I want to write my essay on my love for reading that I’ve had since I was a young age. I know that a lot of people do their essay on this, but reading is a big part of my life (I read about 100 books a year) and a twist would be for me to maybe talk about my bookstagram (an Instagram account I started where I edit and share pics of books). What do you guys think?
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I’d say it depends on where you are applying, as to whether it makes a difference.
Generally, if it is well written and about YOU, it can be a positive. Unless, of course, if is about winning or losing the state championship game…
It is a topic that can be done badly (This year I read 100 books, including the following, and list them), but lots of kids are successful with this topic.
You’re a high school student. You aren’t expected to be writing about how you cured cancer in your homemade-in-your-own-backyard-out-of-recycled-plastic-straws helicopter while delivering relief supplies to refugees, while taking 20 AP classes etc.
Some schools may look at 100 books a year as really impressive, while others will think you’re going to fit in well with a lot of their other students. Be careful that you don’t write it as a warning, an indication that you’re a psychotic introvert who cannot interact with kids their own age. 
If it means a lot to you, then write about it, in your own voice, and make sure that at the end, the essay is about you, and less about the books.
It can be done well, but you need to be careful that it doesn’t come off as though you are trying too hard to impress the reader…
Among some of the very fine “essays that worked” that Johns Hopkins shares each year, there are two very good examples of students from the class of 2019 who showed – but did not tell – how books and reading shaped their outlook on life. The first, entitled “Shelves 1 through 5,” concerns itself with a bookcase, its contents organized somewhat chronologically, that reflects back on the writer who is yet to fill in the top shelf. The second, entitled "The Red Room, "written by a student named Brontë, talks about how and and why her namesake’s novel, Jane Eyre, is her favorite book by highlighting life events that correlated with each reading of the novel.
If books are an important part of your story and you can create a narrative through them, go ahead. Just make sure that the essay is about YOU and not your favorite author.
@3puppies @LoveTheBard thank you!!
It sounds good, colleges admission officers want to hear about passions, show up yourself, since you started as a kid.
You’ll be great.
Good luck.
@Gatordad2021 thank you!
I like it. Throw in some fun light statement, maybe referencing a book, to make it pop.
@collegeready33: This can be an excellent topic for college admissions applications essays.
I like it! One of my fondest memories was going to the old Austin Public Library every week with my mom. We would stay there for hours. When she, my sister, and I went to doctor’s appointments, we always got comments about how the three of us were seated in a row, all reading intently to ourselves. I can’t wait to visit the brand new library in Austin next month.
Good luck with your essay - I agree that putting in some fun details would work well. Paint a picture.
@ilovebillyjoel @Publisher @MaineLonghorn thank you all!
I like it. It sounds authentic to me. In your post you sound sincere about your love for books and reading which makes me believe your essay will be sincere too. One theme that comes to mind to me is “the places books have taken you.” In only 650 words could you bring your reader on a journey of where you’ve gone with books or who you have met? I agree with the poster who mentions making sure you don’t come across as an introvert. Has your instagram account brought you social interactions with like-minded people? Are you in book clubs? Do you find yourself discussing books with random strangers at the book store?
There are so many options with this topic that it’s endless. I also find it refreshing from the extreme video gaming that your generation often engages in. Books are so much more interesting!