Favorite quotation to use as jumping off point

College Essays
1

<p>This is a Princeton supplement choice and also for many other college supplement essay choices.
Using a favorite quotation from an essay or book you have read in the last three years as a jumping off point, tell us about an event or experience that helped you define one of your values or changed how you approach the world. Please write the quotation at the beginning of your essay.</p>

<p>I was just wondering, what kind of quotations are the best? Do they have to be from famous literary works? For example, I am CONSIDERING
"The sky's not for us, we weren't meant to fly, all we can do is try not to fall."
Twilightwatch by Sergei Lukyanenko<br>
He is not a famous author and this book is a dark fantasy that reveals quite a bit about the human condition. However, it is not a literary classic by any means like Anna Karenina or anything by Shakespeare and it IS after all, a fantasy book. So my question is, would they look down upon your essay if they don't recognize the title from where it came from?</p>

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<p>On the contrary, I think they’d be more interested in an essay based on a quote they haven’t heard before. They might get several essays based on the same few famous, overused quote. Using a quote from a book that truly interests you is definitely the way to go.</p>

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<p>I agree with sylvie, a unique quote says a lot more about you and is more interesting than another “to be or not to be” essay. Definitely do not feel confined to using something out of Catcher in the Rye and the like, but on the other hand also be careful on what you do choose to use.</p>

<p>Your current quote you are considering seems to present the view of, don’t try to win, just make sure not to lose. The essay should reflect positively on you and although I do not know how you are planning to use it and I’m sure it could turn out wonderfully, consider what the quote you choose says about you.</p>

<p>Good luck on your essay :)</p>