I am a senior in high school and currently struggling with what I am going to write in my college essay. Most people say to write something unique about yourself but I can’t find something to talk about. I was planning on writing about my experiences as coming here in the united states without knowing English, but some say it’s clique or lacking originality.
I’m not sure what you think a bunch of strangers can tell you. Your question is too vague/general.
It’s not true that you need to be unique or original. You need to give admissions officers a reason to like you and think you’d be an asset to the class they are putting together. My kids looked at who they thought they were and then tried to tell that story. For my older son it was pretty much - I’m a computer nerd and I am willing to teach myself information way beyond what a high school curriculum can provide. He also managed to show his sense of humor in the essay. My younger son, tried to show some interests that were not obvious from the rest of his application. He used the various combinations of essays both on the common application and the various supplements to show multiple sides of himself. He also talked about teaching himself a skill, though in his case it had nothing to do with academics.
Considering how many essays adcoms read, year in and year out, it’s futile to expect yours to be “unique.”
What it needs to be is relevant to what adcoms want to learn about you, the traits they want.
Try to think of an experience you’ve had or something about you that makes you you. Think of a little tiny watermelon seed idea and then from that, develop it into an essay. This essay is only 650 words long which is very short to give a compete picture of yourself. Think of it just as a snapshot.
I think learning English as a second language could be good. If your writing is good, the topic will be good.
No worries. You can do this.
An essay about learning English as a second language could show how you are resilient or adaptable. It could show your curiosity for a new culture. There are a lot of directions you could go.
I don’t feel this topic would be too overused; As long as you Incorporate your own personality and traits into the essay, it should be fine. Perhaps you have a personal anecdote or theme that you can highlight the essay on?