Essay topics

College Essays
1

<p>I have been trying to decide on a topic for my common app essay for a long time. Every time I come up with an idea a few days later I start to think its a bad idea or too cliche. Right now I have three ideas I'm considering and was wondering if you could give me you opinion on which one would be best.</p>

<p>1)"Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family."
I was going to write about my name and how it is unique. As a child I absolutely hated my name because it was different but I have since matured and realized its okay to be different and have begun to appreciate my name and my uniqueness.
The only problem is I'm not quite sure it fits the part about the transition in my culture, community, or family, its more of a personal transition. </p>

<p>2)Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
When I heard this prompt I thought immediately of my dreams. In my dreams I can control what happens and do anything I want. My dreams provide me with goals to live my life by...ect. Im sure you get the idea.
Im just not sure if that could be quite as unique to me and be as well written.</p>

<p>3)I horseback ride (over 7 years, own a horse, ride 4 times a week) it is a big part of my life. I was thinking about writing about the lessons horseback riding and the connection with an animal has taught me and how that has shaped my life.</p>

<p>any ideas or suggestions?? Which one would make the best essay? I personally like the first one the best as long as you think it could fit in the prompt okay. If not I think I should write about horse riding since it is such a big part of my life.</p>

<p>Thanks for any help.</p>

2

<p>I’m feeling pretty meh about your first two suggestions. You were right that you don’t seem to be answering the prompt about a “transition to adulthood,” so unless you can rework it or use it for a different topic, talking about your name doesn’t seem to be an option. You idea of talking about your dreams is interesting, but I don’t think they would tell the admissions rep a lot about you.
Of all your suggestions, I like the one about horseback riding the most. Could you talk about the stable as a place you feel content?</p>