Harvard just came out with their supplementary essay today. For the common app essay, my son wrote about a unique experience of communicating his violin performance to someone and how this experience has changed his outlook on his future performances and what his talent in violin is really for. The question I have is: for the supplementary essay, is it better to write about his passion for violin performance (but very different from what he wrote in his common app essay) to be consistent with his most important activity in his life, or would it be better to write about something entirely different to display another side of him? He intends to major in music.
As your son wrote about playing the violin for his Common App essay, IMHO he should NOT write about any aspect of playing the violin again for his other essays, as that might paint him as a one-dimensional applicant.
Your son should pick a completely different topic for Harvard’s supplemental short essay about an extracurricular activity or job (I’m assuming Harvard still asks that question in their supplement) and yet a third topic for his optional supplemental essay.
Your son’s goal is to paint a diverse portrait about himself by telling three stories on different topics that show dimensionality, likabilty, commitment, integrity, impact on community, character, work ethic, and passion (all without using any of those words in his actual essay).
FWIW: Please watch this video from a Stanford Admissions Officer about who ultimately gets offered a spot in the class. Everything it it applies to HYPM et al as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UYhTylqC9o&spfreload=10&ab_channel=CampbellHallCC
Thanks, @gibby. Exactly what my son wanted to hear.
From this TiggerMom, my daughter got on the Harvard Wait List this past round but chose her first choice college instead–Pomona. I recommend reading the Harry Bauld book on college essay writing. There are some really good tips advice about writing different types of essays that show your students’ many facets.
@Gibby 2016’s supplement question was essentially ‘your choice,’ and could incorporate work experiences I guess, and borrowed from other schools’ ideas like Dear Roommate (Stanford), travel experiences (lots), intellectual vitality (again, Stanford). It seems that they were looking for something well written, because you could use any of your essays to tell them something you wanted them to know about you.