I am super stuck on deciding what to write about in my common app essay, and I want all my applications in by november first so i am running out of time. I am applying to several nursing programs at different universities and I want these programs to see the qualities I have and how they will contribute to me becoming a successful nurse. Should my essay be medical related? I was thinking I could also write about times that ive helped others to emphasise the empathy I have for others, but I know that colleges want to know about ME, not the other person. Ive been stuck on this for months and I really need some guidance on this.
I think it might be best if you focus on one story that shows how you empathized with someone, instead of trying to think of lots of different times you empathized with a lot of people.
Give us some ideas. Think hard. Was there a time you went above and beyond to help someone? An occasion when you had to imagine what you might do in someone else’s shoes, and what you did to help solve a crisis? A time when you felt compelled to emphathize even though the person didn’t ask for anything?
I agree with Linadagaf and want to add that nursing is teamwork. Express how you work well as a team member. Nursing is a stressful occupation, and I read many nursing essays about nursing burnout and abuse by nurse managers–don’t talk about that, but do talk about the importance of teams and working well together–respect for the other nurses, patients, technicians, and doctors. It is not just about having compassion for patients; it’s a very contained environment. If you have experience as a project leader, mention that. People do not consider that nursing is a business, but it is.
Our central philosophy towards college essays is that they need to prove that you’ll be successful there and beyond. We think you’re definitely on the right track by emphasizing the key traits that you have and how they will contribute to your success in their program.
The topic doesn’t have to be medical related but if you have something significant in medicine as part of your Activities List or contributed significantly to why you’ve decided to go down this path, then we think that’s probably your best bet for a personal statement topic.
As for empathy for others and helping people, your concern is valid about wanting to showcase more about you than the other person. However, folks who have taken this approach often find success describing the relationship and how that has been impactful to you and the other person. Your contribution to that individual (or your community, your school, your friend group) is a very strong trait. One way to brainstorm this is to try to imagine how that situation might’ve developed if you weren’t there to contribute. What difference did you make via your empathy? Hope this helps!