So my common app essay is on how I didn’t know my name (how to pronounce it) until around mid-elementary, which led to an identity crisis with me being Asian-American (am I asian or am I american). I learned to embrace both sides and explored diversity in all aspects of my life. And yea thats basically a blurb of what I am writing about. Is that a good topic?
It could be a cute lead-in to a nice essay. Go for it and see if you are happy with it. Make sure you demonstrate the qualities that your target colleges are looking for.
I am reminded of when in my very early years I suffered through a teacher who insisted for months (months!) that I was spelling my name incorrectly. Finally my parents intervened and the teacher apologized to me. By then the relationship was toast, of course.
Sounds like a good idea. Make sure to start with a good and descriptive story and not just “tell” that you didn’t know your name, show a specific example
Not a “specific example” of not knowing your name. Rather, examples of how this changed you for the better, in ways that matter to the college. “Show, not just tell” refers to action examples, traits the colleges look for. Emphasis on high school, not lower school or middle school. You’re a high school kid now.
So many kids write about 3rd grade, it can make adcoms’ eye glaze over. The person you are today is what matters.
Thank you guys! An yes, I started with an anecdote of an experience I had and then am planning to show examples of how I embraced both my asian side and american side. Then to tie it in back to college, I wrote about exploring greater diversity and how I am excited to meet different at college and work with them. Would this work?
I am also wondering if this essay may be seen as common or boring?