Any of these ideas good for Common App?

College Essays
1

So, I have been thinking about the essays for about a month now (I know, I should just start writing to get rid of the writer’s block…), and I think I will do either the first or second prompt.

  1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

For this one, I was thinking about talking about my journey through karate. I am a 2nd degree black belt (will talk about how it instilled certain characteristics in me)

Or, I will talk about playing the violin for like 6 years

  1. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

I thought about focusing in on a specific part of my journey to black belt. I was a red belt preparing for my black belt, but I did not qualify the first time, so I was thinking about how it inspired me to continue and work harder to achieve the goal of becoming a black belt.

Please give me your input

2

I think that either of the first two would be better; it’s too commonly done to write about failing at something the first time and then trying again / working harder to succeed the second time. If you do choose to do the “journey through karate,” try to take a unique spin on it; too many students write sports essays about work ethic, teamwork, and diligence, but I imagine that there’s so many more traits that you could develop doing karate.

3

I think you should write about your journey through karate (prompt #1). However, I would try to avoid writing it in a cliche way, because there are so many people who write about the impact of sports on their lives. While writing about your interest in playing the violin also seems interesting, it looks like you would have an easier time writing about karate. I wouldn’t write about the second prompt, because that is done so often, and it most likely won’t help you stand out. If you write about your journey through karate in a way unlike the “typical” sports essay, I think it could really be interesting!