Is there a topic that's TOO weird?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>I realize that I need to avoid the cliches (sport, volunteer, etc) so I'm going to talk about a hobby or something I honestly enjoy doing. However it doesn't show me as very academic or community-oriented. In other words, a typical essay would be easy to show how I'm smart, organized, hardworking and all of those values that are supposed to impress adcom but writing about a hobby is more unique</p>

<p>which one is better in your opinion?</p>

<p>*I'm sorry for the confusing wording but hopefully some of you get what I mean</p>

2

<p>Write about a hobby. If you have good grades, they’ll see them anyway, you don’t have to repeat yourself academically in your essays.</p>

3

<p>Agree…if the hobby is something that shows intellectual curiosity. If the hobby is something silly, then you are wasting space that is designed to help you tell your story.</p>

4

<p>It’s not cliche topics, but cliche answers that should be avoided. But, what question is this thread about? A short answer about a significant activity or the big personal statement? The point is to reveal more about you than the rest of the app can- and the personal qualities adcoms seek.</p>

5

<p>Take whatever “subject” you are writing about- and make sure it makes up less than 5 to 10% of your essay. Expand it into a personal account of self exploration; express how using whatever topic you’re writing about, you’ve found a way to better yourself, know more about yourself, more about the world. Teach the adcom something.</p>