<p>Essay topic for CommonApp: Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below (1000 character maximum).</p>
<p>I want to write about something extremely unique because I bet by the time college admission counselors read my essay, they've read every topic, it's vague and boring to them. Unfortunately, I've never had a job. I've done volunteer work for a nursing home, library and volunteer work in India. I've taken part in clubs in my high school but nothing to spark great excitement. What can I write about? How can I make my essay individualistic yet exciting and unique? Please help me out! :)</p>
<p>The point of the exercise isn’t to demonstrate that you’ve had experiences that nobody else in the applicant pool can duplicate: “…so I looked across the table and said to him, ‘Mr. President–Hosni, if I may–it’s really time for you to step aside and give democracy a chance in Egypt.’”</p>
<p>The point of the exercise is to write about something that is pretty much what everybody else does, but to do so in a way that shows the admissions committee something about the kind of person you are. Because, really, colleges are building entering classes made up of young people, not of resumes.</p>
<p>It is possible to write about fairly mundane events in a way that’s still engaging. Ever read Jane Austen?</p>
<p>You shouldn’t try to be overly unique. I think the trick is to write about something that is important to you, and to do that in a persuasive way. The topic may be generic, but that doesn’t mean that it is by definition boring. </p>
<p>Remember the point of the essay: it’s one of the few ways to show the admissions committee what kind of person you are, so use that oppurtunity wisely and stay true to yourself.</p>