I have two ideas for commonapp essays and I would like some feedback if my topics could make a good essay.
My first idea would be the first prompt and talk about my interest in my sport. Not really focusing on the sport, but more on how I grew as a person because of it. How it helped me grow mentally and because of it I lost my perfectionist attitude, leading me to try new things I would not have done before(some of my other ECs).
My second idea is on the challenging a belief prompt. I wanted to talk about doing Model UN and having views that opposed most at the convention and my area in general. I know politics is a touchy subject, but I wanted to focus more on how I learned to listen to others’ opinions better and how to properly explain my points. Maybe I could talk about how this made me more outspoken even outside of Model UN instead of being scared to be in the minority. I wouldn’t talk about any specific views, it would be very general and I would try to avoid making it obvious which side I was on.
Both of these sound like cliche topics but they both have points I want to get across about myself to an adcom so I don’t think they are that bad of a starting point. Would love feedback on the ideas themselves for topics.
I’m not very intrigued by the second topic, but the first one is interesting.
When I saw “sport,” I immediately thought it waa going to be cliche; but I stand corrected. I would tackle this topic in a larger picture; talk about your “perfectionist attitude” as a child–maybe you were a keen observer of detail and waned everything to fall into place. Then, say you took on a sport, you’d be writing about how life always doesn’t go your way–losing, practicing in the rain, breaking your legs or something.
That being said, it can easily turn cliche depending on how you deliver it, especially if you only tell, instead of show, how exactly you WERE a perfectionist, then how sports changed your perspective
@anxiousteen I also had another idea but I’m not sure if it fits the prompt. I anted to talk about how my family’s background for several generations has been in small business and how it influenced my interest into business. It’s also kind of an unorthodox business. I was thinking it could fit the first prompt if I start it off with a memory of visiting my family overseas and learning about it all. However I don’t want to go into entrepreneurship so idk if it’s a good topic.
Also some colleges have a “why this major” essay so I think it might be redundant unless I can focus the why this major on why this major at that school specifically which I think is the point.
The first prompt is so open-ended that anything can really work. If you want to talk about your family’s business, yet you don’t want to go into entrepreneurship, then talk about it in a larger perspective.
For example, perhaps your family’s business inspired you to make your own legacy in whatever career you want to get into.
There is no point in pretending to be interested in business just because you think it will keep the essay relevant. Most of the time, being truthful makes for a well-written essay!
@anxiousteen I do want to go in to business. Not entrepreneurship though, something more in finance so I didn’t know if it made sense. My parents own a different business too and seeing the ins and outs of that one got me thinking of business operations or something similar. I guess that ties into my interests more. The legacy thing is a great idea though.
@anxiousteen I do want to go in to business. Not entrepreneurship though, something more in finance. The legacy thing is a great idea though.
@anxiousteen So my idea atm is to talk about my family’s business and how that got me into business in general with an anecdote from when I was younger to start. Then my parents’ business got me into finance/business operations as I got the “behind the scenes” of running a business. Then maybe mention trying to make my own legacy as something that drives me in everything I do. Would that be a good essay? I don’t think it’s cliche at all and really encompasses me and my life pretty well.
Thing is, for the schools you’ve mentioned elsewhere, you need to “show, not just tell.” Not just behind the scenes, but what it amounted to or how you took it farther than just working there. These essays are meant to do a little more than explain an interest or document it.
That’s why I like the 2nd choice- you describe thinking, growing, etc. Sometimes, it helps to look for and center on an anecdote, then work it to show the attributes for college.
@lookingforward I liked that one too but i didn’t know if it was too cliche(must be tons of Model UN essays) and if that one fit the prompt well too. Most that use the challenging belief prompt talk about something they are really passionate about but my idea was to keep the actual topic out of it and focus on how I grew from it. There could also be a larger meaning comparing Model UN to how I view everything else. It could also be a failure prompt essay too because I messed up the first time.
@marvin100 Hey I saw your comments on my other post. Is my idea for the Model UN essay more like what you mean?
It might be–but I can’t really judge it without the specific story. Habitual stories aren’t effective; choose a specific instance that illustrates the larger truth, and if that makes for a compelling, memorable story, you’re probably on the right track!
Not cliché if done well. You may need to explain just enough about your stand so they aren’t left guessing (a distraction.) But we don’t know how controversial this was, vs rational. The point would be, as you said, learning to listen, consider, formulate, and speak up.
@marvin100 @lookingforward I have started a little bit on the essay, not much just some parts of the body paragraphs, but I’m having a problem. It’s becoming a very “tell” essay and I’m not really sure how I can make that more implicit. I still like the point of the essay and I think it would show good attitudes especially for college. I was also thinking of doing this as the failure prompt(since I messed up bad the first time) rather than challenging a belief so I can focus on my growth rather than the actual topic at the convention. And if you mean habitual as in being too general, I was going to write specifically about my first convention when I first spoke.
Also, would that fsmily business stuff be good in a “why this major” essay to show how I got interested in business then transition into specifically why at that school? This would be for Georgetown.
Sorry if this counts as bumping an old thread, missed these replies earlier for some reason.
Try starting your essay with a brief anecdote. That can give a starting point and some counterpoint. Not a play by play, they don’t need that to get the picture and it just robs space. Aim for just enough to set the scene, then swing into the rest. And remember, if you’ve become more willing to speak up, show that. Try to choose an example or two where it’s for good, not just to argue a point.
We don’t know what “side” you’re on. Usually kids who worry about their side are conservative, in a liberal environment. Maybe, in your case, it’s the opposite. But remember it’s going to be the personal attributes you show that matter. This new willingness to listen to others, formulate your own position, then use it outside MUN. And probably some new confidence. Think about it.
As for Why Business,post 3 is a good start. But it can help not to seem just reactive (I saw this, they assigned me this work, I learned x and y.) Let it come to life. If G has a particular business orientation (angles) you like, yes, let them know how it matches your interests- and experiences. You probably won’t have much space to answer, so think first, then make your impression.