<p>In your opinion, is it an advantage to write an essay on a "topic of your choice" for the common app? I feel like this option gives you more room to be flexible and creative and would thus leave a more powerful impression... what do you guys think?</p>
<p>I don’t necessarily think so. I think you should choose whichever topic you can write the best essay about. If this is “topic of your choice,” then yes, it will leave a more powerful impression because the essay will be better. I’m pretty sure a good essay is a good essay, regardless of your official topic choice.</p>
<p>[edit] I actually should clarify this; I heard that Davidson recommends choice six. So you’re right to an extent, but on the other hand, I stand by my statement that you should do whichever topic you can write the best essay about (which is probably obvious).</p>
<p>I don’t think that really matters as long as it is the best essay to express yourself with. :]</p>
<p>On another note, do you think it’s better to have a light and humorous essay or a serious and deeper one? :l</p>
<p>It’s not an “advantage” per say, as some might argue that choosing a topic may give one more focus and direction. Sometimes writing an essay on a topic of your choosing might run the chance of being “too creative”, and not revealing enough about who you are as a person. For example, a resemblance to fiction. So essentially, just write an essay that you feel can express what you want to reveal about yourself as a person.</p>
<p>^Just an opinion on that, I think it would be best to choose a tone that best matches your personality. But in general, I think being lightly humorous, while still sounding intellectual would be ideal since it portrays you as a thoughtful, yet still good-humored person.</p>
<p>thanks to everyone! one more question though: if we are writing about someone who influenced us, is it preferable to keep that person anonymous? or does it not matter? i feel like it would be more natural for my writing if i referred to this person by name, but that might also be a privacy issue.</p>
<p>I don’t think that you’d have to keep them anonymous. If they’re not someone famous, adequately explain who they are then continue to refer to them by their name.</p>