea sponge, a starfish, and an octopus (ironically named Squidward) are neighbors; a crab has a whale daughter; and the antagonist of the show is an evil genius zooplankton with a computer wife. One could choose to criticize the ridiculousness of the show or simply indulge in the absurdity of it all. I indulged.

Again, a great show of confidence. I love that this person so thoroughly knows who she is. Also a great descriptive summary of the show.

In one episode, SpongeBob and Squidward drive a rock to deliver pizza to a customer. In another episode, SpongeBob draws a picture of himself that comes to life. There were no rules in the episodes. The opportunities were limitless. It showed me that my imagination could run wild and, more importantly, being able to access my imagination was a meaningful skill.

Seeing these zany scenarios planted a seed in my brain at a crucial development stage, which in turn made me a more creative person.

Being myself has never been an issue for me, but believing in myself was. Especially in my first year of high school. I was stuck in a rut. I felt mediocre all the time. Whenever I thought of any scenario, my mind made a list of every little thing that could go wrong, even if it was completely irrational.

I thought back to the first episode of SpongeBob in which a swarm of anchovies came to feast at the Krusty Krab, where SpongeBob is seeking employment as a fry cook. He keeps calm amongst all of the anchovy chaos despite it being his first day, and efficiently serves Krabby Patties. I questioned when I became so doubtful. If SpongeBob could serve a thousand anchovies on his first day, then I could definitely try to gain some lost confidence back.

Here we get to the essay's thesis: SpongeBob the show demonstrated to the author what was possible, and she tried to apply that ethos to her own life. Here, we're told why SpongeBob MATTERS. The show wasn't just some fun childhood diversion. In this show, anything was possible, encouraging the author to live her life more expansively. I think this is a great takeaway from the motif of SpongeBob as a whole, and a great explanation of who the author is.

If there's one criticism I have of the essay, it's that the first two paragraphs here ("In one episode...") don't line up with the following two paragraphs. Did SpongeBob make the author more creative, or did it make her more confident? She does a decent job of explaining how the show made her more confident, but a less great job explaining how the show made her more creative. It's a muddied point to include both.

SpongeBob has been a driving force in shaping the person I am today in more ways than I thought. SpongeBob may be responsible for my passion for acting. After all, being an actor requires confidence and imagination — two things of mine that were greatly developed through watching SpongeBob.

I look forward to further developing these things throughout college and the rest of my life. In the words of Mr. SquarePants himself, 'I'm ready!'

Great ending.

Is this the best, most well-written essay ever? No. But it's a fun read, and it tells me exactly who the author is. I have no real criticisms aside from the minor point about the creative / confidence confusion.

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10 important life lessons we learned from spongebob squarepants.

SpongeBob provided plenty of comedy, but life lessons were embedded in the show as well - these are the ones that stuck.

SpongeBob SquarePants   has a plethora of iconic and hilarious moments, but embedded in these moments are valuable life lessons to be learned. SpongeBob has had many fun adventures with Patrick; if he hadn't set aside time for his best friend, the two never would've had all the fun times they did.

RELATED: 15 Funniest SpongeBob SquarePants Episodes, Ranked  

SpongeBob also taught Plankton about fun through the iconic song; through that, he pointed out to fans how important it is to find fun in anything that they do. In fact, SpongeBob's naturally cheery and positive attitude is a life lesson in itself, as it's a marvelous way to look at life. Whether through SpongeBob's adventures or his personality, there are plenty of life lessons to pick and learn from.

Avoid Procrastinating

'Procrastination', an aptly titled episode, was an entire life lesson in itself. Audiences can certainly relate to SpongeBob's struggle with procrastination when it comes to his essay. Like SpongeBob, audiences will find other things to do and leave it to the last minute to finish what they needed to all along. It probably won't turn out like SpongeBob's procrastinating experience in which he wrote his essay in no time at all (only to learn that Mrs. Puff had canceled the assignment in favor of a field trip); however, let SpongeBob's experience be a lesson to audiences everywhere. It's better to get it done than stress at the last second.

Don't Always Be A Squidward

Squidward is a funny character , but he usually has a negative take on life. Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten the opportunity to truly fulfill his dreams and instead works as a cashier at the Krusty Krab; however, he does still get to play clarinet and make art outside of work. It's important for audiences to do the things they love, even if they're not quite where they want to be in life, and to avoid having a consistently negative outlook on life. Instead, Squidward is a good example of how not to be, but we can appreciate his relatable life moments.

Keep Friends Out Of Stand-Up Routines

SpongeBob panicked when he was onstage at the Krusty Krab given the audience wasn't really loving his jokes. By happenstance, he notices Sandy and comes up with something on the spot, leading to "squirrel jokes." While popular with the crowd, it takes a toll on SpongeBob's friendship with Sandy .

Sandy decided to later teach him a lesson. It just goes to show that friends are better kept out of comedy routines, especially when jokes can turn out hurtful and make a friendship suffer.

Opportunities Are Everywhere!

