For my common app essay, I was thinking of writing about my passion for veganism and how I’ve worked to find the best way to show people how great this lifestyle is. (I’ll probably answer common app #4) I won’t be primarily talking about why veganism is so great, but mainly how I’ve found that the best way to solve the problem of how to show people my lifestyle is through __. (Want to keep this private). However, I’m afraid that veganism has too negative a connotation and may hurt my chances of getting into a school. Sorry if this is confusing but I would appreciate everyone’s insight!
It’s not one of the attributes they hope to learn about you from the essay. Nor how you will defend your “lifestyle” by showing people some sort of info. Frankly, they’d likely be more interested in how you get along with others who don’t share this interest, rather than try to convince them or defend yourself.
I have to agree with lookingforward. There is so much of an emphasis on collaborative learning right now that it would be more important to highlight how you can be accepting of other’s viewpoints and work together.
Before you show colleges how you’d solve a problem, you have to be sure they agree that it is one. Why do you need to show others “how great” your (vegan) lifestyle is? People who know you well will know you’re a vegan. People who don’t know you don’t need to know. I’m not sure what your passion for promoting veganism will add to the campus community.
I’d vote no. There is nothing wrong with mentioning that you are vegan as part of an essay. But honestly… most people find others being pushy about their food choices to be kind of offensive. And the last thing you want to do is offend an ad com.
Thank you everyone! @LookingFoward and @momofsenior1 could I maybe use veganism and explain how it has made me develop into a person who is open to other’s opinions? This is actually true in my life because I used to be so judgemental of vegans, then became judgemental of nonvegans, and then finally realized that through sympathy and understanding is key to working together? Do you guys think this take will work?
BTW, my daughter wrote an essay about religion. Talk about possibly alienating adcoms! But she spun it in a way that her personality and strengths really shone through.
You still make it sound like an essay on veganism, what you thought.
Truth is, in some circles, vegetarian or vegan themes can be an eye roller. Not because anyone objects, but because the delivery is too firm and/or defensive. And as I said, your eating habits really aren’t relevant qualities. It’s ok to say you’re vegan, much risker to make this the central theme.
Now, that said, my kiddo claimed her vegetarian style-- but it was just to place her in a context. Said and done. No stand, no value judgment, no claims.
I suppose it could work if you are heading for the “challenged beliefs” essay prompt … but, as others have said, a vegan lifestyle can be polarizing.
Everyone should have a neutral person proofread their essay. If you stick with the vegan theme, please have several people read it - including a committed carnivore!
For what it’s worth, my S18 did his primary essays on his veganism last year. Supporting animal rights is a huge part of his life, and has been for 5+ years, so it was the topic that was closest to his heart and easiest for him to write about. We will never know whether his admission successes were because of, in spite of, or unrelated to his essay, though.
He also wrote about veganism for some essays that are used for merit scholarship for schools that don’t use the Common App, like Pitt. I believe that the reviewers got to know him a little and, apparently, felt positively about him (if merit award offers are any guide) through these essays.
He also got a lot of invites to living learning programs with social justice themes, which I have to assume was a result of writing about his veganism.
Adcoms aren’t living in holes, they know vegans and it’s fine. The polarizing comes when someone has to proselytize or can’t separate their or others’ identities from their eating choices. We’re seeing that on this thread.
@pickledginger I suspect your son showed the attributes the colleges wanted. Not just wrote an adamant statement of beliefs. More than determined animal protection.
This Times article discusses essays that both asserted unpopular ideas and were successful in gaining their applicants admission to highly selective colleges:
Those highlighted by NYT are selected by them. Granted, these kids got into fine colleges. But not solely based on what NYT sees as great essays on money. 5 out of 300 self submitted is a drop in the bucket. And each of these kids also submitted a successful full app package. Not just stats, but ECs and short answers, LoRs and any interviews.
Again, it’s not the topic alone or just the quality of the writing. It’s how the writing resonates and fills the adcoms’ need for a relevant picture of you, one that suits them and what they want in their class. Risk alone is not “it.” Far from it.
I think that writing about being a vegan is fine if it’s in the context of who you are. If this is about having your beliefs reflected in your own life, it could work bUT should include more than your diet.
If your diet exposed something of the world to you that has influenced how you think, that could work.
I’d it’s simply about being vegan, I would look for another topic given the purpose of the essay. This is supposed to show who you are. I am guessing you are much more than your dietary choices!
My last post was also discussing veganism as an essay topic and I’m very grateful for everyone’s insights/opinions! I have 2 new essay topic ideas and if you have the time, please help me decide which would be better!
I struggled in my AP Calc class but didn't reach out for help bc I didn't want to appear 'weak'. I also happened to create a social media account at the time for showcasing my vegan food, and this showed me the power to community and support (my dietary choices were not supported by my family). Impacted my approach to my math class and ultimately got an A. However, I am not sure how to link the 2 events in my narrative if I were to choose this one.
This is more of what I initially planned to write. I was very judgemental of people who have differing beliefs than me. I realized that I was not practicing the compassion that veganism stands for when __ (too long to elaborate haha).
In general, watch what mistakes you admit to, like not reaching out for math help and thinking that would be weak. They want kids who do reach out, can self-advocate. I know you mean then and now, but be cautious. It’s like kids who wat to admit getting in trouble to somehow prove they think better now, but in the process, they leave doubts. In the same way, you need to temper just how judgmental you were.
Both of the above are still centered on your veganism. Is there another dimension you could use, another tale? Instead of all this being, “I’m vegan and my struggles with my family and my social media account about veganism and my commitment to my veganism led to better math or better compassion because veganism stands for…”
And a social media account to “reach out” or unload your feelings, blog style, is not the same to adcoms as reaching out, connecting, in real time, face-to-face.
Plus, you need “show, not just tell.” How do you show this compassionate turnaround? With people, I mean.
Again, this is snt just another essay, like when the English teacher says write on any topic that reflects who you are.
