<p>I'm JUST starting to write my common app essay. I know it's really really late, so help is very much appreciated :)</p>
<p>I'm planning to write on moving to US in my senior year. It hugely impacted me and I learn loads from this ongoing experience, etc etc. </p>
<p>The problem is the specific family problems and financial problems help explain why moving and staying in US was/is so hard. Everything is complicated and personal. But this is WHY it affects me as much as it did/does. SOOO should I skip this topic altogether (I can't think of any other thing to write about atm) Or should I stick to it but remain relatively unpersonal?</p>
<p>That dreaded essay really isn’t read for content as much as it’s read for style, vocabulary, and general ability to draw in the reader. You can really, truly, write about any subject, but it has to be readable and sustain interest. One aspect that is really outstanding about your post here is your grammar. Be sure to read your essay out loud and also to show your essay to an English teacher before you submit it.</p>
<p>Example:I’m planning to write on moving to US in my senior year. It hugely impacted me and I learn loads from this ongoing experience. Should be: I’m planning to write about moving to the US during my senior year. The process made a huge impact on me, but I learned a lot from the experience.</p>
<p>Hahaha thanks for correcting me
I usually don’t check my grammar when making quick posts. I probably should from now on. So you think the subject and content of the essay don’t really matter?</p>
<p>IMO both content and style matters. I know what you mean about your dilemma on how personal to get, I’m mulling about the same thing. I believe if it was one of the major impacts on your life you should definitely at least touch up on it, but not turn it into the typical ‘sob, I hate my life, pity me’ essay. But if you can write about it in a manner so that it’s more about how it impacted you and how you changed for the better from the experience, I think it’s good.</p>
<p>Now … all of the above is just my opinion. I know most people believe that college essays shouldn’t include personal difficulties. But I think it’s all about the balance.</p>
<p>Just try your best not to sound whiney, like your trying to write some pity-fest. Just make your point across and avoid saying stuff like, “my mom died my junior year, i lost all hope, but i survived, so that is why i should be accepted.”</p>
