<p>Possible topic: an unusual circumstance in your life. </p>
<p>First of all when they say here are some possible essay topics, do they mean you HAVE to choose one of those, or are those just examples?</p>
<p>I am assuming we should choose from one of those 5, and since my common app essay is a combination of tennis and a trip to mexico, that leaves me to discuss a book or an academic subject...or of course the above topic. </p>
<p>Do they want this to be about why you live with your brother in Africa or can I take a creative standpoint, like say how I have a traditional Iranian father and a Jewish feminist mother, and how that has shaped my view on women's rights and tie that back to how I founded a women in politics club and plan to study poli sci myself, ect. </p>
<p>So basically, is this pretty open to interpretation, or is this a stretch for what they are asking for?</p>
<p>Anyone with some experience with harvard supplement essays, please help! Thanks</p>
<p>They give you this little paragraph about how they “don’t require any supplementary material; [they] just want to make sure you have every opportunity to express yourself.” So it’s technically not required that you write the extra essay, but because Harvard is just so selective, the extra essay is pretty much a necessity for any competitive application. Especially if you think you don’t really stand out in any other areas of your application.</p>
<p>The extra essay isn’t necessary at all. Harvard isn’t trying to play mind games with it’s applicants. If they truly wanted to read another essay, they’d make it a requirement. The supplemental essay is an opportunity to express an experience or part of your personality that didn’t show up on the rest of your application and may make someone on the admission board love you. If you’re just going to craft a well-written piece about something unimpressive, it’s not going to help or hurt you.</p>
<p>I agree that it’s not a trick. But, quite honestly, why would you not spend a few extra hours working on another essay to showcase yourself? You’ve already spend the last four years of high school getting good graces and demonstrating a passion in am EC. An extra seems like nothing compared to that.</p>
<p>I appreciate all of your input! However, I am definitely writing an essay, but I am just concerned about the topic. Like will this idea work for their topic list…?</p>
<p>I’ve been looking at it as well and noticed that the form is for last year. So I would wait until August until the new one comes out to see what changes they made, if any. If the form stays the same then you can write about anything for your supplementary essay. It clearly states that those topics are just suggestions. Therefore you can write about anything that you feel would aid the admissions officers in accepting you.</p>
<p>I agree with strat94. It think it’s best to wait just a bit, but brainstorming ideas is certainly smart. Personally, I think your topic is certainly interesting, and if you wrote it very well and really made it airtight, I think your essay would probably catch some attention.</p>
<p>My D who is at Harvard ,skipped it . She was too busy ! It’s like an extra chance to shine , or talk about something you missed . My D didn’t need it .</p>