<p>Does anyone mind sharing their essay? I need some inspiration. Thanks </p>
<p>It would do no good. Your essay MUST be personal and convey what makes YOU special. </p>
gibby
April 17, 2014, 7:37pm
3
<p>Here’s a thread and a quote from last July that may interest you: <a href=“Pitfalls or Traps in the new Common Application essay - College Essays - College Confidential Forums ”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1526461-pitfalls-or-traps-in-the-new-common-application-essay.html</a></p> ;
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I once heard Peter Johnson, a Senior Admissions Director at Columbia University, give this tip on essays: “Your essay should be so personal and specific that if it fell out of your backpack at school and it didn’t have your name on it, and a classmate who you knew you well found it in the hallways of your school, that classmate should be able to read it, immediately know that it was your essay, and return it to you.”</p>
<p>Without the “topic of your choice” option this year, many students will end up writing about the same thing – and that’s NOT going to help make you or your essay stand out. The way to avoid that is to follow Peter Johnson’s advice!</p>
<p>When approaching a topic, think about what other students might write about . . . and then come up with something completely unique and different that is specific only to you. For example, this year many students will probably write about their favorite place being their bedroom. First, think about what other students might write about – sports or music posters decorating their walls, the blue, pink or black colors of their walls, the coziness of their bed etc. If you can’t think of something specific that pertains only to you – that not many other students will write about – your essay is not going to stand out in the crowd, so move on to another idea. I once knew two teenagers who shared the same room. One of them lived in a tent inside the room because they wanted privacy. Now THAT student could write a unique and interesting essay about their bedroom that’s going to make them stand out in the applications process. Most everyone has some quirky story that they are embarrassed to tell someone about themselves because it’s too personal – and that’s what students need to write about – something so specific that only you could write it. Good luck!
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<p>I said this before somewhere else, but it’s worth mentioning again. So long as your essay <em>vaguely</em> fits the common app prompt, it’s fine. My rep said that, so far as the common app goes, they will read anything you give them. This isn’t english class, they just want to figure you out.</p>