<p>I have no idea what to write about for essay 5a (please reflect on something you would like us to know about you that we might not learn from the rest of your application, or on something about which you would like to say more. You may write about anything—from personal experiences or interests to intellectual pursuits).</p>
<p>Does anyone have suggestions on how to approach it?</p>
<p>This is probably an example of the paradox of choice. You can’t have a much more open ended prompt than this one, yet it is the one giving you trouble. </p>
<p>My suggestion is to read your app as a stranger would, see what impression they’d have of you, and think of what one additional thing you’d like for them to include in their portrait of you. </p>
<p>Additionally, you might have someone who knows you well read your app and tell you what they think should be added, but I much prefer the first suggestion. </p>
<p>Good luck. </p>
<p>You can write about anything you want. My daughter wrote her supplemental essay about the first time she performed a lead role on stage – always dreaming of the spotlight, but then dreading the hundreds of pairs of eyes demanding to be entertained. My son wrote his supplemental essay about all the inane things he has learned from watching youtube videos – from learning to play guitar, to driving a stick shift, to playing ping pong. It really doesn’t matter what you write, so long as you are telling Admissions something they could not glean from the rest of your application.</p>
<p>Thank you! @ixnaybob and @gibby I was thinking about writing about how I feel about first days of schools/ new beginnings (my dad is in the military so I moved around a lot until around 6th grade)</p>
<p>^^ Go for it!</p>
<p>i think that’s an <em>excellent</em> essay topic…</p>
<p>Sorry to hijack this thread but I too have an essay question. Is it ok to talk about/challenge God in an essay? Or is that a danger zone I should steer clear of? </p>
<p>^^ Google the chaplain’s offices for the colleges on your list and look at the number of religions on campus. For example, at Yale, this is what comes up: <a href=“Yale Religious Ministries | Chaplain's Office”>Yale Religious Ministries | Chaplain's Office;
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<p>If you can write an essay that is INCLUSIVE of all religion’s, including student’s who are atheist’s, then I think writing about God is absolutely fine.</p>
<p>FWIW: My daughter, wrote her Common App essay about the lack of religion in her life. Some colleges like Harvard love it (accepted), some colleges like Yale and Princeton may not have liked it as much (rejected).</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>I agree it needs to be personal and let your personality come through. My D wrote about how she stutters terribly yet forced herself to compete in (and win) oratorical competitions and be a viable member of the debate team. She wrote it from a very personal point of view.</p>