<p>I was wondering, since it's nearing the Jan. 1st deadlines for many schools and I'm about to hit the submit button, are these various essay topics I've used good? Or are they corny/cliche? </p>
<p>The essay questions aren't verbatim since I've done about 20 of them and also don't feel like having to copy/paste them from various places. <3 <3 <3.</p>
<p>-"What piques your curiosity? Tell about a time you were awed."
I wrote about how I've always been interested in various cultures' ancient civilizations, especially the ruins they leave behind. I tell about a specific time when I climbed to the top of some ruins in the wee hours of the morning and was awed by the sights and magnifigence of it all.</p>
<p>-For the open ended common app essay...
I wrote about my random obsession with a certain exotic animal during my adolesence and how it led to me locating it in a zoo in America and being allowed to have a private showing. Then eventually traveling thousands of miles to go see it in its natural habitat.</p>
<p>-"Write about someone who has influenced you."
Standard essay question. I write about an anarchist uncle relative who introduced me to politics early on. Can have a cute sidebar narrative about hearing him get arrested in Greece for not showing his Argentine passport marked all up with recent visits all over the Mid-East...</p>
<p>-"What has factors have led to your interest in this major/professional aspirations?" cliche type of question you see, especially for business schools.
I write about the combination of my interests in anything international, my multicultural background, randomly starting to read books from the family library on econ/politics, and meeting a close relative who owns a large company and him really making me interested in that area of study from a young age...I'm going for international public policy or economics sort of major.</p>
<p>-"Describe a time you went off the beaten track and did something different?"
I write about how I casted my sculpture in sculpture class in injectable foam, opposed to the typical hydrocal mix. Then when it came out I found it was malleable and easily transformed into different postures. My piece of a priest being bound and gagged to a cross was changed into the great Saladin, who repelled the Crusaders and led the mid-east. Now I love the new piece better, etc etc.</p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to read. Of coure these essays aren't all for one school but in general they fit across the board for almost all schools. Comments, criticisms, are all welcomed.</p>