<p>I'm having trouble deciding which essay to submit to the Common Application out of two choices. The first one is about "describe a moment in which you experienced failure" and is about how I lost a writing competition. I like my style for this one, but it meanders -- although I can always cut it down. </p>
<p>The other essay choice is the first one, about "personal identity", and is about how I overcame an incredible vision deficiency. It's shorter, but I don't like the writing as much. </p>
<p>Which one should I go with? If there's not enough information I can always provide more.</p>
<p>Honestly I think the only way to get adequate advice on this issue is to show your essays to someone, receive critiques on both, and use that to figure out which one is better for you. As an experienced essay editor (both on CC.com and at my school’s writing center), I’d be happy to help you with that process, if you so desire it :)</p>
<p>Why don’t you fix the problems with them, since they don’t seem done. See which finished product is superior. Meandering is not usually a good trait. I like essays that are focused and that your through a progression deliberately, otherwise it comes out as a jumble and disorganized. The second essay is a unique situation, I wonder if you can make it even shorter and submit it in the additional information section?</p>
<p>From your post alone, I would advise you to work on the second one and try to improve the quality of writing (you’re obviously capable of it if the first one is better) just because the topic seems much more unique. I had the same problem (failure prompt and challenging idea prompt) and I got someone whose opinion I really valued to read both. She told me that while both involved important ideas, the second topic was just more interesting and the failure topic (losing a big sports competition) has basically happened to everyone and everyone has pretty much the same response to it. Just a thought.</p>
<p>That’s what I was thinking, ameteorite – I think I might just go with the second one because it’s especially unique and means a lot to me. Thanks everyone</p>