<p>For the common app I am thinking about doinf #5 (about your transition to adulthood). I want to make it different and personal so I was thinking about writing how im not an adult yet and how I think my entire life is going to be the transition. Ik it sounds kinda cliche but I was going to talk about my hospice volunteering and what ive learned from the dying people I got the opportunity to visit with. I would talk about how I dont want to ever reach adulthood and be grown up because if theres one thing I learned from them, its that theres always room to grow. Is this super cliche/risky since it basically goes against the prompt? Thanks!</p>
<p>I think this is very risky but at the same time, I think if you’re a good writer, it would definitely be an awesome and original essay to read! I like the overlying theme you have of ‘there’s always room to grow’ but if you choose to do this, put a lot of time into it to make it really great and be careful with the way in which you write it. I still have some years before I apply but I’m thinking, if I was an admissions officer, that’s what I would tell you. 
Good luck!!</p>
<p>It sounds cliche from where I’m sitting, but don’t worry about violating the prompt. The prompt is stupid.</p>
<p>Ok thanks for the responses! Anyone else?</p>
<p>Bump 10 char</p>
<p>I would skip this topic. It is hard to put a twist and there is a slight chance it may work if you are an extremely creative writer. But the first thing that comes to my mind is your saying you dont want to grow up. And the topic is depressing, to be honest.</p>
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<p>I agree with fall2016parent. The approach you plan on taking is not appropriate, as Admissions officers are reading your essay for clues to your “character.” That’s an old fashioned word, it means the way you develop your inner qualities: intellectual passion, maturity, social conscience, concern for community, tolerance, and inclusiveness. What does your approach say about you? I want to be “Peter Pan” and avoid growing up, because once I start, I’ll never be able to stop? That’s not a reason that’s going to get you accepted into the college of your choice! On the other hand, writing about lessons that you have learned (and really taken to heart) from caring for the dying – that might make for an interesting and heartfelt topic (think Kuber-Ross). But, I’d skip the part about never wanting to grow up. That doesn’t speak to your maturity level nor your intellectual passion.</p>
<p>Ok thanks for the imout. I guess I didnt mean it in a childish way dayibg I dont want to grow up, but more explaining that I don’t consider myself an adult because I feel like the transition is a lifelong thing built up of various lessons you learn as you go through life. Idk I feel like im not explaining it good haha but ya I get what you guys are saying</p>
<p>But the transition to adulthood is not a lifelong thing and it sounds immature to imagine so. I think you are getting adulthood confused with wanting to always grow as a person and to confuse the concepts isn’t a good idea. Of course you don’t feel like an adult now, but the prompt is looking for some incident or circumstance which caused you to mature toward adulthood in your outlook and behavior. Maybe it is this work and your realizations. Try to write it and see how it comes out.</p>
<p>“Different and personal” are not what gets you into college. Clear thinking and personal strengths that matter are always a safer bet. </p>
<p>If the idea is confused and getting this sort of feedback, see if there is another way to use the hospice experience. Don’t overthink it. And remember, “show, not tell.” I keep repeating that because if you can think that way- what shows my vision, compassion, flexible thinking, maturity, whatever- then the task is simplified.</p>
<p>OP, if you can’t even explain it, skip the topic. Admission officers may either get the wrong impression about you or confuse your paper with an ambient sleeping pill. :)</p>
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<p>That sounds bad, or at least your phrasing does. It’s okay to say you don’t ever want to stop learning, but that’s not the same as saying you never want to grow up.</p>
<p>I think you would be much better off describing one specific person/event from the hospice and how they had an impact on you.</p>
<p>Ok I think im guna start over and not do this! Lol so if I wana write about my hospice volunteering as an example of this transition, what would be a good intro? </p>
<p>Also I was thinking of putting in the reason I did hospice (my grandpa was very sick for a long time) but should I add this, and if so in the intro?</p>
<p>Sorry I guess im just confused cuz I cant think of how to start my paper and a good first sentence! Any help would be aaammmaazing</p>
<p>Just start writing your thoughts down. You don’t need to pick what will be the first sentence at this time, you will do that when you edit and rewrite the thoughts that you get out. I often find that I discard the entire first paragraph because it is just filler getting the juices flowing and the real first sentence ends up being the first sentence of the second paragraph. That skips the buildup and gets to the story. Just get some thoughts out and tell about what you are doing and why, it should be easy to relate your grandfather dying and hospice work to a transitional time when you were matured by the experience and insights you had.</p>
<p>Ok thanks, I just have to think of what quality I learned through doing the volunteer work that I would talk about makes me an adult. Thanks!</p>