<p>Ahh I think I posted in the wrong forum with my last post
Anyways, I had a general question about topics for common app essays.
Right now, I have two main common app essays (I changed it after getting rejected from my ED choice)
I've got one that is fairly decent and shows my love for science and research. I talk about various experiences that shaped my interest and why I want to pursue science.
I've also got another that's more creative, in which I talk about the meaning behind my name and how it's influenced my relationship with a family member who suffers from a disease (I'm afraid this one is cliche, but I think tying in my name adds a twist).
Both essays do convey who I am, but I've been told that it's good to really emphasize your interests and accomplishments in your common app essay. Is this true, and if so, to what extent?
I discussed research and science briefly in my supplements and it's pretty evident from my ec's that I'm pretty involved in science and internships.</p>
<p>I would choose the one about your name. Colleges have supplements and other methods to gage your interests in particular areas and so does the common app. But the main essay is a way for you to express yourself. And in my opinion that is not a cliche…I have never heard of anything like that and personally I would find that very interesting. Just make sure its well written (watch for typos) and talks more about you than your relative. The only potential mistake with an essay like that is that you talk more about the other person than yourself. Watch out for that and you should be fine :)</p>
<p>Assuming they’re equally well written, I’d have so say go with the latter. </p>
<p>If your stats already show a love for science and research, and you’ve managed to convey your experience in that field through the EC part of the app, the essay is a place for you to show them who you are as a person.</p>
<p>You also want to use this as a way to make yourself more memorable to the admissions staff. A generic essay about science and how you feel about it, is more forgettable than one about your name. Especially since your name is what you want them to remember ;)</p>
<p>If both are written well then I would go with the essay that the reader would more likely remember after reading a couple hundred other essays. If the one about your name is significantly unusual that it stands out very well then that should be the one. On the other hand if you did some really cool research and there is a good story with it then maybe this should be the one submitted. The point is that, besides being very well written, you want them to remember you at the end of the day.</p>