<p>I've skateboarded pretty much my whole life and I consider it one of my greatest talents, but I've been told by a lot of people that the topic shouldn't be written about. I was deferred by Columbia using this essay for my common app, and I'm thinking that that could have factored in to the decision. I know it's sort of late to start a whole new common app essay, but I'd rather have a new one than a one that is not looked in a good light by adcoms. Any suggestions on what I should do?</p>
<p>“Skateboarding” is a pretty general topic… the value of your essay depends on how successful you were in conveying a broader message about who you are through the essay about skating.</p>
<p>There are very few “good topics” or “bad topics.” It’s almost all in the execution.</p>
<p>^^^ yes, it’s all about the execution (barring some taboo subjects like how much u enjoy crack or pedophilia). I’m sure if someone’s life depended on it, a mesmerizing essay could be written about limabeans.</p>
<p>@wilguen My thought is to review your entire Common App, not just the essay. What messages did your entire application convey to admissions? How strongly did you convey to admissions who you are and how can you contribute to its campus? And I agree with the others, it may not necessary be the essay topic but how it was written. </p>
<p>Since Columbia is probably still your first choice, read the following article on what you can do to improve your chance of acceptance:
<a href=“What to Do If You Are Deferred | HuffPost College”>HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost;
<p>Hope this helps. Best of luck! : )</p>