SpongeBob is always embarking on one adventure or another; sometimes they end up as misadventures, but at least he has a story to tell! From being in a Krusty Krab commercial to selling chocolate bars to camping in the backyard, SpongeBob finds ways to have fun, try new things, and have memorable experiences.

RELATED:  10 Of Patrick's Funniest Quotes On Spongebob Squarepants, Ranked  

Even the misadventures contain a life lesson; for instance, SpongeBob learned that he and Patrick had to brush up on their skills as chocolate salesmen before they got the chance to live "fancy." In any case, audiences may not have the chance to teach a super villain like Man Ray how to be good, but they can definitely grasp opportunities that come their way!

SpongeBob has a great mantra for starting out the day, happily walking down the street and shouting "I'm ready!" It's the best way to start the day; even if audiences don't feel the way SpongeBob does, holding a similar attitude may make all the difference when it comes to starting and maintaining the day ahead for the better. It's a lot better than walking around grumbling and cranky; it's good to keep the mantra on the inside too, just in case audiences have cranky neighbors like Squidward hanging around.

Always Make Friends A Priority

SpongeBob is always there for his friends. He cares for them, and he finds things to do with them. With Patrick, he'll go jellyfishing, and with Sandy, he'll practice karate. SpongeBob finds different ways to connect with his friends, and keeps a wide range of them from all walks of life.

RELATED: 10 Funniest Running Gags On Spongebob Squarepants, Ranked  

He doesn't judge, and he always makes time for them. SpongeBob is primarily positive and cheery, and it's no wonder why considering he has so many people who care about him, and vice versa. Friends are part of what make life great, and they should always be a priority.

Growing Up Doesn't Mean Growing Out Of What You Love

Audiences certainly remember SpongeBob's struggle to grow up when, after his friends teased him mercilessly, he decided he was too grown-up for Grandma's cookies and kisses, only to realize that he still wanted both, and was heartbroken to see that Grandma was giving those things to Patrick instead of him. Growing up is a part of life, but that doesn't mean it has to make certain things come to an end. SpongeBob is still a kid at heart in many ways, and this is a part of his character that audiences love. It's a great life lesson from the show, in that growing up doesn't have to be done overnight, or at all in certain areas. Being a kid at heart is a lot more fun than being a grown-up all the time!

The Importance Of Imagination

While it irritated Squidward to no end that SpongeBob and Patrick were happily entertaining themselves in their new box, the best friends showed audiences how to have fun with their friends and imaginations. In an instant, Patrick and SpongeBob were experiencing an avalanche, or fighting on robot pirate island, or doing whatever it was that they wanted. It makes for a memorable moment in the show's history, but it also teaches audiences the importance of creativity, having a good time with best friends, and making the most out of a box, of course.

You Don't Have To Get It Right On The First Try

SpongeBob certainly didn't get his boating license on the first try, or even the second, third, fourth, or fifth try. In fact, he's been on the air for over 20 years, and he still doesn't have his boating license! Instead of despair, SpongeBob chooses to motivate himself to work harder, and loves going to boating school.

RELATED:  10 Times We Felt Bad For Plankton On Spongebob Squarepants  

Even though he unintentionally stresses out Mrs. Puff, at least he has a good time continually going back to class and starting from scratch when it comes to working towards his license. Working hard for something pays off, and the fact that SpongeBob hasn't quit and given up on his dream is an inspiration, and important life lesson, to audiences.

Remember To Have F.U.N.

If any lesson is to come out of the "F.U.N. Song", it's to always remember to have fun in everything. SpongeBob taught Plankton about F.U.N. in a memorable episode featuring the Chum Bucket owner. Fun is available anywhere and anytime, and for "friends who do stuff together." No matter what, fun must be included in life, and the more fun audiences find in what they do, the happier they will be!

NEXT: 10 Characters Who Deserve To Be SpongeBob's Third Neighbor

Spongebob Essay: The lesson behind it

Media, particularly children’s media, is something that is considered underrated in what it instructs us. Among the greatest and most influential episodes is the Procrastination episode. One might assume it’s simply a silly episode, but it’s more than that. Below, we will review what the episode involved and what we can learn from it for Spongebob essay. Yes, you can pick it up from Spongebob Squarepants.

The summary: Spongebob Essay

Spongebob gets a boating institution task to create an 800-word record on what you should not do at a traffic light. At first, Spongebob is super delighted to begin and even gets his materials and work area all set. But then, as he takes a seat, he doesn’t understand what to compose or review, and he sees his close friends outside, depressing that he can’t participate.

He then functions to produce the right “state of mind” for creating, basically doing everything. However, the actual project and taking many breaks between. Also, it essentially quickly becomes apparent that Spongebob is making use of every single excuse feasible to avoid this essay. Patrick, who points this out, shows this.

Read Also: Important Steps to Write Personal Essay & Synonyms

Then, Spongebob hangs around doing other stuff, including speaking with the mailman, which presses him to get into writing. Spongebob then heads back within, and the newscaster on TV even calls out Spongebob, reporting his incomplete essay. This also brings us to the point where Spongebob finds out that all of his ownerships are conspiring to prevent him from completing his work. The interference of this is a problem because it causes his residence to immolate, which tells Spongebob also not to waste time.

