<p>You don't want to include just a line or two here and there about things like music and basketball. If you're going to discuss something you need to do it the whole time.</p>
<p>When I went to a visitation day at the university the admissions officers said you need to make your essay unique. It also needs to show you are really dedicated to something. It doesn't absolutely have to be your major you are so dedicated to, but I'd recommend it. The example they gave was a wanna-be architecture applicant who discussed a bridge-building project in physics and how thoroughly it tested his abilities and provided enjoyment/showed interest.</p>
<p>You really ought to take a look at some of the revised sample essays from this website: <a href="http://www.essayedge.com/promo/samplework.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.essayedge.com/promo/samplework.shtml</a></p>
<p>I'm not even saying you should use that service, just have a look at what a good essay looks like, because it still doesn't sound like you're getting the idea. Maybe have a look at the swimming one. Notice the central theme of dedication/hardwork/committment.</p>
<p>Maybe discuss one certain day/patient of your time in the ER when you really got a sense for how important what you were doing was/how well you handled the situation/how much you realized this was what you wanted to do.</p>
<p>I really think it's better to have two essays on somewhat similar topics (if you must), than to have one great essay about the volunteer work and one about harry potter.</p>