<p>Hi guys. My question is simple: I like running, it's my passion. I run everyday 10 kilometrs. It doesn't matter if it's winter or summer, I always run in the morning. I participate in some maraphons in my country (I'm international). But I don't do it on the professional level, just do to be healthy. Is it worhty to write about in Commonapp essay as my extracurricular activity?</p>
<p>Thank you, Askar96</p>
<p>Not really. I mean unless you overcame some obstacle to run, or running has some symbolic or metaphorical meaning to you, the essay sounds kind of bland.</p>
<p>Agree-would you want to read an entire essay about someone else’s workout? Unless you are an athletic recruit, I think you are better off finding a more academic topic.</p>
<p>Lol, I hope so…my Common App essay is most likely going to be about the first time I dyed my hair.
I think it depends more on how well-written it is than anything else. I mean, I don’t really want to hear about how someone “overcame an obstacle,” at least not in those words.</p>
<p>But it’s said “extracurricular”, I can’t find anything related between dyed hair and extracurricular activity? Could someone explain me what exactly it wants me to write?</p>
<p>Thank you, Askar96</p>
<p>I mean I should about my one EC or something else?</p>
<p>Write about whatever defines who you are. Sometimes, mundane topics make for a great essay, depending on how you portray it. You do not need to show how you overcame an obstacle. Just make it very personal and avoid cliches.</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses 
Anyway could you explain what does it mean “Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below (1000 character maximum).”? What should I write about? About extracurricular or something defines me?</p>
<p>Thank you, Askar96</p>
<p>“I can’t find anything related between dyed hair and extracurricular activity?”</p>
<p>Oh, I thought you were talking about the 500-word Common App essay where you choose one of the prompts.
And I think that’s what other people think as well, or they wouldn’t be telling you to write about metaphors and obstacles. </p>
<p>For the extracurricular essay, I think you’re supposed to write about one of the extracurriculars you listed in the spaces they give you. Most people pick more “organized” activities to write about…but if going to a club meeting once a week and doing nothing is worth writing about, then I imagine it’s okay to write about how you run as a hobby.</p>
<p>My kid wrote about swimming and it worked for him. I think the point would more be to hinge the essay on an interesting metaphor or subtle point-of-view that the readers in the admissions office might look at and say “Now that’s cool. I’ve never heard anyone describe it like that before.”</p>
<p>Thanks
'rentof2# may I ask you: did your kid have some awards or achievments? Or it was just like hobby?</p>
<p>I think running is a perfectly acceptable topic for the prompt you describe. Just be sure to do it in an interesting way. If this really is your passion, that should come through in the essay.</p>
<p>Thank you for your feedbacks. Anymore advices/opinions?</p>
<p>My guess is no one has a perfect answer for your question about common app essay. I would suggest to read something like this for inspirations:
[Writing</a> a Successful College Application Essay (Barron’s Writing a Successful College Application Essay): George Ehrenhaft: 9780764136375: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Successful-College-Application-Barrons/dp/0764136372]Writing”>http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Successful-College-Application-Barrons/dp/0764136372)</p>
<p>My kid spent a lot of time reading it before composing his own essays. It turned out he got into his first choice schools.</p>
<p>Do you all realize this is a teenager who has run MARATHONS? As in 26.2 miles? That is indeed an accomplishment. When you are a long distance runner, you have a lot of time to think. What do you think about while you run all those miles, Askar? I think this essay is a great chance to talk about the discipline required to train for and run marathons, and also use it as glimpse inside your mind by telling us your thoughts when you run. (Relevant note: I am also a marathon runner, but I’m also an adult. I can’t imagine having done it when I was 17 or 18 years old.)</p>
<p>Choose whatever topic allows you to write your most personal, detailed/specific, and revealing essay. The essay that is so much like you that no one else could write it.</p>
<p>If that topic is your running, go for it!</p>
<p>if you write it well anything mundane can be interesting.</p>
<p>Write about something special or something you want the admission officers to know about you</p>