Tomorrow, August 1, marks the first day that high school seniors are able to fill out the Common App. Hence, I’ll soon need to write a brilliant essay that portrays myself in a unique and positive light. So, I have narrowed my possible essay topics down to four… 1) what led me to create two separate bracelet fundraisers (one in 2012 that raised $400 to send Bibles down to nations where they are forbidden and another that raised $400 to help build a church in India) and why I decided to stand up for that cause 2) overcoming JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) in my knees and hips in my younger years and how it helped to mold me into a highly motivated person with tremendous work ethic 3) how being half-Latino has shaped my life and why that is a large part of who I am as a person 4) how I view my various leadership roles (NHS president, SSH vice president, class president, tennis team captain, FCA leader, and Campus Life student leader) and how my leadership style is what makes me an effective leader.
Now my question is, which of these 4 topics would make for the overall best essay when it comes to the Common App? My goal is to earn a merit aid scholarship from either IU or Purdue. So a stellar essay would greatly help my cause.
They all sound compelling. I would personally suggest that item 1, while interesting, might come off as if it was not your unique idea, rather following up from a suggestion from a parent or church leader. Item 4 is impressive, but lots of kids have great similar backgrounds and write about leadership. Your ECs are listed elsewhere in your app - so don’t make your essay regurgitate them. Items 2 and 3 might be combined for a very unique, stand out essay.
But most importantly, go with your gut. Write and rewrite both, then combine them, or decide which you like best.
Thank you for the great advice!! @3puppies
putting the half latino essay makes it seem like you’re trying to milk your ethnicity for all its worth (not that I know if you are aiming at doing that), but i believe some admissions officers might take that way. the arthritis essay looks like the best one IMO
I think the arthritis essay would be great!
The first essay isn’t really necessary because you can already list that you’ve done both of those things through the common app. Colleges may feel it to be repetitive, and the same can be said for the fourth essay idea. The third essay idea might be overused as there are many many other students who are experiencing similar situations as you. The second essay idea seems like the best choice because it is a unique aspect into the world of juvenile arthritis and can portray to colleges that you are willing to handle any task no matter the challenge.
Just my two cents.