I’m hoping to attend UNC Chapel Hill next year and they require two essays, one chosen from the common app prompts and a second from a list of prompts that they provide. The prompt I think I want to do is, “There are 27 amendments to the constitution of the US. What should be the 28th?” I want to do this for a variety of reasons, one being it most likely won’t lead me into the overused land of essays where I discuss a sports injury, the impact of my grandparents, or how I went to a third world country for a week to help people. Also I find politics extremely interesting, and I also hope to be a political science major, but I’m very weary about this because it’s, well, politics.
I know that the admissions process isn’t supposed to have much if not any bias, and that UNC is literally asking for you to get political with them, but I just really don’t want to screw this up. If I do go with this topic I certainly won’t be hitting any of the high strung issues (gay marriage, abortion, gun rights/control, etc.). I’m thinking of either going with a constitutional amendment to reform the electoral college, to require independent commissions to draw congressional and general assembly districts (therefore limiting gerrymandering), or some sort of campaign finance reform. I tried to pick topics that are as party neutral as can be although if I do tend to lean towards one side it will be more liberal, and I know UNC is more liberal than conservative.
Keep in mind: they don’t really care about your answer. Sure, they would like not to have their personal views insulted by someone who is hoping they’ll be admitted. But, by and large, they don’t care what you’re for or against.
That’s not the point of this exercise.
The point of the essay is for YOU to give them a “reason to say yes.” They want you to present a logical argument-- almost any creative argument-- and to show a whole lot of your own personality.
Honestly, the electoral college has been debated for decades-- it will be hard for you to get really creative about it.
I would go far more basic. Stop and think about what this country does best, what it does worst. What do people need the most? Keep in mind: we’re a VERY varied country. Any amendment to the constitution has to be as good an idea for a 20something Manhattan stockbroker as for his 70 year old grandfather on his farm in the Midwest, and his 50 year old aunt in Alaska.
Those seem like great topics, but remember that your statement isn’t supposed to be a research essay; it’s supposed to show your personality or interests. Can you safely talk about why you are passionate about reforming the electoral college or district drawing? Even though this prompt is phrased differently, it’s safe to assume that it’s aiming for the same thing as the other prompts - elaboration on the applicant’s interests or experiences.
@bjkmom Thanks so much! You really put it into perspective that’s it’s meant as a reason to say yes, and they don’t really care about how you feel politically.
@Autumnal Thanks to you as well! After your comment I decided to go with campaign finance reform because that’s what actually got me interested in political science and a career in politics. I think that if I go with campaign finance reform I’d not be able to argue for why it’s important, but also show how it’s what got me interested into what I want as a future career (which will hit on my own personal interests).