<p>Hello everyone,</p>
<p>I had an essay topic I would like to run by some of you to get some feedback. An essay on "being a fly on the wall to an important part of history" and relating that history with myself and my personal qualities. Would this topic be strong/what admissions look for? I would love some opinions.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Why not? As long as it is one you believe will give a reader a favorable impression of you, go for it. Remember that the topic is irrelevant- what matters is how something affected you.</p>
<p>@steinway thanks for the advice. Does that mean it is fine if I focus on my own personal qualities in the essay rather than what H can do for me?</p>
<p>Many students are accepted to Harvard without writing a supplemental essay. The key is to tell Admissions something they could not glean from the rest of your application. For example, my daughter wrote her supplemental essay about the first time she performed a lead role on stage – always dreaming of the spotlight, but then dreading the hundreds of pairs of eyes demanding to be entertained. My son wrote his supplemental essay about all the inane things he has learned from watching youtube videos – from learning to play guitar, to driving a stick shift, to playing ping pong. </p>
<p>If you decide to write a supplemental essay, It really doesn’t matter what you write about, so long as the information is new and relevant to who you are. </p>
<p>And FWIW: Writing about what Harvard can do for you is an awful topic. The better choice – and one Admissions might be intrigued about – is what YOU can do for Harvard.</p>
<p>Thank you very much @gibby! I appreciate the help. Would writing a supplemental essay ever detract from my overall application by chance? Just trying to weigh my options, although I am confident with my choice of topic.
(and towards your FWIW: I had meant to write what I can do for Harvard in my last message but mixed it up).</p>
<p>
There’s always that chance, I suppose. For example, let’s say your teacher recommendations proclaim you to be one of the best writers they’ve ever had in their classroom. As an applicant, you’ve spent the past 3 to 4 months writing, editing and refining your Common app essay for your SCEA application. But, you can’t decide whether to write a supplemental essay and throw one together in the last few weeks of October that is less than stellar. That might detract from the overall impression. IMHO, if you don’t already have a supplemental essay written for your SCEA application by now, then don’t write one in the next 3 weeks and send it in.</p>
<p>@gibby Of course, I would not even be considering the supplement this late if I hadn’t already written out a few drafts (which I have 
). thank you, your comments will be helpful! </p>