<p>So I am on the final stretch of finishing my common app essay for Dartmouth ED. I have written two completely different versions of it. One basically details my experience of coming up with a winning science fair project and how that has affected me. The other is a bit different and talks about how racial diversity has affected me because I am half Indian and half white. My science essay is much better written, but I feel that it might be slightly redundant, whereas my diversity essay might show a unique side to me that isn't clear based on the rest of my application. I have received contradictory advice on the issue. Some people say it is better to make your application cohesive so you should write about an essay that provides insight and a better context to the rest of your application. The other side of the argument is that the essay is a place to distinguish yourself from the rest of your app. Both arguments seem equally compelling. Hopefully the responses are one-sided, but by all means argue :).</p>
<p>Pick the one that shows your best writing, and your personality. I personally like the science one because it might be less cliche-but don’t listen to me-you decide. I would think either would be fine. Whatever you do, be reflective, not just recounting your resume.</p>
<p>Send in the better written one. If the other one isn’t as good, don’t send it.</p>
<p>Choose the one that reflects YOU the best and is better written.</p>
<p>The science one would definitely be the one that is better written, and science is what I want to do in life so I guess I have to send the science one. The essay shows more how I think about science, but the other essay might show my human side. I mean, if you look at my resume, it is all very science based, and given the fact Dartmouth has no supplemental essay, I feel I don’t have the opportunity to talk about things such as morality, ethics, etc. I think I will use the science essay given the fact it superiorly written but I will be doing it with extreme apprehension. Thanks for the responses everyone.</p>
<p>I bet it is very good-smart to show yourself as passionate about science-just reading your paragraph above shows you to be a thoughtful person. Good luck</p>