<p>I've been doing plenty of research this summer, and I believe I've narrowed down my topics for the Common App essay. Here they are. Could you guys give me advice as to which you think would make for a better essay? </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Which place do you feel most content? My basement. It's where all of my own personal music space and equipment are. I plan to include something about how this space has directly correlated with my growth as a person and musician over my high school years.</p></li>
<li><p>Describe a time when you challenged an idea or belief? This was fairly recently. I don't want to write out the entire situation (so I don't have ideas stolen). This past school year in my Calculus class, there was a big situation regarding the final. Basically, some people cheated on the final, but they didn't believe they did and rather turned it around on the teacher. They got administration involved, blah blah blah...the ultimate decision was that it wasn't cheating and they did nothing wrong. This was something I felt very strongly about, so I scheduled an appointment this summer with the principal and vice principal to discuss the issue, and what we can do to prevent the situation in the future and how to improve the school as a whole. As a result, while it hasn't happened yet, I feel like this will lead to a "Student Advisory Committee" being formed, and having more student involvement in the school.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>One more thing I should note: I will be writing a personal statement as well that I will submit to schools both for the Common App (that require a supplement and request a personal statement) and schools that don't use the Common App, but request a personal statement. I was thinking about making this about music as well, but I'm still having trouble thinking of how to start it. Do you think this is overkill with the music? My activities will make it very clear of my involvement and passion for music. </p>
<p>Anyways, I know that's a lot, so if anyone is willing to read through it all, I would really appreciate it!</p>
<p>So you’re trying to choose between writing number 1 or 2, write? I think writing about number 2 would be better. More of an attention-get-er and you said a lot of other things already make obvious your love of music, so I think writing about something else and showing them more of you as a well rounded person would be better. Good luck!</p>
<p>While number 2 is more unique and something you have definitely changed at your school, I would be cautious about how you approach the topic. It sounds like something that would require more backstory (that it may take away from your central point) and it may still be controversial. Your first one, sounds like it connects to who you are as a person, and lends itself to more creative writing techniques imo, but make sure it isn’t just a rehash of your resume. Good luck</p>
<p>Depending on how you write them both topics could be very interesting. If you go with number 1 try to really make it stand out and tell something different than your ECs already say about your involvement and passion for music. Number 2 definitely sounds interesting and more unique but be careful how you write it so it doesn’t become too much about the story and not enough about you. Good luck! (:</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! For the first one, it definitely wouldn’t be relisting my ECs since it focuses more on the place and what it means to me. I realize the second one could definitely be controversial, but the point of that topic would be show how academic integrity is important to me, in addition to make a difference at my school. </p>
<p>I’m going to take a look at some of the writing supplements tomorrow when the Common App comes out (assuming the supplements are available now) and go from there. If many of the writing supplements require a personal statement, I’ll probably go with the second option and focus my personal statement more on music.</p>
<p>I’ve decided that, when I start drafting essays, I’ll write a draft for both of the topics, and get input from some other people (probably my English teacher especially) and decide from there. Thanks all!</p>