college essay- common app

College Essays
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<p>I wrote several essays for my common app and they are all different.
I once heard that a narrative version is attractive and most favorable these days...but it's not true ...right?
Also not all stories have to be about sobbing and overcoming difficulties? Doenst have to be so emotional and touching...? </p>

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<p>No, in fact, those are often the more “cliché” topics that often fail.</p>

<p>As to your first question, I’m a bit confused - by “narrative version” do you mean an anecdotal type essay?</p>

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<p>@LAMuniv‌
yup…like anecdotal
Mine is kinda like a deep analysis from a continuous activity I have done over the years
and I have seen teachers say that narrative anecdotal types are the easier ones to write and the analysis-like stuff are harder </p>

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<p>Think about the point of the common application essay. It is primarily to reveal your personality and what makes you unique/interesting to the college. I don’t think analysis essays are worth a d*** in this respect, and can’t think of an example I have heard of one that has been successful in admissions. Yes, some introspection or ability to show that you see the broader perspective on things can add strength to an essay that also has anecdotal components. But an essay focused on analysis isn’t likely to get you very far in admissions.</p>

<p>Now… for classroom assignments, your teachers are not wrong. But a classroom essay has a different purpose from a college admission essay.</p>

<p>I think the ‘overcoming adversity’ essay is not easy to pull off well. Better to ask the guidance counselor to discuss in their recommendation if it makes sense, and focus your essay on areas that make you unique and an interesting addition to their campus.</p>

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<p>See my obnoxiously long comment on this thread: <a href=“Why are Anecdotes so Popular? - College Essays - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1662444-why-are-anecdotes-so-popular.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>(Also be aware that I’m only a recent high school grad so nothing I say is an “expert’s opinion” by any means. Just my take.)</p>