<p>I'm looking over all these essay choices from all the colleges and I have encountered a dilema. Usually one of the choices is about how I, as an applicant, am diverse. I was born in Romania and lived there for 9 years. I cant decide if it would be more beneficial do to the diversity question or to choose among the other choices. Do you guys believe that talking about my diverse backround would significantly improve my chances? </p>
<p>Most people say i'm a pretty ood writer and if I chose among the other choices in the end the essays would still be unusual and interesting.</p>
<p>Personally, I would say use the diversity issue only if it really show something about you and your character. If your early years in Romania have made you the unique person you are, then that can be a good topic, but if you don't remember it much and don't feel like it made much difference, then don't do that topic just to show you are ethnically different.</p>
<p>Adcoms see many many essays from students who moved to the US as children or teenagers. There's a great risk of lapsing into cliches. It would be better to work your Romanian heritage into an essay about something else rather than to make it the theme.</p>
<p>If you've got something better, go with it, but if not: DEFINITELY build your essay around your ethnicity. The colleges are looking for something that sets you apart, and how many other quailified applicants can there be at any given school who grew up in Romania?</p>
<p>Also, if your early years were spent speaking Romanian rather than English, that tends to make your grades and test scores, if they were achieved in English, even more impressive.</p>