Is recycling essays a good idea?

Hi, I was planning on using my Stanford essay (about my favourite photo) for Common App, until I read another thread on this forum where people discouraged doing that. They said adcoms might think that I don’t care about their school as much, if they can recognize that a prompt that is pretty unique to another rival school. Opinions on 1) if the photo essay is good for common app and 2) if it’s ok if it’s recognizable? Merry Christmas!

<p>theres nothing wrong with recycling essays if the essay is good...the photo idea could definitely work for the common app because it is original...but it has to be more about you, less about the photo.</p>

<p>Whoever said that recognizeable prompts may lead adcoms to think you don't care about their school has a valid point...but i really think it is rare for an essay to be THAT recognizable...so don't worry....just make your essay good.</p>

<p>I wouldn't do it if I were you...</p>

<p>For the reasons that the posters in the other thread gave?</p>

<p>bigjake- I am actually a little worried that my essay focuses too much on the photo and not on me. Hmm. decisions, decisions.</p>

<p>Because other major colleges are likely to recognize Stanford's essay prompt, yes.</p>