<p>One of the options for the common app essay includes a political issue; however, if I were to write about a political issue, would talking about the influx of Iraqi refugees and mirroring it to the influx in Vietnamese refugees following the Vietnam war be too volatile an issue to approach? I'd hate to accidentally offend someone on AdCom and hurting my own chances by writing about something I feel passionate about.</p>
<p>Here's my main problem with that topic.</p>
<p>How on earth are you going to relate it to yourself? What is this going to tell adcoms concerning you?
That's the main purpose of the essays- to bring yourself out into the open and become a real person rather than just stats.</p>
<p>Adcoms aren't using your essays as a litmus test. It doesn't matter what your beliefs or political opinions are - the important part is that you explain them clearly and show your reasoning well. If your essay is thoughtful and displays a lot of knowledge about the subject, no one will be offended.</p>
<p>Johnson181 has a legitimate point, though. If you do go with this topic, make sure you explain why this is important to you, how it connects to your values, and any relevant personal experiences you've had - don't just summarize the issue.</p>
<p>depends on the question and how its phrased, can you give us the actual question?</p>
<p>you don't want it to sound like a homework assignment</p>
<p>The question on the common app I believe the op is referring to is:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Well I mainly just wanted to begin with relating the immigration issues, then bring in the fact that I understand how the Iraqi immigrants feel, more specifically the difficulties a child faces growing up culturally confused. I guess my essay would relate more to the personal issue in my learning to deal with the fact that I am both Vietnamese and American at the same time? I don't know...would that be too cliched?</p>