I’m finalizing my college essays right now but I’m left clueless about what to write for the MIT community essay prompt. I’ve done a lot of volunteering for UNICEF over the past 3 years and it’s something that is very important for me but I don’t want to write my essay about that since it’s probably an overdone topic and there is a very high chance that my teachers have already written about it in their Rec letters.
What did you write about? What kind of answer is MIT expecting? Which topics should I avoid/choose?
Here’s the prompt
At MIT, we bring people together to better the lives of others. MIT students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way in which you have contributed to your community, whether in your family, the classroom, your neighborhood, etc. (200-250 words)
Just a thought --if all your time was spent on this one effort and you do NOT have anything else significant …do not see how you would be wrong to write about that even if your teachers write about that?
IT is rare to have Two major achievements in addition to being a very good student and getting top grades.
My vote will be write about what you were passionate …and how you gave everything for it…keep in mind I am just one data point (Not from MIT …or an admission person --just a parent!).
Just be yourself - don’t worry about “what kind of answer MIT is expecting”, just be authentic. If a huge portion of your time was spent volunteering for UNICEF, then write about it, and why it is important to you.