<p>As someone who loves books and movies, I have been thinking about writing about a particular one that has had an impact on me for my common application essay. I thought about writing about The Catcher in the Rye, but then figured that was cliche. I was wondering what books/movies/characters people figured would be cliche for college admissions. Just thought it could be interesting :)</p>
<p>On the other hand, there's a difference between cliche and classic. For prompts like this, I'd say it doesn't matter what topic you pick so much as what you have to say. If Catcher affected you in particular and you have well-formed ideas about the book, then I don't think adcoms will spite you for picking it. =)</p>
<p>"Cliche" is saying what everyone else says, what is commonly thought, what is well-known. Cliche will not help with college admissions, because it does not distinguish you from other applicants.</p>
<p>If you have something personal to say about The Catcher in the Rye, something that is not generally understood, something that reveals aspects of your uniqueness, then you need not worry that others may also have written on that book. </p>
<p>However, you would do well to be careful that your essay is about you, and not so much about the book. For college admissions, you should not imo be writing a critique or appreciation or analysis of the book; you should imo be thinking of the book as a vehicle to reveal yourself.</p>
<p>Also: if your essay bottom-line amounts to saying "I am like/different from Holden Caulfield because..." then I would advise you to find a topic that allows you to reveal yourself as yourself, not in comparison to someone else.</p>
<p>definitely not summarizing or anything like that
the way i would use books/movies is how it has changed me
for example, The Catcher in the Rye came at a certain time in my life and it changed me in such and such a way.
same with some movies.
i was just wondering what some people would figure to be cliche just as sort of a fun topic</p>
<p>That sounds reasonable to me.</p>
<p>If it is personal, detailed, honest, and revealing, then it won't be cliche.</p>