Picture in essay?

There is only one situation I can think of where adding in a picture would possibly be a good idea (this is my opinion only!) -
if:
a. you are a photogrpaher
b. you won a major prize for taking a specific picture
c. you are writing about winning that prize
d. you think seeing the picture is important for the total impact.

Even then, I would think twice and maybe even mail admissions with a question about it before sending it in.

Keep in mind that even the most beautiful picture can harm your application if it looks like you did not follow their guidelines or took too much liberty.

..and I'm assuming you're doing this for a school that lets you upload PDF documents for essays as opposed to pasting them in into little text boxes?

Adcom uses essays to gauge how well an applicant can communicate his/her thoughts within the given word limit. Posting a picture may put into question your ability to use acceptable verbiage to communicate. I would say you will be taking a HUGE risk and the payoff might not be what you had hoped for.....

I agree with the above...

To be cliche - paint a picture with words.

If you absolutely HAVE to do it, put it at the END of the essay... in my opinion.

~Sam

I can't see it really negatively impacting (aka some adCom saying 'oh geez not another picture, forget about this guy') you, but I agree in terms of you should only include it if it greatly explains/clarifies something that the readers of your essay(who are very smart, capable people) would not be able to normally understand, even if you gave a verbal explanation. Situations like what Gil listed in his post. And it better be something really unique, not just something that many applicants could include.

Interestingly enough, I believe Stern lets you send in some sort of visual presentation (rather open-ended) for one of their 'questions'. That leads me again to think that adComs definitely ARE looking for some sort of creativity, so if you really think said picture is something that will make someone say 'hmmmm, interesting' I'd say go for it.

Not sure if its comparable but I found myself in a similar boat wanting to include a footnote with a hyperlink that explained a couple of the small businesses I have worked with in Peace Corps (that I was 100% sure the adCom's reading my application had not heard of). I ended up asking said school if it was ok to which I received 'if you think it strengthens your application' ) and ended up including it - and got an interview invite. Take that how you will.

As always just my $0.02.

Thank you all for your feedback!

The picture I would like to include is that of a school in rural Peru that I led a campaign to rebuild. I do think it would make a great impact to include at the end of the essay, but will contact adcoms to see if that's cool or not.

I'll post any responses I receive, in case it would help others thinking about doing the same.

Ok, I think that would actually be a great idea. Showing the finished product would be a nice little bonus. Again, my personal opinion

In that context, it makes sense. I would go ahead and do it.

you have to think will this add to your essay? what does the picture bring that you couldn't just describe in your essay?

the only thing I can think of is that it will bring you some more credibility with your story, but even that goes only so far since that pic could be taken off a website or some place you visited.

I just don't know if the cost-benefit works out. If you were applying to Chicago that would be great to put in the powerpoint, but a regular essay I think will be too risky. If it doesn't hurt you, it won't help you either so why take a chance?


Obviously the adcom will probably say to you, use your judgement.

And do you want to be remembered by the adcom as that guy who put that picture in his essay or the guy who rebuilt that school in Peru?

depends on the word limit
you lose 1000 words if you add a picture
O

I actually know someone who did it this year for a top ten school. I didn't think he should (and told him so) because when I read over his essay I had no idea WHY the picture was there so it didn't even seem that relevant. Also, the picture itself was kind of fuzzy. He wanted to leave it in though.

Hey TL,

I am not sure if a picture is a good idea. Maybe some schools allow it.. but here is something that I noticed from the Harvard application:

"Refrain from using images and/or any other nonstandard English characters in your essays. They may prevent the system from processing your application."