Hi everyone!
I have been brainstorming some essays (under common app guidelines), and I really have no clue whether any of them are good… I feel like a lot of people write something that they are super passionate about, and although I like tennis, I feel like it wouldn’t make a great essay. I’m not passionate about any social issues, and I haven’t done anything amazing in my life.
Here are some essay ideas that I have brainstormed - since now the common app lets you write about whatever you want, I have decided to not try and answer a specefic essay prompt.
Essay #1: Facetimes with my cousin
- Wenever I am doing something outside of school, sports, and research, I am facetiming my cousin (she lives in Ohio, and I live in Illinois). We are the same age and have been best pals since birth. In this essay, I would try and take the reader through a typical facetime.
My cousin and I go through these weird phases where we will talk for hours on the randomest of topics. A couple of weeks ago, we spent an entire Sunday watching beekeeping videos on youtube and researching random facts about bees. Recently, we facetimed, went to Michaels, and learned how to knit. We also make up random personalities, create emails for these characters (recently we pretended to be a social interactions counselor who has a Phd in being a social butterfly from University of Harvard), and send out emails to our friends while we pretend to be that character.
The problem with this essay is that I feel like it doesn’t really show anything good about me. It shows how I go through phases and I feel like it doesn’t show any commitment or passion - it’s just kinda silly.
Other essay options I could do are my love for family hikes or how my grandma inspires me, but idk if those are good either.
Any feedback and advice are much appreciated!!
Take a look at the common app prompts-- which of them would your essay address?
What is it about your family hikes that you love so much? The great outdoors? Have you learned that outdoors is a place where you can escape the craziness of real life-- have you learned that you need a certain amount of quiet time to be more centered? Or is it that you’ve learned the importance of family in your life?
If you’re going to talk about how grandma inspires you, be careful: grandma isn’t applying. The essay should reflect how you’ve grown-- how you’ve chosen to grow-- and not how great a role model grandma is. I’m not discouraging you, just hoping to direct you a bit.
Does that help at all?
Hi bjkmom,
Thanks for the response.
I mentioned that the common app now has a prompt “write about anything you want.”
So I wouldn’t really have to answer anything… but I guess it could be safer to choose an actual, structured prompt?
And I was moreso hoping for feedback on my essay idea about facetiming my cousin. I think it would show my personality of always loving to try new, random, crazy things. I just don’t know if it is serious enough or not.
Some people say that the essay can be lighthearted and just showcase your personality, while your advice is leaning towards me writing about something very reflective and serious.
I was just wondering if it is better to write about something serious and very important, or if it is better to write about my everyday experiences in life.
Thanks!
I think lighthearted is OK, but I think I would still hesitate on the facetime thing.
Many, many adults think that kids your age are way too obsessed with their phones. That you’re losing the value of face to face communication. I’m not sure I would write an essay this important that would seem to reinforce that idea-- or at the least, I would keep an open mind once it’s been written.
Ok, I understand where your coming from!
I think that all I really want to show in that essay is how I love to just learn how to do new things and learn about somewhat random topics. I could probably just delete the facetime concept out of the essay, and focus it on myself instead. I am confident that I can display that message through anecdotes, but I am not quite sure how I would analyze those moments I spend learning new things and facts (useless facts, some would say) to make them seem more significant.
If that doesn’t end up working out, I could probably write an essay about one of my entire family hikes - aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, etc - because I love to talk and connect with everyone.
Maybe if I just start writing something will come together!
Exactly!!!
I don’t think that FaceTime is evil, or that it can’t be part of your essay. But you got it exactly right when you said “I could probably focus it on myself instead.” THAT’S the point to this essay-- to show the schools who you are, and why they want you on their campus.
Write the essay. Then write one about the family hikes. (That one appeals to me personally, since it seems so unique.) See which one does the best job of “giving them a reason to say yes.”