<p>I fear it's a lot to ask, but I was wondering if I could PM anyone for some feedback on my son's proposed common app essay and short answer (on an EC). Both pieces are sports-minded, and I wonder if he might not be overdoing that angle. At least, neither is too long...</p>
<p>I'm not a good resource for reading, but "the big game" is always listed as a cliche application topic.</p>
<p>yeah, I had read that, too, about "the big game." This is about a personal fitness goal and the struggle to achieve it. too cliche?</p>
<p>Is your son a recruited athlete? If so, his application will be stronger if he demonstrates another aspect of his personality through writing about some other activity/interest etc. My S. was told by the recruiting coach to avoid writing about sports in his essay. He did write about his sport in a short answer.</p>
<p>If your son is involved in a time consuming athletics, chances are he has a lot to say about it. Let him say it. My son, who is an athlete, wrote an essay on it (about his coach), what else? But I find that
1. His peers seem to like it.
2. It fits a lot of different topics with very slight/no modifications, so he kills a lot of applications with the same essay.</p>
<p>I would be happy to take a look at the essays. I've reviewed a large number of essays, fwiw. Could give one opinion on whether his essays are too much of the same thing, or work even though both re athletics. Please include an email address if you do PM them.</p>
<p>I would be happy to read it. My son is also an athlete - three sport. Much of his app. evolved around sports, leadership in sports, how sports helped him structure academics. Colleges love athletes - they understand teamwork, structuring their lives, especially if they are boys who also do well academically. Women are definitely taking over in this area. So boys need to play this up - son at a D III school - which he desired. Good luck and let me know if I can help. Been through this three times in the last 5 years - oldest are girls though.</p>
<p>If sports is a big part of your son's life--I'd say he should go ahead and write about it. My middle dd was an elite athlete (on a US national team). It was a huge part of her life and she had some interesting insights.</p>
<p>to those who responded. Your comments were very helpful, and gave him the confidence to go ahead with his ideas.</p>