<p>As I'm writing essays, I've noticed some similar themes pop up in many essays. All of it is unintentional, and I suppose it's natural that the things I care about the most will reappear. </p>
<p>Is this okay? Is it better to have a solid definition of who you are - like a one-line explanation of you strengthened by your essays/activities/etc </p>
<p>or using each essay to highlight a different facet of you?</p>
<p>I feel that I can take it either way (as I'm sure many others can as well).
Which was is better? Does it matter?</p>
<p>Edit: probably should be "importance of variety in an application"</p>
<p>I think of a good application as sort of defining the “brand” of you. You don’t want to be disjointed and inconsistent. But you also don’t want to be repetitive. If that makes sense… An essay that is inconsistent with your ECs, recommendations, summer activities, coursework, etc. will be noticed. Assuming ad-coms read your application carefully (they usually do), you don’t have to hammer them with exactly the same thing again and again. But a consistent theme is not a bad thing… If your essays are “showing”, not “telling”, and are well done, the admissions departments should be able to detect your theme.</p>