<p>Hi! So I was wondering which of the following topics would be a more compelling commonapp essay:
1. How I am gay and how I started working in an AIDS research lab (BTW aids disproportionately affects and kills homosexual males) and how I've been able to publish research
Or
2. An essay on piano as an environment in which I am wholly content....</p>
<p>I think 2 is less risky but 1 is more compelling. Thoughts?</p>
<p>anyone?</p>
<p>Any topic <em>could</em> potentially be compelling, depending on how effectively a writer can convey his or her experience. </p>
<p>That being said, I would say that my guess would be that you probably should write on (1), for a few reasons:</p>
<p>1) You have published research. That suggests that you are pretty involved on this topic.
2) Fewer people have worked in AIDS research labs than play the piano, so you don’t even have to work as hard to differentiate your experience from others’ on that topic (although, again…you have published research.)
3) Just from your short post, look how many more words you put towards that topic than you do toward the piano topic. It seems like you personally would rather talk about the research – so go and do that! This is your time to shine.</p>
<p>would you think that adding the personal element (I’m gay…have been made fun of/bullied)…what would you say? That’s part of my motivation for working in the lab. Should I include that or is that too risky…?</p>
<p>I don’t know why you keep talking about this being “too risky” – it really shouldn’t be that risky for most places (and in fact, there probably also are scholarships/grants specifically for LGBT folks).</p>
<p>I would reframe things like this instead:</p>
<p>Part of this process is a matchmaking process – if a school doesn’t want you because of your orientation (which, btw, is illegal in a lot of places, but I mean, I understand that there are a lot of conservative/religious private schools where it wouldn’t be), then do you really want to go there?</p>
<p>Really, the personal element – and how it motivates you, inspires you, drives you – is what it’s about. Obviously, how you write the essay will make a difference, but it seems like a very solid way to approach this to talk about your personal experience, how it has motivated you, and your research accomplishments.</p>
<p>Thank you. I appreciate your feedback and the input of others.</p>
<p>Also as a gay student, I once considered writing about the topic but gave up. It’s very great that you have done some valuable researches on AIDS, which successfully relate your personal backgrounds to your aspirations. Be sure to reflect on your identity and experiences carefully and you will have an effective essay that answers those questions like “who you are” and “where you go”. </p>
<p>Don’t write about the piano, unless u are a serious prodigy. Someone PM’d me their unsolicited essay to critique, about playing the piano, and I fell asleep before I could even finish reading it. </p>
<p>@needivy Based on what you wrote in your original post, I believe topic 1 would showcase more on how you would contribute to a college’s community. So, my vote is for topic 1. Be sure to answer the Common App prompt completely. Good luck! </p>
<p>Well, sure you can write about piano. But whatever you choose, make it relevant to what adcoms seek in applicants.
What do you want them to see about you, when they read it? Remember unlike many hs essays, it isn’t just a writing assignment. They want to get a sense of who you are, what sort of qualities for their community. and you need to include “show, not tell,” let them feel it and like it.</p>
<p>And the prompts are only a starting point. </p>
<p>A thousand percent 1. 2 has been done to death. </p>
<p>Number 1 is more interesting. From my point of view, I find myself intrigued to read that essay. Piano/music are so overdone I doubt its easy for anyone to say anything new. Its just so overdone. Stay with 1. </p>
<p>Is “piano as an environment in which I am wholly content” really overdone? I’ve read fewer essays on this than those about being gay. </p>
<p>But OP’s twist is the research. Both topics are good. No one can tell OP that, done right, either is lesser. Or that anonymous poster preference on a forum is the deciding factor. OP just needs to make sure he/she conveys the attributes adcoms need to see. Let the readers like him. Or her.</p>
<p>The being gay topic I agree is has been written alot before, but OP’s story is unique and has a different twist to it thats why I prefer it. </p>
<p>OP, if you feel like both essays are important to you, my suggestion is to keep 1 as a commonapp essay, and 2 as a supplemental essay for colleges that do want a supplement. </p>
<p>Gay is the new black. I’d go w gay.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I think I’m going to go with option one! At any rate, I’d better get going before my apps are due on Jan 1!</p>
<p>yeah I agree, essay 1 is better, unless you’re applying to safety schools (you can edit 3x). But for selective schools, definitely 1. Good luck!</p>