I wrote my college essay about wanting to be like Barbie and got accepted into a top film school.

I wrote my college essay about wanting to be like Barbie and got accepted into a top film school.

When I sat down to write my college admissions essay, I knew I had to take a risk and stand out from the thousands of applicants vying for a spot at my dream film schools. As I scrolled through the acceptance rates of these prestigious institutions, panic started to set in. How could I, a hopeful Hollywood filmmaker, distinguish myself in such a fiercely competitive field?

Weeks went by, and I found myself avoiding the inevitable – the dreaded essay questions that held the power to shape my future. Who was I? What did I want? And most importantly, why should they choose me? In a desperate attempt to quell my anxiety, I toyed with the idea of submitting a simple statement: “I’m a 17-year-old who wants to be done with college applications.” Perhaps, I thought, the admissions counselors would appreciate my honesty and the boldness of my approach.

But then, as I wracked my brain for inspiration, a childhood icon made an unexpected appearance – Barbie. Yes, that beloved plastic doll who had accompanied me on countless adventures throughout my youth. In that moment, I realized that Barbie embodied everything I aspired to be.

Barbie was more than just a pretty face. She was a doctor, a lawyer, a dancer, a singer, a fashionista – all at the same time. And she didn’t choose between art and science; she excelled in both. My Barbie dolls were mathematicians by day and artists by night. They shattered the limits of imagination and showed me that I could embrace all my interests, even if they seemed contradictory.

In high school, I played basketball and cheered on the sidelines. I took AP calculus while simultaneously participating in theater. Just like Barbie, I embraced all my dreams and pursued them with unwavering passion. And it was through the art of filmmaking that I could bring these dreams to life and live countless lives.

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But as I contemplated sharing my love for Barbie in my essay, doubts started to creep in. It was 2021, a time when Dr. Seuss had been canceled, Mr. Potato Head was no longer a mister, and even the M&M characters faced scrutiny. Would endorsing Barbie crush my dreams? What if an admissions board member happened to despise Barbie, dismissing her as a symbol of unrealistic beauty standards? Or worse, what if they believed that only serious individuals belonged in film school?

These concerns gnawed at me, but deep down, I knew I had to take a chance. This 650-word essay was my only opportunity to showcase my personality and aspirations to the admissions boards. So, I summoned the courage and weaved Barbie into my narrative, hoping to convey the essence of who I truly was.

Fast forward to the present day, and I find myself entering my sophomore year at Chapman University, one of the world’s top film schools. Through my studies in film and television production, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to direct short films on a wide range of topics – from basketball to pancakes, dance to human trafficking, and even the Easter Bunny. Just like Barbie, I’ve discovered that I can do it all, infusing sparkle and creativity into every endeavor.

In the end, Barbie served as my muse, reminding me that life is about embracing every facet of who we are. She taught me that, just like her, I could be multifaceted and pursue all my passions. And through the medium of film, I can tell stories that break boundaries and inspire others to embrace their own dreams and aspirations.

So, the next time someone asks me who I want to be, I proudly reply, “I want to be like Barbie.” Because, in the end, Barbie represents the power of imagination, the courage to be anything we want, and the belief that by embracing all our dreams, we can truly shine.

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