Best topic for essay focusing on an extracurricular activity (Princeton and Harvard)

College Essays
1

So, as you probably know both Harvard and Princeton have a supplemental essay question where you have to briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or any work experience, that you may have, in about 150 words.

I am currently torn between these two topics, and I would like to know which one you think would have the largest impact:

  1. My volunteer work with UNICEF (not overseas), where I assist them with various practical things (such as transporting things to events, loading cars, etc.). I have been doing it for some time now, and I was initially inspired to get involved with them after I visited my high school’s ‘partner school’ in Ghana, which the high school often donates to through fundraisers where the students partake.

  2. My involvement in the youth wing of a political party in my country (I’m an international student), where I have been engaged in various political discussions, events, etc.

What would you recommend?

2

2 seems much more stronger in the actual actions you did but I would make sure to downplay the political aspect of it.

3

Which do you care about most? To me, talking about WHY you do the activity, what it means to you, is important, not so much the nuts and bolts of what you did. Think about it – how many kids are politically active?? Only thousands and thousands. How many help out at a not for profit? Tens of thousands! However, I believe someone reading the essay will remember it if you talk about what the activity means to you, why you chose to do THAT activity over all the others you could have done.