"Discuss some issue" Common App essay

<p>I've been reading some essays on the web and most have been about significant experiences or people. How successful is the "Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you" essay? Because it seems that most people don't chose that topic (or it could be that I just haven't read any).
What are your thoughts? I'm thinking of writing my essay on that, but I'm not sure if the prompt can potentially produce as strong essays as some other prompts (if that makes sense).</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

<p>I think its a great and uncommon topic to choose, but its also one of the harder topics. You would have to execute the topic really well, or it could be a disadvantage to your application rather than an advantage.</p>