<p>As the title implies, I'm trying to think really hard about a good
Common App essay, but my brain's in cryofreeze. I'm aware about all the
do's and don't's of the essay game, but I just can't get the juices
flowing. I hope some of you great writers here could take a quick
glance and kinda give some ideas, or some criticism on how the ideas I got.
I'm applying to Princeton(hey, nothing to lose), UT-Austin, Hopkins, Penn
State, Georgia Tech, Columbia, Cornell, Rutgers, and Berkeley. I surely
know that some of these are dream schools, but I say, hey if they're on
the common app, I've got nothin' to lose! Kindly take some time to help
me out. Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Well, I hope to post the full stats later, but to keep it short, I've
got MRC, 6 APs, EC's(rare) like Habitat for Humanity, NHS/SHS, TV
studio, F.I.R.S.T. robotics(State champs first year!), and other small
crap. </p>
<p>Now here's the big enchrito, WORK! Everone tells me that I've got a
work situation that can't be done by most HS students when in tandem
with my kind of courseload/good grades in classes; this kind of workload
would be tough even for adults let alone students. I work in a construction
company with my dad, where I've been doing so since 9th grade. Since
I'm the son of the boss, and the olderone in the family, I've been given a
lot of responsibilities, and trust me, they're not the "oh he works with his
dad, he takes it easy" stuff. I work my butt off. I've
worked my way from skilled labor to project manager, directing crews to
their tasks. My family is low income, making what is essentially nothing
here in Jersey(I live in a cottage while around me there are million
dollar developments, what a place), and I work to support their income.
Involved plumbing, electrical, carpentry masonry and evolved to project
management, elementary engineering/architecture, sales, and web
marketing. As it was, I worked about 35 hours a week, including Sunday.
All while maintaining grades around an A and taking AP Macro in
sophomore year(4 on the exam) and AP Spanish in junior year. </p>
<p>Now, with the recent slump in the housing market beginning in mid 07,
we've got to work even harder to make ends meet. But I'm still taking
four AP's in senior year, including two self-studies, and so far it is
going good. I hope to graduate with around a 4.0 GPA. I've been working
till about 10 to 11 ish recently.I've realized
through work that I can really cope with high pressure/stress, and I've
got all the qualities needed of a project manager.</p>
<p>Now I'm hoping I can use the above thingy as one of those significant
achievement essays on the Common App. You know, the whole "kid from
low-income family who's also an academic dude worked extra-hard to
support the family when they were in need while also maintaining good
grades with AP's and doing decent EC's.". Do you guys think this will
work? I remember someone telling me to start off my essay with "I know
how to demolish a house with a Caterpillar". That's a little powerful,
but what do you think?</p>
<p>It's either that or relating to a Horatio Alger story with a character
like Ragged Dick. Point is, I don't want to make it a sob story.</p>
<p>And even if I had the idea, I don't know how to write about it
artistically and expressively. I'm kind of the objective writer, not
like the ones needed for the colleges I'm applying to. </p>
<p>Thanks so much for your input! (and reading this long piece of crap)</p>