Of course, that’s a headache, as well as ultimately, Spongebob looks at his short essay and the clock, which states five mins to class. He understands at this point that everything he did was something that he shouldn’t do at a stoplight, so he loads that out and brings it in.

Finally, he brings it in, as well as Mrs Smoke even says that she attempted to call Spongebob for updates, but Mrs smoke also says that because of a convention, she terminated the project and replaced this with a school trip instead. Spongebob realizes what he’s done. As well as from there, he tears his essay, and after that, divides himself in half.

The Psychology Behind This Episode: Spongebob Essay

Laziness happens from the psychological reaction to something that takes place adversely. We postpone because we may have failings associated with this. In the beginning, Spongebob assumes that this is most likely to be so easy. Yet, he realizes that it’s problematic that the inspiration he had before goes away, that it isn’t easy, and he gets irritated. When he sees his friends outside having fun, he right away heads on out and does whatever but write the essay.

This is something that lots of people tend to do. They believe that something is essential, but they don’t get it right now, so they abandon it for whatever is available. Students do this, specifically if they feel upset, frustrated, and depressed when they’re creating this.

Read Also: Essay in Spanish: Learning the Phrases

After that, there is the method the mind plays tricks on you. You might be upset, and afterwards, you think that this essay is some big hulking mess that ultimately starts to obliterate you, and from there, you make a hill out of a molehill. A simple job comes to be something huge and terrifying because you didn’t service it in items, as well as you procrastinate instead.

That’s essentially the way of thinking behind the flipped-out student that winds up not kipping down their essay in the appropriate timeframe, however instead waits up until the last minute to do this.

Lesson to Learn

The obvious point that we can learn is not to procrastinate. Yet, there is a lot even more to this. It notes down here as to what you can pick up from this:

• That laziness is out there; you need to recognize it
• That normally what you’re hesitating on is similar to what you assume
• That there will certainly constantly be that little voice in your head informing you to do it, and also you ought to pay attention to it
• That the longer you place it off, the most awful off it’ll be, and you’ll make it bent on to be more significant than what it is.
• That you’ll feel the sense of accomplishment when you lastly finish it, yet you’ll likewise observe just how silly and aggravating it was to assume that it would be this hard to accomplish totally.

That procrastination is not the secret to success that it’s, in reality, the trick to deceptions and aggravation on several fronts.

Read Also: Best Speeches on Friendship in English For School Kids in 200+ Words

That’s right- it isn’t a healthy point to use. Lots of us who read this either matured viewing Spongebob or have children that enjoy the cartoon. It could seem a bit silly that an episode of a kids’ animation could be so impactful but consider it. It does inform a fantastic tale, and it tells you a beneficial life lesson as well.

Few more details

For a lot of us, Spongebob is an animation, yes. Yet, you can utilize this to better your understanding of your ability to understand this and there. You can assemble every one of these and recognize your true beauty of being able not to postpone and how it harms you.

Plus, consider it individuals that advise you, indicating those in your life that remind you to finish your research studies, achieve the objective, and so on. We all have those individuals who wonder about exactly how points are going. If you didn’t complete it, you’re entrusted to an incredibly uncomfortable and silent silence that eventually can be bothersome. If you don’t intend to experience that, you must make sure that you, fundamentally, don’t put things off.

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Woman gets accepted to multiple colleges with essay about spongebob squarepants.

You wouldn’t necessarily associate SpongeBob with college, right? We are just making sure that we are not alone in that assessment.

If you have ever applied to college before, you know that the essay writing part is arguably the most annoying. It can be so hard to come up with the right words to say. That’s what makes this story such a hilarious one.

This college graduate decided to utilize the best possible source material for their essay and it worked like a charm.

Kalissa Persaud (she goes by @kalissapersaud on TikTok) shared her story and we cannot stop laughing to save our lives. When she shared the essay that got her accepted to USC and UCLA, we lost it. “OK, this is the SpongeBob essay that got me into USC and UCLA,” she begins in her video and she is not kidding.

She starts by sharing some facts about herself with the audience. For starters, she has spent a great deal of time watching the show. “If I had to estimate, I’d say I’ve watched every episode of SpongeBob SquarePants at least eight times. I’ve watched The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie more than a hundred times.” It all makes sense to us now.

“I speak candidly when I say SpongeBob is my hero,” she read. She wasn’t done there either. “Hearing chuckles and seeing contorted faces when I declare this is inevitable, but nonetheless, I say it with the utmost confidence and candor every time. And why shouldn’t I? I’ve devoted 13 years of my life to this sponge.” At least she is honest!

When she was four years old, she says that she used to “beg my grandma to let me watch SpongeBob instead of her melodramatic Bollywood movies.” Good thing Grandma was so willing to comply, right?

She knows that the show is absurd but it was a comfort thing for her. “Being myself has never been an issue for me, but believing in myself was, especially in my first year of high school,” she went on to say. “I was stuck in a rut. I felt mediocre all the time. Whenever I thought of any scenario, my mind made a list of every little thing that could go wrong even if it was completely irrational,” she continued.

