<p>I've always loved Harry Potter. When it came out, I was five, and I forced my mom to read it to me. I've adored and read it ever since, so when I looked on the Common App essay and there was an essay topic about a fictional character and its influence on you, my mind immediately flew to Hermione.</p>
<p>But like I've posted, I'm applying to Brown. If I write an essay about my love for Hermione, will they immediately think that I want to go because of Emma Watson? This is so frustrating! I don't even like the movies! I don't care about Emma Watson, or if she's going to my college! When I visited Brown two summers ago, I told my sister I loved it before she even told me that Emma Watson was going. If I had my way, Emma would have gone to a different college.</p>
<p>I have a back-up essay topic about my sister coming out, but I feel like I don't have any place to write that, even if it did change my view on life. This essay feels like it was made for me - I'm supposed to write it.</p>
<p>So do I let my worries about Emma Watson and Brown completely change my essay topic? Are they unfounded? What should I do? ):</p>
<p>I think you can go with the topic of Hermione. She is a fictional character in the books (stick with the books, not movie) and thus, your essay is not about Emma Watson. Go for it. </p>
<p>(hope you get into Brown…signed parent of Brown alum)</p>
<p>They might think that you are applying because of Emma Watson, but, if you write a really stellar essay, they would want you because of your personality/character/writing skills and overlook the Emma Watson part. They might even think that they would have a better chance of you attending if you applied. Overall, I think it wouldn’t matter so much.</p>
<p>I disagree about the last part of sjn’s post.
They would not be happy that you are more likely to attend because you love Hermione. That’s basically what you don’t want. Not only are they looking to build the best incoming class possible, they want to preserve what they do have. College is a business. Emma Watson is not only a definitely full tuition student who at about twenty has made more than most people will in their entire lives–someone likely to donate. They cannot let in someone who seems obsessed with one of their current students. (Imagine what would happen if they let in some guy who wrote his essay about her and he ended up stalking her or something similar. This isn’t you of course.)</p>
<p>However, on the topic of your essay, it’s doable. I’d say to err on the side of caution and not mention the actress at all. (Saying without prompting that you don’t want to go because of her is suspicious too) Just talk about the character in the books. If you can find someone else to talk about in the books, even better (McGonagall is similar, but not exactly the same as Hermione) or if you can think of a similar character in a different series, that works. </p>
<p>You seem to be a girl though, so that brings the whole possible stalker thing down a ton.</p>