<p>In the Common App there is a "topic of your choice" option. I really like one essay that I wrote for a college and feels that it represents me better than the other essay options could. Will school view using a topic that I've used for another college negatively? Shoulld I just do a worse essay on one of the given prompts?</p>
<p>How would a college KNOW that you used it for another college? Most people reuse essays, it would take too much time to submit a different essay to each school. It makes no difference which topic you choose, including “your choice”, it’s the essay itself they’re interested in.</p>
<p>I wholeheartedly agree with entomom - just make sure you don’t have the name of another school in the essay… =)</p>
<p>As I read your post, I am assuming the essay you like so much is for a college that does not use the common app. Most of the time, students who fill in that portion use their common app #6 essay. However, it seems that you’re doing the reverse. You’re starting from another college application and then fitting it into the common application. In answer to your question, it happens all the time.</p>