She hear her entire essay, be sure to check out the video below:

@kalissapersaud Replying to @waitingfordhoom4 one of my favorite pieces i’ve ever written☝️ it’s important to be yourself in your applications! enjoy enjoy enjoy! #😎 #fyp #fyp #usc #ucla #spongebob #collegeessay #collegeessaytips #college ♬ original sound – kalizzle🤹🏽‍♀️

She concluded the paper with words from Mr. Squarepants himself: “I’m ready.”

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Procrastination

• View history
• 1 Characters
• 3.1 Deleted scenes
• 4.2 Model sheets
• 5.1 Reception
• 6.1 General
• 6.2 Cultural references
• 8 References

Characters [ ]

• Dream SpongeBob
• Mr. Sun (debut) (cameo)
• Squidward Tentacles (cameo)
• Scallops (cameo)
• Jellyfish (cameo)
• Gary the Snail
• Patrick Star
• Sandy Cheeks (cameo)
• Incidental 27
• Incidental 8
• Incidental 41
• Incidental 12
• Incidental 10
• Incidental 28
• Incidental 37B
• Incidental 24
• Incidental 47
• Incidental 48
• Incidental 73
• Incidental 150
• Incidental 153
• Dream Incidental 154
• Fish on the Ferris wheel and the rollercoaster
• Live-action racer
• Live-action people near the race track
• Other mail carriers (mentioned)
• Dream Realistic Fish Head
• SpongeBob's dream living room chair
• SpongeBob's dream pants
• Dream clock
• Fire imp (debut)
• Dream SpongeBob's house

Synopsis [ ]

"You hear that!? 800 words!"

The episode starts at Mrs. Puff's Boating School , where SpongeBob's class receives an assignment for an 800-word essay on what not to do at a stoplight, due the following morning. SpongeBob cannot wait to get started and, upon arriving home, prepares his materials and workspace. However, he has trouble thinking of what to write, and gets distracted by seeing his friends playing outside.

Time passes as SpongeBob tries to create the right mood for writing. He does some calisthenics, feeds Gary, cleans his kitchen, and takes copious breaks in between. It eventually becomes clear that SpongeBob is only looking for excuses to avoid the essay. Even Patrick points it out when SpongeBob calls to chat with him in the middle of the night.

"Time's up, SpongeBob..."

While wasting more time deciding on the proper bread to use for making himself a sandwich, SpongeBob hears a knock at the door and rushes to greet the mailman delivering a package. When SpongeBob attempts to engage in small talk, the mailman cuts him off and suggests that SpongeBob has an essay to write. Suspicious, SpongeBob slowly heads back inside to find a newscaster on TV reporting on SpongeBob's unfinished essay. He soon discovers that many of his possessions, now suddenly alive, are conspiring against him to prevent the completion of his work. Their interference results in the immolation of his house which, also suddenly alive, begs SpongeBob as it burns to, "Stop wasting time."

Finally waking up and realizing much of his procrastination was part of a nightmare, SpongeBob looks first at his woefully incomplete essay, then at the clock, marking five minutes before class time. In desperation, he suddenly realizes that everything he did (or imagined doing) up to that point was something that should not be done at a stoplight, and so he quickly writes it all down to fulfill the 800-word requirement.

Excitedly bringing the finished essay to school, SpongeBob finds the classroom empty. Mrs. Puff arrives and explains that she tried to call SpongeBob to give him an update. Due to a teachers' convention, she must attend, Mrs. Puff has canceled the assignment and will instead take the class on a field trip the following week to see a stoplight. Left behind with his grin frozen in place (when he realized that he crammed in vain to complete his assignment). Before the episode ends, SpongeBob then rips his essay in half before he splits himself in half.

Production [ ]

Deleted scenes [ ].

Come on, SpongeBob!

I'll be one step closer to my driver's license!

• A scene where SpongeBob looks out the window and sees all his friends enjoying themselves, including Patrick rubbing Sandy's shoulders with sun lotion while saying, "Come on, SpongeBob!", but then he leaves and goes back to the table. This scene was most likely removed because it looked like Patrick was unhooking Sandy's bikini.
• A scene where SpongeBob imagines one day having his license, followed by archival footage of a drag race car crashing into a wall. This was removed most likely because Nickelodeon considered the scene to be violent, fearing that a young viewer might try to imitate the crash.
• A scene where SpongeBob practices calisthenics was removed because the up-and-down motion of SpongeBob's nose could be viewed as obscene.

All home media releases which include this episode as well as Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Nicktoons, and all international broadcasts retain the cut scenes. The scenes were left intact for the Nickelodeon broadcasts from 2001 to 2005 .

How about some calisthenics?

I can feel those juices pumpin' now!

Model sheets [ ]

Note: Tracks in red only appear in the unedited version.

