<p>What are some good essay topics for us internationals? I, for example, am an Indian living abroad. I could elaborate on the diversity factor, but besides that, any other ideas?</p>
<p>Yeah, you and a few thousand fellow Indian applicants living abroad. Don't make diversity your main topic unless you truly have a unique experience ... or unless you qualify as URM.</p>
<p>Though I think Ethiopia has a pretty small candidate pool...so perhaps you could write about some experiences in Ethiopia...?</p>
<p>GoBlue... :( Great, now I have no essay whatsoever! :p</p>
<p>Yah, GoBlue...I know what you mean by the million Indians living everywhere :p. Izzy, I did do that; living here has impacted me a lot. It's just that I got deferred from Yale EA, and I'm wondering if there's any other topic I could use, which might make me "stand out" for Yale during RD. Maybe a "Why Yale?" essay...?</p>
<p>"Don't make diversity your main topic...unless you qualify as URM." GoBlue, I don't really know about this stuff. Do Indians qualify as URMs?</p>
<p>yukster, I'm applying to Yale RD and I know the additional essay is my chance to make myself standout. Problem is, apart from "Why Yale?" I can't think of anything else either. </p>
<p>Sorry, I'm of no help. I just wanted to chime in on the grief. </p>
<p>Well. Grief on my end, anyway. :)</p>
<p>Wait a minute, if you truly have a UNIQUE experience, or a PERSONAL insight on diversity, by all means put that in your essay. Just be reminded that it is not easy to differentiate yourself as there are thousands others with the same experience. I've seen too many students claiming they can contribute to the diversity of the university community simply because they have traveled a lot or have lived in a few countries.</p>
<p>yukster,
URM stands for Under Represented Minorities. Indians don't count as URM's as Indians are well represented at most of the top universities. Generally only African/Hispanic/native Americans are considered URMs, though there are exceptions at some LACs.</p>
<p>Adding on to what GoBlue has said, a unique or personal insight will only come from yourself and not from the suggestion of someone else, so I really doubt this thread will help you much...</p>
<p>Write about the topic you can write the best on!</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. I think I've come up with something :).</p>