Essays

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>Hi again guys.</p>

<p>I have a somewhat simple question about the essays, both CommonApp's and Stanford's.</p>

<p>I have read multiple times that it is better to drill down into a single event/situation for prompts. However, if I want to display that I have a passion for perseverance, how would I do that without drifting across several experiences where this is evident?</p>

<p>A couple quick examples:</p>

<p>iPhone programmer - working feverishly when errors occur in an effort to isolate and solve them, taking an interminable amount of time - and usually desiring to quit (though I never truly quit).</p>

<p>Camp counselor for two weeks - having a child with ADD, who is a natural born trouble maker as well, in my cabin of five 11 and 12 year olds. Being stressed 24/7 because of it, but knowing that I had to press on and finish, hopefully making progress with the child in the process.</p>

<p>I could list at least a couple more... but how can I describe this passion of mine in an appropriate manner? It just does not seem possible.</p>

<p>(Keep in mind that in my case, the essays are going to be either the largest or second largest persuaders when the committee reads my application).</p>

2

<p>just as an example, you can follow a common theme but mention different experiences that impacted u with that theme. i.e. if you write about an international issue, you could write about different experiences that formed your opinion</p>

3

<p>weirdly enough my essay sounds kinda like yours although with different activities. I just chose to write the “your choice” essay or whatever its called and in my intro i depicted a “typical day” so in your case a time when your iphone breaksdown and somehow weaving all the activities into one stressful day. and sommmeeehoowww you manage to persevere. well thats what i did but mine was coaching a softball team, going to rehearsals for theatre and a load of other stuff. and then i just went on to describe how in general ive overcome adversity and persevered. :slight_smile: hope that helps</p>