  •   Hello Blues  - Sage Guyton, Jeremy Wakefield  [Title card]   ‣   Horlepiep  - Jan Rap  [Opening]   ‣   On The Beach  - Kapono Beamer  ["I'm about to write the greatest essay of all time."]   ‣   Disneyland  - Sam Fonteyn  [Carnival]   ‣   Glory Road  - Sam Fonteyn  ["But I must press onward, because with this pencil and the completion of this essay..."]   ‣   Glissando (G)  - Skaila Kanga, Richard Myhill  ["...I'll be one step closer to my driver's license!"]   ‣   Glissando (H)  - Skaila Kanga, Richard Myhill  ["Oh, yeah..."]   •   Tension SNR Roll  - Nicolas Carr  [Drum roll]   •   Tense Tymp Roll  - Nicolas Carr  [Drum roll]   •   Idea Sting  - Nicolas Carr  ["I know!"]   ‣   Steve's March  - Sam Spence  ["I can feel those juices pumping now!"]   ‣   Mambo Fantastico  - Gerhard Narholz  [Squeaking chair]   ‣   Sunny Samoa  - George de Fretes, Jan Rap  [Feeding Gary]   ‣   Four & Three  - Harold Geller  [SpongeBob cleaning his kitchen.]   ‣   Hawaiian Link (B)  - Richard Myhill  [Kitchen covered in chrome.]   ‣   Dramatic Cue (H)  - Ronald Hanmer  ["10:00?!"]   ‣   Dance of the Fumblers  - Sam Spence  [montage of SpongeBob writing]   ‣   Tympup A  - Sammy Burdson, John Charles Fiddy  ["The..."]   ‣   Raspberry C  - Sammy Burdson, John Fiddy  ["The..."]   ‣   Stepping into Danger  - Mike Sunderland  ["Let's see, only 799 words to go."]   ‣   Chief Taravana  - Kapono Beamer  [SpongeBob calls Patrick]   ‣   Stepping into Danger  - Mike Sunderland  [SpongeBob choking]   •   Hello Blues  - Sage Guyton, Jeremy Wakefield  [SpongeBob looks in the refrigerator / mail man comes to the door]   ‣   Dramatic Cue (E)  - Ronald Hanmer  ["How did he know I'm supposed to be writing an essay?"]   ‣   Strange Goings-On  - Dick Stephen Walter  [SpongeBob goes back into his house]   ‣   The Plot Thickens  - Dick Stephen Walter  [News on TV]   •   Vibe & Harp Hits  - Nicolas Carr  ["Hey, SpongeBob, over here!"]   ‣   Terror by Night  - Hubert Clifford  [SpongeBob running back to his desk/"Ah! My pants!"]   ‣   Flight in Panic 1  - Gregor F. Narholz  [SpongeBob's house on fire]   ‣   Unpreventable  - Gregor F. Narholz  ["It's almost 9:00!"]   •   Thats It !  - Nicolas Carr  ["Feeding your snail is something not to do at a stoplight!"]   ‣   Horlepiep  - Jan Rap  ["Mrs. Puff, I'm finished!"]   ‣   Keel Row  - Brian Peters  [Ending]

Release [ ]

• The original version of this episode is available on the Christmas , Complete 2nd Season , From the Beginning, Part 1 , The Ultimate SpongeBob Box Set , Holidays with SpongeBob 3-DVD Gift Set , Christmas DVD Double Pack , Ripped Pants , Complete Second Season , Holiday Cruise Collection , Collection Triple , I'm with Hazo , The Best of SpongeBob SquarePants , The SpongeBob SquarePants 8 Season DVD Collection , The Ultimate SpongeBob Box Set , The SpongeBob SquarePants Collection , SpongeBob SquarePants Vol. 3 , The First & Second Seasons , The Best 200 Episodes Ever , Nick For the Holidays! and First 100 Episodes DVDs.
• This episode is available on the Christmas VHS tape.

Reception [ ]

• "Procrastination" was ranked #100 during the Best Day Ever event from November 9–10, 2006.

General [ ]

• However, the cuts to "Just One Bite" remain in all countries except for Canada and Korea. [ citation needed ]
• When SpongeBob cleans his kitchen, it turns chrome, similar to how the future world looks in the episode " SB-129 ."

SpongeBob clip in Ted (2012 film).

