Common App Essay Topic Choice - help!

College Essays
1

<p>So, I'm starting on my main essay for the common app, but I am kind of stuck. I know it's hard to really comment on this since none of you personally know me, but my friends insist that the diversity essay would be best - I disagree, so does anyone have any possible ideas for me to write about, given that...</p>

<p>-I'm poor, basically. My parents are both bums, and don't help me with anything, but one of my older sisters helps me out a lot, so I was thinking about writing about the influence she has had on my life (it's extremely significant, considering that she's done for me what one's parents usually do). If I were to write about how she has helped me out and done so many things for me, could that work as an essay?</p>

<p>-Personal/local/national/international concern - I'm passionate about a lot of issues, including the health care system and mental/emotional health, and have worked first hand at a help center that works with people who are either depressed or without family/friends. Do you think this could work as an essay?</p>

<p>-Diversity essay, that I personally don't think would work out for me.
I'm half black, one-fourth white, and one-fourth Indian (dot, not feather). I'm Jewish. I'm um...poor...and one side of my family lives in the ghetto, while the other is upper middle class. I like languages, but I don't speak any but English fluently, but come close with Spanish and Italian, and am learning Czech and Arabic. I don't see how that helps, and my friends are no help, and I am indecisive as heck. </p>

<p>Any ideas or anywhere to start? Please :(</p>

2

<p>Love the first one. Sounds like one with tons of opportunity for pathos</p>

3

<p>Go with the first one.</p>

4

<p>Write whichever one you think you like more. Usually when you're not having fun writing your own personal essay, it's not a good thing.</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
one-fourth Indian (dot, not feather).

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Heehee I thought this was funny. Sounds like a good line in a potential essay :)</p>

6

<p>"dot, not feather" - that's from Good Will Hunting, right? LOVE that movie.</p>

<p>Anyways, I'd stay away from the last one unless you can make it more specific. But really, any topic will work, it's what you do with it, so just go with whatever feels best / is easiest for you to write. Or maybe try a rough draft of each and see what works.</p>

7

<p>I think #3. </p>

<p>Just try writing about two paragraphs of each and decide based off those paragraphs which one you like the most. =]</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the advice...any one else?</p>

9

<p>I would take <em>one</em> memorable or challenging experience you have had with your sister and use that. Not a general explanation of how great she is, etc. Something really vivid.</p>