I’m really passionate about both computer science (specifically women in cs - I’m a girl btw) and band, and have done a lot in both areas as CS club president and 4-year marching band member + prospective drum major. I’m not sure which I should talk about in my common app essay. Ideally I’d combine both - I was thinking about using the cliche “voice” theme (or something like that) and melding both in there; however, I think it might be better to focus in on one area. I think my achievements in CS outreach and coding are much more impressive, but I really love music a lot and want to talk about it in detail somewhere (perhaps in supplemental essays? idk). Input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Which one reflects who you are better? The essay is an opportunity to show your personality or story which isn’t reflect in your grades or application. The difference of music or CS isn’t important as long as it can depict you. Even a story about going to an ice cream store can make a good essay.
Hi!
I agree with Dontskipthemoose in that whichever essay topic can show more of your personality/who you are would be ideal. They don’t want to hear about the computer science or about the actual music - they want to hear your personality.
Also, I would advise you to not try and combine them together. I received some good advice in that you shouldn’t focus on the room (a lot of topics), but instead you should focus on the leg of the chair in the room (a rather specefic point, story, or moment).
So if you write about music or computer science, it could be helpful to try and write about a specific, significant moment, and then analyze/talk about your love for it.
What would you say about either one?
How about the prompt that talks about something that you can lose yourself in-- does either apply here?
@bjkmom Yes, both would apply to that prompt.
Compsci - I would talk about my journey with the club this year, how I hosted my school’s first hackathon, revitalized meetings, helped us start winning awards for the first time, and hosted a bunch of outreaches for kids. Would focus on how it taught me the importance of teamwork, resilience, self-confidence, shifted perspective, and learning from failures to achieve success. Would focus a lot on feminism/women in cs and empowering others and myself.
Marching band - Would talk about the hard work we do in band and how greatly it pays off, talk about the supportive community/safe haven atmosphere, and how it allowed me to find my niche. Talk about how I love music. + A lot of similar themes to the potential compsci essay as well. + once I actually start doing drum major work I will talk about more lessons learned from that.
Obviously these are very preliminary ideas and they’re kind of all over the place but yeah!
I think that, based on the little I have, both essays right now read like a resume. They tell me what you did, not what you enjoy or who you are. I think you could be missing a great opportunity to let the reader get to know you.
If I could somehow ask your friends about your love of music or band, I’m not sure they would give me a litany of achievements. Instead, they would tell me about the time you stayed up all night watching band videos, or about how you went nuts when you found out that the uniform had changed. Personally, I would find a smaller story like that on which to focus.