For the common app failure prompt, I wrote about how when I first started tennis, I failed to practice my serve, which in turn caused me to lose a lot. And then as I improved my serve, I learned to love the times of hardship and struggle.
Does this sound like a “I met the challenge and overcame it” cliche sports essay? There was “no challenge” that I had to face, even though I hated practicing my serve initially. I learned to love it. I talked about how I felt when I served and what I learned. I can send a copy if you’d like.
Didn’t you already make a thread about this? Yes, the essay topic is cliche. Frankly, I think the topic of failure for the college essay was cliche. It was one of the weaker Common App prompts, IMO. I think you’re worrying about this too much, at this point. You’ve already sent this essay to schools, and you can’t change it now. Relax. You’ll be fine.
It sounds like colleges got to know something substantial about who you are, which is what they are after. I agree with Querty insofar as it is in, and there is no need to worry any further about it. Good luck with all your apps!
@MidwestDad3 @qwerty
Qwerty: Did you think the topic of tennis was cliche? Or the lesson learned was cliche?
Midwest: What did you think of the essay topic and the “lesson learned”?
@Radbg74 Sports essays are generally cliché. But at the same time, the essay really depends on how well it’s executed. You could write a cliché topic from a whole new perspective. Showing that you continue during times of hardship says a lot about your character and personal qualities. But yeah, it really depends on the content of the essay.
There is a book called “50 Successful Harvard Essays” and one person wrote about a similar sports-failure topic. So that really goes to show that it’s the substance of the essay that matters.
OP, I think it is entirely possible to make a good essay from the topic (even if it is a topic some people might not choose). D and I were at an admissions open house at a very selective LAC this summer where the admissions rep said the best essay he has read was about a girl walking on the beach with her grandfather. Some people might think that topic is cliché. She wrote extremely well and pulled it off. Try not to worry further about this. I’m sure yours was fine.
I also wrote about a sports failure for the same prompt and I’m regretting taking that approach now because I’ve heard many others being concerned about the topic’s general cliche-ness. In my essay I talk about soccer and how I was so used to winning easily because my teammates were among the best in the region, and about the struggles I faced when I had to play with new teammates and really earn my win. Reading these replies calms me somewhat because I talk about myself and character development and take a different perspective. I had it reviewed by some peers and teachers and none said it was cliche though.
There are no cliched topics, only cliched treatments.
My D’s essay was about being on the swim team and not knowing how to do a racing dive. She’s now a college grad from a top LAC and gainfully employed. I’d be happy to read your essay if you want.