Is synesthesia a decent topic for a common app essay?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

Hi everyone :slight_smile: I’m a junior and have been looking at the 2015-16 common app essay that I will have to write when applying to schools in the fall. I think I might be interested in writing the first prompt:

“Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

I have grapheme-color synesthesia. This means that every letter of the alphabet and every number has a color in my head, as well as words. I was wondering if an essay about how it influences my memory and studies, etc. would be a good essay or a weak one? I’m really not sure what types of essays schools are looking for. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks so much.

2

I think it’s a good topic.
Go for it!

3

thanks!

4

bump

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bump

6

My daughter wrote about her synesthesia for the common app. She was accepted by HYPSM, even though she did not believe that the essay was the main reason.

7

Thank you! Everyone I have asked seems to think it’s an interesting, unique topic, so I think I’m going to write about it. :slight_smile:

8

I think it’s a great topic! I just read an essay on this topic and it was a good/interesting read. http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/what-is-synesthesia-and-whats-it-like-to-have-it

9

Thanks SouthernHope! Yeah, I have the letter and number color one, I’ve taken the test linked in the article :slight_smile: I love researching about it. I feel like I may have some other forms of synesthesia too, because it’s something that I never paid attention to until I read about it.