Common App and UVA essays too similar?

<p>Hey, I'm a senior applying to UVA, and I was wondering how big of an issue, if at all, it would be if my common app essay and one for UVA are a bit similar. I don't know if I should post the essays here, but I chose the "place you are content" essay for the common app and talked about a family vacation we've always gone on and about the traditions and family values we share there. I'm happy with that essay, and I'm not going to change it probably, but the other essay for UVA I answered "what's your favorite word and why". For that one I wrote about the word of another family tradition. I'm wondering if these are too similar, if the admissions officers don't want to read two essays that cover similar topics. I love both, but I'm just wondering if I should change the UVA one.</p>

<p>Thanks, and any thoughts would be appreciated.</p>

<p>Without seeing the essay itself, it would be impossible to tell. However, I would certainly advise against writing similar essays of that sort. They will be reading both very carefully (trust me on this one) and if both sound similar you’ll just end up boring the reader. Try something new and innovative that expresses who you are! Think out of the box: colleges really like that. </p>