So I’m just brainstorming some essay ideas while looking over the common app. prompts, and when I read over the fourth prompt I thought of something.
I want to go into school for business, and I’m trying to get into a top 50 school, for background.
The prompt reads: Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma—anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
My idea is comparing the ethical dilemma that I face while going into business: the dilemma of profits and the environment. I am very passionate about being sustainable in regards to the environment, but oftentimes business and the environment don’t go together. Using this idea, I want to compare the challenge I face of balancing profits with acting responsibly. What do you think about this topic and what advice can you offer? Do you think having the problem be “acting responsibly in regards to the environment in the business world” is too broad?
Just be sure you are not writing an essay about a topic, but are writing an essay about yourself. I can’t tell exactly, but it seems like you are making the mistake that a lot of students do, which is try to impress with an essay about something that says nothing about the person submitting the application. If you can take the topic and represent yourself throughout then great. Be sure it reflects your ideals, values, morals, things you have learned or what you will apply going forward - this isn’t an essay for a HS english class.
I think if you have actually started a business (even if just something small) where you have actually considered and solved the problem of environment/business profits it would make a great essay.