Help with choosing personal statement topic?

<p>Hi all, I'm choosing topics for my personal statement. Could someone give me their thoughts on which I should run with? I'm half-way through each of these essays but I'm lost on which I should really work on. [commonapp] </p>

<p>[thinking of choosing last prompt which is a "make your own prompt" er.. prompt]</p>

<ol>
<li><p>In sophomore year, I was given a sculpture project to work on for an AP art class. I didn't follow directions for the project [which peeved the teacher], but I eventually won a contest at national level with that piece because I went with my own judgment instead of the teacher's instructions. --> inspired me to continue to work on my work following my own principals and judgment; however, I still consider teacher and peer critiques and help . [This one is actually almost done... problem is, it indirectly bashes the teacher that initially tried to get me to do the sculpture project. She is my favorite teacher in the school! Yet I can't seem to reword the sentences properly]</p></li>
<li><p>In sophomore and junior year, I was a member in a multidisciplinary contemporary arts group. We were 'art activists', using dance, sculpture, and spoken word to express our views of relevant world issues. This program helped me step out of my comfort zone and helped me develop immensely as an artist and as a person.</p></li>
<li><p>In junior year, I was invited to a retreat to help plan an arts program for at-risk youth. This opened my eyes to how much work went into a program and how one would go about making a program successful. I applied these concepts to my arts club at school [i'm president ] and was able to triple membership and grab the attention of the arts department at school.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thoughts ? o_o They're all arts related but I can connect them to academics just to make it clear my brain's not just full of sheet music and paint.</p>

<p>From what I’ve heard, it’s best not to talk about an extracurricular activity in your personal statement. Talk about something that shades a new light on your personality. Ask yourself: Why should this college accept me? This should bring up some ideas.</p>

<p>^ WHAT?!?!?? What if your EC is an internship for making planetarium shows and working the telescope deck?!?!</p>

<p>I think it’s irrational to completely avoid extracurriculars as an essay topic. Colleges look for well-rounded students who are passionate and show devotion to a certain field[s]. If one was not able to write about extracurriculars… the college essay world would be even more challenging [and potentially boring] place than it is already.</p>

<p>Also, I think memorable experiences from ECs and lessons learned from ECs have so much potential for great personal statements.</p>