• The scene from this episode where SpongeBob says, "Do I dare look at the clock?" is shown at the beginning of the 2012 Seth MacFarlane R-rated comedy film Ted , fittingly as John is procrastinating going to work.
• This is the last episode to have Doug Lawrence credited as a writer until the season 7 episode, " I ♥ Dancing ."
• The first episode where " Terror by Night " and " Keel Row " play.
• The first episode where Sandy wears her bikini and air helmet without the rest of her diving gear outside the treedome. The second was " Karate Island ."
• The first appearance of the snail clock in airing order. However, the clock's first produced and packaged appearance is " Gary Takes a Bath ."
• It is also the only episode to date to use that track in a title card.
• Screenshots from the scene where Incidental 41 mocks SpongeBob by saying "Did you hear that?! 800 words!" and SpongeBob replies, "Yeah, I know!" have become popular on the Internet.
• SpongeBob's line "Yeah, I know!" is reused from " Dying for Pie ."
• Feeding Gary
• Talking to friends
• Drinking water
• Making a sandwich [never completed, decision on bread interrupted by doorbell]
• Calling his friends [Patrick]
• "Shooting breeze" with the mailman
• Lighting candles
• Karate-chopping the TV
• Falling asleep
• This could be a foreshadowing that it's SpongeBob's dream.
• How much of the episode is in fact SpongeBob's dream is unclear. It is conceivable he might have discussed the essay assignment with Patrick offscreen (leading Patrick to remind him), and even that he nearly choked on eraser shavings, but the suggestion from the mailman (who is a stranger) that SpongeBob has an essay to write immediately precedes scenes clearly within the dream, such as the newscaster reporting on SpongeBob and various objects coming to life to conspire against him.
• SpongeBob's dream might have started before doing calisthenics, because during the scene where he struggles before such, he falls down in the same exact position when he wakes up from his nightmare near the end.
• This is the second episode where a character imagines a building setting on fire. The first was " Squid's Day Off " when Squidward imagines the Krusty Krab being set on fire due to SpongeBob falling asleep at the cash register.
• On the Official SpongeBob SquarePants account on Facebook and Twitter, it says that in 2003, SpongeBob began to write the essay, but the episode aired in 2001. [6]

• It popped up during the premiere of " And the Winner Is... ," the sixth episode of The Legend of Korra on May 12 , 2012. Specifically during a scene in which the protagonist was in a life-threatening fall, this banner showed up. [7]
• Since then, the banner has become an internet meme. The format of the meme would show the banner overlaid on a screenshot of an emotional scene of a TV series or movie, to mock poorly timed cross-promo ads during broadcasting. SpongeBob's expression combined with the drama of the scene would often make viewers joke about SpongeBob being mean.
• It was also used from the Gimme 5 & Purple & Brown & Yellow Marathon events.
• This has since been corrected as of October 2020, and the episode is back to being rated its original TV-Y7 rating on Amazon Prime Video, like most other episodes.
• On the May 17 , 2003 airing, this episode was paired up with " Graveyard Shift ." [8]
• On the Best Day Ever marathon , this episode was paired up with " Hall Monitor ." [9]
• On the November 25 , 2006 , airing, this episode was paired up with " Best Day Ever ." [10]
• The sound effect of SpongeBob's chair squeaking is actually of an old typewriter. [ citation needed ]

Cultural references [ ]

• In SpongeBob's nightmare when he runs through a hall, and on the episode's title card background, there are deformed, melted, and melting clocks. This is a reference to The Persistence of Memory , a painting by Salvador Dalí.
• In one scene, SpongeBob says "Hey, hey, hey" to Gary. This is a reference to the 1972 cartoon, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids .
• A can in SpongeBob's refrigerator reads "Horse of the sea" referencing the seafood brand Chicken of the Sea .

A washed out and less saturated title card.

• The desaturation and loss of color does not become an error with three scenes being removed, though this remains unconfirmed. This also occurred to its sister episode , since they are originally paired together.
• On Amazon Prime Video, the entire episode is slightly darker in color. The same error occurs with its sister episode, "I'm with Stupid."

Two errors in one: The "K" in Carson Kugler's name is lowercased, and Erik Wiese's surname is misspelled as "Weise."

• The 'K' in Carson Kugler 's surname is lowercase instead of capitalized.
• Erik Wiese has the "I" and the first "E" in his surname swapped, making it become misspelled as "Weise."
• For the most part, SpongeBob's source of light is an electric lamp with a coconut as a base, sitting on his desk. However, when SpongeBob is locked out of his house, the lamp is replaced with a candle.
• After SpongeBob says "And now pencil, get ready to do your stuff because here we go!," the clock shows 5 to 4. Some seconds later, the same clock shows 5 to 3.

It says spotlight instead of stoplight.

• On his essay, SpongeBob misspells "stoplight" as "spotlight."
• This was fixed when the deleted scene made a comeback.
• If one were to look closely on DVD prints of this episode, when the glissando ripple effect comes in as the race car footage goes back to SpongeBob, his color appears as a normal shade of yellow, but shortly before it goes back to normal, it goes back to the washed out yellow color on the episode's DVD print.
• Only says, "Hup-hoo," one time instead of three; his nose and eyelashes are silent during the exercise. [ citation needed ]
• Can be unheard gulping the water. [ citation needed ]
• Does not say, "Burning!" instead his Spanish voice actor appears to be saying, "¡Oy!" [ citation needed ]
• When SpongeBob's nose and eyelashes are exercising, his right arm is missing.
• When SpongeBob is moving back and forth on his chair while writing his essay, there is no pencil on the desk, but when he goes back to work on the essay, there is.

Rough Draft Korea on the screen for about a frame.

• While SpongeBob is cleaning in the kitchen, right before the scene changes to the next in a bubble transition, there is a Rough Draft Korea screen that says "4:12" which was made sometime in 2001 .

Miscolored belt.

• Two parts of his black belt turn yellow for a split second.
• There are visible green drops.

SpongeBob's missing eyelashes.

• When SpongeBob says, "Rye or pumpernickel," his eyelashes are missing.

SpongeBob's mouth is missing.

