Common App "jock" essay

<p>I know the jock essay is commonly referred to as an essay that should be avoided at all costs, however, as a competitive swimmer, I feel like I should write about the sport that wholly consumes my life. I spend almost all my time swimming, and I feel writing an essay on something else would not capture one of my greatest passions. Do you guys have any ideas on how to write a swimming essay that may not turn into the BIG RACE essay or the typical jock essay? I know good writing and vocabulary would help to deemphasize the "jockiness" of the essay, but any other advice?</p>

<p>Is there something about swimming that is meaningful to you, some swimming experience(s) that is(are) significant to you--besides winning "the Big Races"?</p>

<p>I don't think it's as much my experiences in the sport, but my mental attitude of improving. I think I'm going to write more about overcoming my short height and becoming and All-American rather than when I actually became an All-American. hope that's ok</p>

<p>If youre anything like my friends, swimming really does take up your life! Remember, ANY essay can work as long as there is a distinct, clever, creative voice behind it.</p>

<p>Why don't you write about morning practices? Soemthing seemingly mundane, but that you can clearly articulate how swimming consumes your life, and how much you love it, without using the cliche "as I approached the mark..." Talk about how the swimming pool (describe it) sees more of you than your family, your teammates, how spending so much time with them has made you bond, (this is all hypothetical of course)but use SPECIFICS. After writing your essya, make sure that its completely tailored to you. One of your teammates shouldn't be able to erase your name, and have the essay fit them also.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>P.S. I wanted to write about my sport too, but eventually, after forcing myself to think of other topics, I actually found something mroe interesting. What do you plan to major in/become?</p>

<p>thanks for the advice angel! I definitely like the idea of individuality that you posed to me, and I hope to be able to accomplish that. I think I will write more about the development I received from swimming rather than the achievements I have made and the time it takes to get there. Adversity and determination as examples. Very few teammates have the height disadvantage I have so this should help the essay a bit.</p>

<p>What sport did you play? I plan to major in business, hopefully.</p>

<p>Whenever feel like you're at a deadlock with writing about swimming, take a break and try to write one about business. One of two things should happen: your mind is taken off swimming for awhile and a break from that topic will lead you to come back to writing with more ideas or you might find that you enjoy writing about business better. Hope your essay writing is going well!</p>