<p>I turned in my common app and Im about to submit my Columbia Application either today or tomorrow. Im planning on using the essay I used for common app, but the more I read it the more cliche it sounds! and the more I read it, the less I like it.</p>
<p>I used Topic Choice #1 on Common app which is the significant experience one</p>
<p>Basically I wrote about how I used to be really insecure of myself, especially my heritage. I was the only one in the class who couldnt speak English "correctly" and I also had the deepest voice out of any girl I knew. Thus, I started to avoid public speaking. </p>
<p>Then I basically wrote about how I gained confidence through my sudden stumble upon Cheerleading. I joined because I really wanted to change myself. Then I went on about how my father did not want me to cheer at first because he wanted me to be in the band like most of the kids in the Japanese community. He accepted my will after I explained to him how I wanted to escape from my safe haven and from my insecurity. </p>
<p>I then wrote about my cheerleading experience and concluded with the fact that through cheerleading, I gained confidence. Through confidence, I learned to appreciate my culture and heritage and learned how to overcome my ethnic barriers. </p>
<p>I kinda feel like its cliche-after reading it 50 times haha I cant really change it anymore for my common app but Do you think its a fine topic for Columbia?</p>
good luck!</p>