<p>It's kind of a conceited essay in my opinion. "I do this, I think this, I blah blah."
It seems somewhat uninteresting when I write about this. Help? Ideas?</p>
<p>My D who was accepted EA wrote a general essay about her inquisitive nature toward math and science since she was very young and how it evolved over time to what she likes and studies today. She did not just make a list of what she did. It was an amazing essay (I didn't help at all on her apps). There are plenty of other places on the app to list specific items. When all was said and done, D decided not to attend and chose another school.</p>
<p>I actually liked the prompt. In fact, my memorized speech for academic decathlon was a variation on my Caltech essay.
My essay was my life story with an emphasis on inquisitiveness: memorized facts mindlessly in middle school, glimpsed the beauty of science when I was in high school, rekindled my inborn curiosity during SSP (Summer Science Program in Ojai), and currently think of questions constantly even though I am back at school.
My essay probably wasn't too awful or conceited because Caltech accepted me (even though they deferred my early action application).</p>
<p>i have no idea what to write about!! help??? tips on potential subjects or how to get started?</p>
<p>My son mentioned his obvious math and science activities, but also discussed how math and science are involved in other things he enjoys as well. He really did not fuss about the Caltech supplement at all, but answered with the first things that popped into his head. When he had to decide on a school, he was hoping this made him a good fit -- the fact that they were willing to admit him for who he was and not some version he invented to try to gain admittance. I think his advice would be tell them who you really are in answering the question. If you want to go to Caltech, you will have interests in math and science.</p>