<p>I've read a lot of CC essays (and other essays, for that matter), and it seems that a lot of people feel pressured to write about extracurricular activities. Some seem to think that this is the only acceptable topic, and that they have to attack it with a fervor and passion that makes every other HYPSM applicant look like an unenthused, dorment bookworm. </p>
<p>You do NOT have to write your essay about extracurricular activities! And if you don't, no one is going to assume that you don't care about anything, or that you don't have any involvement in the community at all. It just means that there is a dimension of you that goes beyond your grades, testing, and yes...even beyond your activities. "out of school" encompasses a lot more than those things that can be classfied as an "extracurricular activity" on the Common Application.</p>
<p>You can write about your dog, your fascination with fishing, your stragety for winning at blackjack, your interpretation of clouds. It doesn't have to be about volunteering at the hospital, the debate team, or how you were the president of a club that "made a difference". These are all nice topics, but if you don't feel comfortable writing about them, you don't have to.</p>