Hi all,
So after a whole year of brainstorming, I still haven’t chosen a topic for my common app essay. The problem is that some people tell me it should be one where I can demonstrate my skills, such as problem solving or teamwork, which will push the university to accept me. Others say it shouldn’t have anything to do with how good I am but rather a part of my story or a shifting point in my life. I am very confused and that’s the reason I still haven’t started my first draft. So should I opt for the “I am a very skilled and good and talented student for you” or the “I will tell you about the day I stopped being shy” kind of topic? Or maybe “My passion is…”?
Another thing, my activities and future major are 100% computer science, so should I include coding or whatever in my essay as many people ? (To have a well-rounded application, they said.)
Your help is really really needed, thank you.
Just start writing. Sit yourself down at a computer, think of anything significant in your life, and describe who you are. It doesn’t have to fit a prompt. It doesn’t have to relate to your major. It doesn’t have to tell the AO what your passion is. They just want to get to know you as a person. Just write.
The Common Application prompts are so open-ended that you can write about practically anything. That being said, the essay is supposed to showcase something that the rest of the application doesn’t.
Think of one instance in your life that you believe has made an impact on you? It could be as little or as big as you want it to be. Don’t write what others expect of you; just write something that you are passionate about. If that passion is computer science, then so be it. You do you!
Write about anything that fits the prompt guidelines. You don’t even need to be worried about the prompt (they are really general). Just start to write what ever. I recommend you buy “On Writing the College Application Essay” by Harry Bauld. It really opened my mind on it.