Is there any place in an app where I can write about anything?

College Essays
1

Hi. I’ll be honest: I know next to nothing about applications. But, I am learning.

I looked at the Common App topics, and some other random college’s ones too, and they are all really stupid in my opinion. If colleges want to see our personality, they should give us a free category to really show what we are passionate about and why we want to pursue our ambitions.

Is there any place in any application that allows you to do that?

There is no room for creative writing what so ever. I had a perfect essay in mind for colleges, showing why I want to be there and how passionate I am, but there is no way that I can incorporate what I had in mind into any of these prompts.

This isn’t my idea in the slightest, but it was as if I wanted to study animals and I was writing about how studying animals could reveal more about the nature of humans and how we could all learn from them. How animals are more than just a warm body, how they almost have a culture of their own and how they are the earth in a living form. Animals are the connection between humans and the planet that we inhabit.

Again, that’s not my idea, but it is similar.

I feel like that shows character more than basically “describe a challenge in your life and how you overcame it.”

If someone wants to be a writer, they should write about how words can change someone’s perspective on life. If someone wants to be an artist, they should write about how painting translates pure imagination onto a canvas.

These, to me, really show someone’s true personality.

I am really just repeating myself and ranting at this point. But, is there any way that we can do this?

2

Sorry if there is a really obvious answer. I just started learning about college apps and I feel like there should be an option, I just haven’t found it yet. Thanks :slight_smile:

3

Actually those are pretty great questions with broad room to maneuver within them. Just think like a politician. Ever notice how, no matter what they’re asked, politicians will say exactly what they want to say? They just use a transition and then spin it so they can have their say. You’ve got a lot of places to say what you want. Just think it out.

For instance:

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.”

You do something like this:
"I’ve loved animals ever since Fuzzy Wuzzy the hamster came into my life. (Talk all about Fuzzy Wuzzy and how she was your best buddy at a difficult time in your life as you struggled with X, inspired you to ultimately become a shelter volunteer or raise 10 hamsters or something, and then move into what you want to say.)
"As I became more involved with animals at the shelter, I realized how studying animals could reveal more about the nature of humans and how we could all learn from them. How animals are more than just a warm body, how they almost have a culture of their own and how they are the earth in a living form. Animals are the connection between humans and the planet that we inhabit.
“(Talk all about your passion for studying animals and then sum it up by returning to dear old Fuzzy Wuzzy.)”

I’m being glib here, obviously, and it might or might not work depending on how you structure the essay and support what you have to say. But the other questions have ways to discuss your animal ideas too (or whatever you really want to talk about) within the context of your own life and experiences. Those are good questions and you can do a lot with them. I’m pretty happy to see that the Common App really does give free rein for applicants to show their interests and personalities and make links between who they are and what they want to learn. These aren’t meant to be a detached objective essay; the colleges want to know you as a person and how you came to your ideas.

So just be creative! Good luck, you can do it :slight_smile:

4

Great way to put it Momon, I’m stealing that.

5

Thank you so much!