<p>Upcoming senior here, starting to brainstorm essay topics for college applications.
I recently went on an Outward Bound course in Colorado and it definitely had a major effect on me. I have heard that writing about Outward Bound or other types of experiences can scream "rich kid with a privileged background", but in my case the entire program was funded my the state, so everyone there was on scholarship. So that aside, I was thinking about writing my college essay about my outward bound experience. Either about how it taught me leadership, self confidence/reliance, or teamwork. Possibly a combination. Still deciding, however. Just saying that, it sounds like the essay could be cliche, but I've also heard that there are no cliche topics, just cliche ways to approach them.
Thoughts? Should I stick with this topic? Improve on it? Find a new one?</p>
<p>It’s ok. Find a quick way to include that it was state-funded. Remember to “show, not tell.” Ie, not just that climbing that mountain gave you some new attitude or heading that team trained you as a leader. Instead, let us see how you faced the challenge(s) and evolved- and what the after-effects are. Good luck.</p>
<p>Essays are cliched not because of topic, but because of the substance. If you feel strongly about it, write about it. If it’s just something to say, reconsider. There’s not much else to it. Anyone can feed a starving african child or go to nationals in a sport, not to degrade the actual value of such an experience, what matters is what they have to say about it.</p>