<p>This sounds really foolish, but as I keep thinking about how to express myself fully to the committee, I feel one essay is not enough. I am taking a gap year: on one hand, I want to tell about my deep commitment to major in international relations, while on the other I want to describe an unforgetable occasion and lesson I had during the gap year. </p>
<p>Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>No. You have to choose one, because the Common App only calls for one personal statement. Technically, you could submit the second essay as “supplementary material” but that’s a very bad idea. You should only send supplementary material that’s very unique (like a copy of a scientific abstract or a published work or a letter of recommendation from an employer), not a second personal statement. Columbia only wants one personal statement; they will not look kindly on you if you blatantly disregard their instructions.</p>
<p>By all means, write two essays and then decide which to send. But don’t send two personal statements.</p>