<p>Okay, about 5 minutes ago I did a little research and noticed some articles claiming my essay topic was a big no-no and that admissions officers read TONS of my topic. My topic is dumplings (kind of).</p>
<p>I wrote my essay on my cultural experiences of being a 2nd generation Chinese immigrant and how the conflicting American and Chinese cultures affected me. I started off the essay with my mom teaching me how to make dan jiao (a chinese egg dumpling that represents fortune) and and me burning all of them and crying. Then I included vignettes about not fitting into neither Chinese nor American culture (being made fun of for bringing Chinese food for lunch, not knowing how to write in Chinese, not knowing what to mark for "nationality" on a customs sheet, a conversation about identity with my mom). I then end the essay with succeeding in making the dumplings and a metaphor for how the dumpling's fortune is really how I'm fortunate for being in 2 cultures. My essay had a lot of jokes and sarcastic undertones because that's how I talk in real life, but also reads quite like a descriptive story.</p>
<p>So basically my question is is my essay topic really going to affect my application negatively? I feel that I kind of made my essay different than the stereotypical "this is how you make dumplings", but if its really that common, should I scrap my essay and come up with a completely different topic?</p>
<p>Sorry if this sounds a bit blunt, but writing about an immigrant story is a big NO NO in regards to college essay writing. There is such a large amount of individuals applying to the story that all share immigrant stories. Now in regards to it affecting the application, the essay will basically place you with like the other people who applied. The essay is meant to distinctly single you out from everyone else, and an immigrant story will do just the opposite. The most successful seniors from my high school told me that (they go to Stanford and UC Berkeley now). I would suggest reflecting on some different aspect of you life that does not have to do with ethnicity/immigrant/or anything religion/race related. The dumpling aspect will only set you apart a little bit from all of the stories the other people who write about an immigrant aspect of their life. They will also be thinking on what they could do to still use the immigrant story but spice it up as well. </p>
<p>I highly recommend looking into a different venue besides something that has to do with ethnicity or immigrants. I hope this was able to help you! Good luck with your essay writing!!!</p>
<p>Actually I think the twist that you bring to the immigrant story is quite refreshing. The fortune story about the dumpling sounds quite unique. If worded well, I think this essay will stand out. </p>
<p>Admissions officers don’t want to admit a bunch of 2nd generation immigrants kids who disavow their identity. Instead they want kids who wholly embrace their heritage. If you want me to read the essay, send me PM.</p>
<p>I think it’s a really good idea! I think the structure you have (little anecdotes with a common thread running through them) will be good for keeping the attention of an adcom who has already read 89 essays since lunch. </p>
<p>I partially disagree with @WeLiveLife145, I think that the way in which you present a topic has a lot more to do with how it’s received than the topic itself. You can use even the most cliche topic and still write an effective essay if you write in a unique way. The trouble is, that if the topic is really common, it’s probably already been spun a lot of different ways, so it’s harder to make it unique. I do agree that the “immigrant” story is pretty common essay fodder, but I think your way of telling it is very effective, so that doesn’t matter as much. </p>