<p>Hey, I’m having trouble with my common app essay, and was hoping some accepted EAers could answer. I know there isn’t a clear answer, but is it generally better to write a more personal essay, say something along the lines of writing about my family, or focusing more on what I have accomplished already (thus expanding on your ECs, leadership, etc.)
Sorry in advance if this question has been answered…but any comments would be appreciated. </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Write something that strives to mimic something one would find on the AP English test, or the SAT. Yes, I know that's very vague but that's what good writing is, and that's what they want to see. </p>
<p>Whatever you do, don't list EC's (they already know them....)</p>
<p>hey thanks for replying. what do you mean by mimicking the AP tests? language wise or content? sorry im just a little confused...</p>
<p>Both. </p>
<p>The best thing you could possibly do is come across as somebody like Annie Dillard, Mary Oliver, or Richard Rodriguez. </p>
<p>Just check out the free-response questions for AP English Language at <a href="http://www.collegboard.com%5B/url%5D">www.collegboard.com</a>. THAT's fine writing, THAT'S what adcom is looking for. (It's a nice, refreshing break from all the "First I did done this, and then I did that, and so I've learned this" essays most people write....)</p>
<p>Actually, I don't know if that's necesssarily what you should write about. Trying to mimic Annie Dillard is not going to be too successful unless you're one of the best young writers in the country; anyone else will come off as pretentious. Adcoms don't want to hear some trite meditation on frogs; they want to know what specifically characterizes you as a person. You could write about some unique, life-defining experience, whatever. Just write about what's close to your heart, and if you're sincere, the adcom will know it.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what MzLover3 is talking about here, but I'd advise that you definitely spend MORE time writing your college essay than you would on an AP or an SATII writing prompt. </p>
<p>Do not list off all your activities again, because colleges can see that. Maybe try elaborating on the one that's most important to you, if it's relevant, but then again avoid the essays that sound like "I learned teamwork and how great it is to work with people." Or try writing about something that colleges don't know from looking at your activity summary. The essay is your only chance to show off your personality, basically, so make sure they get a good idea of who you are after you write those 500 words. </p>
<p>And don't write eight essays.</p>
<p>Ha 8 essays...let me finish one first!
thanks for all your advice. this entire process is just incredibly daunting, and every time I re-read what I've written, I find more and more errors, and so I revise it and read again, and the cycle just never ends...</p>
<p>hah</p>
<p>navy_blue: If you think I was talking about the student response to the prompt, no-I meant the prompt itself. That's good writing, and it's what everyone should strive for. You never know what you'll get until you try.</p>
<p>revision is good. don't worry, you'll get to that perfect essay eventually.</p>
<p>perfect essay exist?</p>