<p>I just have a hard time figuring myself out. There have been lots of things that make me, me but what should I really include? I've read CC for quite some time and the consensus is to use the application to present an image/package that elite schools will prefer. As I am an international (Canadian) with solid stats and awards (national) but not IMO, I feel like this aspect will be important for me. </p>
<p>But what makes me, me? I don't know. I moved after frosh year to a new country and adapted- is that me? I do/did intensive scientific research (many, many hours) on an interesting topic that affects many. I am writing a book on education. I like world history and politics and I'm fascinated with how people work. I like cycling, cool breezes, waterfalls but not snow. I want to preserve my culture (Indian) but I also want to be Canadian. I'm in awe of art and writing, even though I consider myself not terribly good at it. I have conversations in my head with people. </p>
<p>You see? My list sounds so insanely insipid that it isn't even funny. I don't know how to present myself at all. Honestly,I think that for all my many faults, I'm a deeply sincere but reserved person. I just can't figure out what and how to communicate myself. </p>
<p>Any tips/advice will be very, very much appreciated!</p>
<p>I’ve tried writing three of my admissions essays so far, and the one that has worked best for me is just a typical “slice of life” essay on a mundane topic. You mentioned many interests in your second paragraph, so why not use one of them for your essay? You could write about a specific path you cycle, a waterfall you visit, or an art piece that you made that had a profound impact on the way you think. It’s not about the topic you choose, but instead about what it means to you.</p>
<p>It’s early enough that you can scratch your essay if you don’t like it. But you won’t know if you’ll like your essay unless you try to write it.</p>
<p>The thing that intrigues me the most here is the book on education. What’s it about, why are you qualified to write it, etc.? This might make an interesting essay.</p>
<p>Careful - that’s a good idea. But how can one do that without coming off as contrived? Do you include specific details so the anecdote shows something?</p>
<p>halycon, it’s a long story and I think it’d get overly technical. For a student to write such a book, the obvious starting point is a feeling of discontent with the current educational system and then go forward from that. However, I don’t think that’s a wise thing to start with as I bet adcoms have read plenty of ‘I’m so unique and individual, the world doesn’t get me’ type essays. That maxim may be true for some but I think it’s hard to communicate it effectively.</p>
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<p>One of my favorite things about reading other people’s writing is when they say something I’ve always thought but never could put words to. I think an essay about mental conversations could easily be like this.
What do these conversations tell you about yourself?</p>
<p>It won’t seem contrived if it truly means something to you.</p>