• Before SpongeBob is locked out of his house, his mouth disappears for a split second as the door slams shut.
• The pencil is on SpongeBob's desk when the candle is still lighting right before he looks at the window, but disappears a second before the fire imp jumps out of the desk.
• When SpongeBob says, "Burning," his mouth syncs incorrectly.
• The essay paper is burned by the fire imp; despite this, the paper is still on the desk when the fire imp jumps off the desk.
• As mentioned above, the entire scene of SpongeBob's house catching on fire and various objects coming to life was revealed to all just be a dream, however SpongeBob is never shown falling asleep prior to this, making it seem like an actual part of the episode, or the entire episode all being a dream until SpongeBob wakes up and finally writes his essay.
• When SpongeBob is awaken from his nightmare and looks at the paper before looking at the clock, only the word "the" is shown, and "What Not to do at a Spotlight by SpongeBob SquarePants" is missing from the top.

SpongeBob Writes an Essay 📝 "Procrastination" in 5 Minutes!

SpongeBob Procrastinating for 22 Minutes ⏰ - SpongeBob

References [ ]

• ^ Date confirmed by SpongeBob Exposed! , The First 100 Episodes , and the iTunes listing.
• ^ SBMania.net - Threads - Deleted Scenes
• ^ http://youtv.vn/lich-chieu/10-11-2016.imc
• ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjuFhlimGvA
• ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK6NAizkL74
• ^ https://twitter.com/SpongeBob/status/1200784634566590464
• ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyCHSrKZGos
• ^ https://nickstory.fandom.com/wiki/May_17,_2003
• ^ https://nickstory.fandom.com/wiki/November_9,_2006
• ^ https://nickstory.fandom.com/wiki/November_25,_2006
• 1 Season 14
• 2 SpongeBob SquarePants (character)
• 3 The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

A College Essay On Spongebob Helped One Student Gain Admission To Prestigious Schools

Kalissa Persaud’s college admissions essay has gone viral on TikTok, with over 7.1 million views. What’s interesting about her essay is her discussion of SpongeBob SquarePants as the catalyst for her passion for acting. Kalissa believes that childhood shows can shape one’s adult life, as is evident in her life. Let’s delve deeper into the impact of childhood shows on adult lives.

Childhood shows can have a lasting impact on one’s life. They not only entertain us but also teach us valuable life lessons. As we grow up, the characters and stories that we grew up with can influence our personalities and careers.

@kalissapersaud Replying to @waitingfordhoom4 one of my favorite pieces i’ve ever written☝️ it’s important to be yourself in your applications! enjoy enjoy enjoy! #😎 #fyp #fyp #usc #ucla #spongebob #collegeessay #collegeessaytips #college ♬ original sound – kalizzle🤹🏽‍♀️

One of the most significant takeaways from Kalissa’s college essay is the importance of imagination. As a child, Kalissa embraced the absurdity of SpongeBob SquarePants, recognizing that it allowed her imagination to run wild, making her more creative. Being imaginative is an essential skill that can help people succeed in many fields.

Confidence is a vital trait for success in life. Kalissa attributes her passion for acting to SpongeBob SquarePants, as the character embodies confidence, a trait that is essential for actors. Childhood shows that emphasize confidence can help children grow up with a belief in themselves.

Kalissa’s essay emphasizes the value of unconventional children’s programming, such as SpongeBob SquarePants. Not all children’s programming has to make sense, as sometimes the most absurd shows can be the most impactful in shaping our adult lives.

A college admissions essay is an opportunity for students to showcase who they are and what they believe in. Kalissa’s essay is a testament to the power of self-expression, as she wrote about a topic that she was passionate about. The essay helped her gain admission to several top-performing colleges.

Kalissa’s passion for acting was the driving force behind her college essay. Following one’s passion is crucial for success and fulfillment in life. Kalissa’s story shows that by pursuing what one loves, they can achieve great things.

Kalissa graduated from Hunter College with a major in theater and a minor in English, but her future is uncertain. Post-grad life can be challenging, as it’s a time of transition and change. Kalissa is optimistic about the future and ready for whatever comes next, knowing that post-grad life is unpredictable.

Kalissa Persaud’s story shows that childhood shows can shape one’s adult life. Childhood programming can help develop essential skills such as imagination, confidence, and creativity. College admissions essays are a tool for self-expression, and following one’s passion is essential for success and fulfillment in life. Kalissa is ready for whatever comes next and can be followed on TikTok and Instagram.

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Guest Essay

Elite College Admissions Have Turned Students Into Brands

By Sarah Bernstein

Ms. Bernstein is a playwright, a writing coach and an essayist in Brooklyn.

“I just can’t think of anything,” my student said.

After 10 years of teaching college essay writing, I was familiar with this reply. For some reason, when you’re asked to recount an important experience from your life, it is common to forget everything that has ever happened to you. It’s a long-form version of the anxiety that takes hold at a corporate retreat when you’re invited to say “one interesting thing about yourself,” and you suddenly believe that you are the most boring person in the entire world. Once during a version of this icebreaker, a man volunteered that he had only one kidney, and I remember feeling incredibly jealous of him.

