<p>For me to write my essay about cross country when I'm also getting a recommendation from my cross country coach? Would I basically be saying the same thing twice?</p>
<p>not necessarily. a rec. from ur coach will most likely read how hard working you are, and that you improved through your persistence and stuff like that. if you were to write your essay on that, it would be too cliche and overused for a college admissions officer and wouldnt really be appreciated anyway.</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>Lol that’s exactly what my essay is about. I don’t really care if it’s cliche, as long as it is OK. I suck at writing so basically I’m hoping that my essay won’t get me rejected.</p>
<p>Make sure your essay is not too repetitive. If they see the rec and the activity they don’t want to be reading the same things over again. Good luck!</p>
<p>lol thats not gonna be really anything unique for you though lol. they dont wanna read about how your hard work and perseverance made you better like every other essay lol just saying. if u wanna do that, then by all means do it, but youre already putting yourself in a large class, rather than a unique class.</p>
<p>so i’m no runner, but…
what goes on in your head while you’re running?
does it clear your mind? help you make decisions? understand your math homework? reduce stress?
If you’ve ever had a eureka moment while running, that would be perfect. </p>
<p>You can put some of the standard stuff in too, since I’m sure all that is also true of your experiences. Putting a few less tangible/ obvious ideas in there might make it more interesting…</p>
<p>Isn’t running supposed to be mostly mental? Something like that? </p>
<p>Writing about all the places your running shoes have been could also be cool. a way to associate cross country with other life experiences.</p>
<p>As nyc saic, a eureka moment is exactly what would make your essay unique and not in the generic “sports taught me to work hard, appreciate vicory, and accept defeat” essay.</p>
<p>Letting yourself show through is the most important thing on a college essay, and you do not have to be a “great writer” in order to do this.</p>
<p>To make an essay more personal use specifics to support your general statements. Instead of “running taught me to work hard” try using an anecdote, or specific experience to reach this conclusion.</p>
<p>And to answer your initial question, I do not think writing an xc essay and getting a rec from your xc coach is an issue. A rec is written from another person’s point of view while your essay will be first person and something different can be gained from each piece.</p>