<p>So let's say you're applying to, I don't know, a school that has essay topics, but then you also have the option of writing on a topic of your choice.</p>
<p>Would taking the "topic of your choice" option hurt me, is it better to pick one of the school's topics (I'm not talking about a school with esoteric essays like Chicago, just standard essay topics)</p>
<p>If the topics are as open-ended as the ones on the common app, then I see no problem in you making up your own topic. For common app essays, the main goal is to tell the college about you as a person, and so long as you do this, I don't think the exact topic matters a great deal.</p>
<p>so say like, I write an essay for Stanford. Notre Dame has topics, but also "choose your own". IMO, I think using an essay I've perfected and spent all my essay time on is better than slapping together a last minute essay just so it'll be on Notre Dame's topic.</p>
<p>So you want to use your Stanford essay for the Notre Dame application?</p>
<p>"Topic of your choice" does allow you to submit an essay that you originally did for another college. In selecting your essay, what's most important is to make sure that it's well written and gives insight into your character and what you have to offer the college. As long as you don't do something like send Harvard an essay on why you want to go to Yale, it's fine to use essays that you've written for other colleges.</p>
<p>Should I tell them what my free response topic is or just include the essay?</p>