<p>I've just started brainstorming some possible topics for application essays, and I'd like to get some opinions on whether or not they're worth pursuing. Please tell me what you think!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>RENT - Last year I was the 1st pianist/band leader for the band to our school's musical, RENT. I thought of 2 different directions I could take this: My first idea was to talk about how I had to choose between doing the musical and taking AP Bio and how I realized I was only taking AP Bio because it seemed like the 'right' thing to do rather than what I wanted to do. My second idea was about coming out of my shell and developing the 'edgy' persona the rock band called for [since we're on stage, we're considered actors as well.</p></li>
<li><p>Sophomore year I participated in the New England Young Writers' Conference. The essay would basically be about how the opportunity helped me develop my skills and gain inspiration for my writing, culminating in my sharing one of my pieces with all the conference attendees [about 200 people].
I was thinking this might be better for the Activities Essay...</p></li>
<li><p>I'm not sure if any of you know about the Free Hugs Campaign, but basically I just go downtown with a sign that says Free Hugs and wait for people to come hug me. The essay would be about what value I see in doing this and how I think it's a form of community service... and it would try to be more show-y than tell-y.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I'm not sure if these are any good... I just wanted to get away from the typical grandmother/international community service stories and be unique. Advice would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I did something eerily similar to 1a (different context, similar argument) and I regret it for multiple reasons. I’m beginning to think that it kept me out of a school or two. PM me if you want a more thorough explanation…</p>
<p>1b sounds like it could work. I agree with you about 2. I think 3 could work as well.</p>
<p>I kinda had the same feeling about 1a too… I was leaning more towards 1b for that one because 1a suggests I didn’t have as rigorous a curriculum as I could have. Is that basically how it hurt your admissions? [you can PM me with the answer if you’d like]</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>free hugs? i’d be afraid of someone sticking a knife in to my side as they hugged me. but #3 still caught my eye and sounded most interesting.</p>
<p>I think Number 2 would make for a great essay.
- Number 1 falls into the “had to make a difficult choice” category.
- Number 3 falls into the “I want to give back to the world” category (sorry if I’m being too blunt =]).
- Both these categories are chosen by countless applicants each year.</p>
<p>Number 3, however, provides a unique experience that the Admissions person has likely never read too much about. This provides room for an in-depth explanation of why you chose to attend the event in the first place and what this choice reveals about your personal/academic life.</p>
<p>And LOL at ChoklitRain’s comment.</p>
<p>I think you should take a shot with number three for the sole reason that it sounds interesting and unique. =)</p>
<p>i like number 3 because showing literature is always far harder to do than telling… if you can make your point, i think it would be more impressive than the other two.</p>
<h1>3 sounds like the most unique and interesting topic</h1>