I tried to jog this student’s memory. What about his love of music? Or his experience learning English? Or that time on a summer camping trip when he and his friends had nearly drowned? “I don’t know,” he said with a sigh. “That all seems kind of cliché.”

Applying to college has always been about standing out. When I teach college essay workshops and coach applicants one on one, I see my role as helping students to capture their voice and their way of processing the world, things that are, by definition, unique to each individual. Still, many of my students (and their parents) worry that as getting into college becomes increasingly competitive, this won’t be enough to set them apart.

Their anxiety is understandable. On Thursday, in a tradition known as “Ivy Day,” all eight Ivy League schools released their regular admission decisions. Top colleges often issue statements about how impressive (and competitive) their applicant pools were this cycle. The intention is to flatter accepted students and assuage rejected ones, but for those who have not yet applied to college, these statements reinforce the fear that there is an ever-expanding cohort of applicants with straight A’s and perfect SATs and harrowing camping trip stories all competing with one another for a vanishingly small number of spots.

This scarcity has led to a boom in the college consulting industry, now estimated to be a $2.9 billion business. In recent years, many of these advisers and companies have begun to promote the idea of personal branding — a way for teenagers to distinguish themselves by becoming as clear and memorable as a good tagline.

While this approach often leads to a strong application, students who brand themselves too early or too definitively risk missing out on the kind of exploration that will prepare them for adult life.

Like a corporate brand, the personal brand is meant to distill everything you stand for (honesty, integrity, high quality, low prices) into a cohesive identity that can be grasped at a glance. On its website, a college prep and advising company called Dallas Admissions explains the benefits of branding this way: “Each person is complex, yet admissions officers only have a small amount of time to spend learning about each prospective student. The smart student boils down key aspects of himself or herself into their personal ‘brand’ and sells that to the college admissions officer.”

Identifying the key aspects of yourself may seem like a lifelong project, but unfortunately, college applicants don’t have that kind of time. Online, there are dozens of lesson plans and seminars promising to walk students through the process of branding themselves in five to 10 easy steps. The majority begin with questions I would have found panic-inducing as a teenager, such as, “What is the story you want people to tell about you when you’re not in the room?”

Where I hoped others would describe me as “normal” or, in my wildest dreams, “cool,” today’s teenagers are expected to leave this exercise with labels like, Committed Athlete and Compassionate Leader or Environmentally Conscious Musician. Once students have a draft of their ideal self, they’re offered instructions for manifesting it (or at least, the appearance of it) in person and online. These range from common-sense tips (not posting illegal activity on social media) to more drastic recommendations (getting different friends).

It’s not just that these courses cut corners on self-discovery; it’s that they get the process backward. A personal brand is effective only if you can support it with action, so instead of finding their passion and values through experience, students are encouraged to select a passion as early as possible and then rack up the experience to substantiate it. Many college consultants suggest beginning to align your activities with your college ambitions by ninth grade, while the National Institute of Certified College Planners recommends students “talk with parents, guardians, and/or an academic adviser to create a clear plan for your education and career-related goals” in junior high.

The idea of a group of middle schoolers soberly mapping out their careers is both comical and depressing, but when I read student essays today, I can see that this advice is getting through. Over the past few years, I have been struck by how many high school seniors already have defined career goals as well as a C.V. of relevant extracurriculars to go with them. This widens the gap between wealthy students and those who lack the resources to secure a fancy research gig or start their own small business. (A shocking number of college applicants claim to have started a small business.) It also puts pressure on all students to define themselves at a moment when they are anxious to fit in and yet changing all the time.

In the world of branding, a word that appears again and again is “consistency.” If you are Charmin, that makes sense. People opening a roll of toilet paper do not want to be surprised. If you are a teenage human being, however, that is an unreasonable expectation. Changing one’s interests, opinions and presentation is a natural part of adolescence and an instructive one. I find that my students with scattershot résumés are often the most confident. They’re not afraid to push back against suggestions that ring false and will insist on revising their essay until it actually “feels like me.” On the other hand, many of my most accomplished students are so quick to accept feedback that I am wary of offering it, lest I become one more adult trying to shape them into an admission-worthy ideal.

I understand that for parents, prioritizing exploration can feel like a risky bet. Self-insight is hard to quantify and to communicate in a college application. When it comes to building a life, however, this kind of knowledge has more value than any accolade, and it cannot be generated through a brainstorming exercise in a six-step personal branding course online. To equip kids for the world, we need to provide them not just with opportunities for achievement, but with opportunities to fail, to learn, to wander and to change their minds.

In some ways, the college essay is a microcosm of modern adolescence. Depending on how you look at it, it’s either a forum for self-discovery or a high-stakes test you need to ace. I try to assure my students that it is the former. I tell them that it’s a chance to take stock of everything you’ve experienced and learned over the past 18 years and everything you have to offer as a result.

That can be a profound process. But to embark on it, students have to believe that colleges really want to see the person behind the brand. And they have to have the chance to know who that person is.

Sarah Bernstein is a playwright, a writing coach and an essayist.

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