<p>i'm trying to start my college essay but i seem to be hitting a million roadblocks. help would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>choosing a topic is the first thing i need to do and also happens to be the part that poses the greatest challenge. lovely...haha. anyway, i have two ideas and need some advice:
1) i lived in ireland for four years and would love to write about how it has impacted my life and my attitude, but i feel like it's such a large topic for a 500 word essay. i don't know how i could ever do it justice. any ideas?
2) not making the cut for softball, overcoming the disappointment and changing the bad situation into a good one by becoming the manager. this has also had a huge impact on my life and i know i could write about it, but i feel like it's boring and cliche in comparison to my experience in ireland.</p>
<p>Pick whichever you feel like will let the real you shine through the most, and what you can write about the best. I know that sounds like obvious advice, but think hard about both topics - try making an outline for both topics, and go from there. I hope that helps!</p>
<p>So many people I know are obsessing over topics for their essays. I’ve heard from admissions people time and time again, though, that’s it’s the voice and the structure, the choices that you make as a writer, that are far more important than the topic, or even the content.
That being said, I like the first one, but you’re right, it’s very broad. Perhaps you could hone in one one thing about living in Ireland that changed you as a person, or perhaps provide a vignette from your life in Ireland that’s unique and telling.</p>
<p>I think both topics have promise, but I actually like the second one better, and I’ll tell you why: overcoming your disappointment at not making the cut for softball, then making the best of the situation in the way you did, shows maturity and depth. The story highlights a positive character trait of yours that, if written about persuasively, with vivid detail and in your unique voice, could make for a really strong essay. To me, this topic reveals something about your values and your thought process, and that’s what colleges want to know. </p>
<p>Not that you couldn’t get a terrific essay about something to do with your Ireland experience! </p>
<p>thanks for the help everyone! I took the advice into consideration and actually wrote two essays, one on each topic (haha, i had some extra time today ;)) if anyone would want to proofread, that would be amazing. they’re just rough drafts, obviously, but the ideas are there anyway.</p>
<p>sit down for a while while answering these questions
What has been the hardest thing in my life?
What has been difficult for me to accomplish?
At what points have I felt inadequate and how did I deal with those feelings?
If I had to quickly replay my life, which two or three moments would jump out ahead of all others?
What in the world utterly fascinates me?
What do I regard as my greatest victory?
What fills me with pride?
questions like those</p>
<p>i think you should pick a completely different topic. The first topic is the typical “trip” essay and the second is the “jock” essay. Both of these topics are overdone and adcoms have seen them many many times before. Think of something more unique.</p>
<p>However, if you can really incorporate your voice into the essay, then either topic is alright. Be creative. You don’t want to get caught up in saying something like “my trip in Ireland was an interesting experience that taught me ______” or “after being cut from the softball team, I worked hard and finally made the cut. This taught me blah blah blah.”</p>
they’re just rough drafts, obviously, but the ideas are there anyway.</p>