<p>If I write an essay on how an experience has made me live each day to the fullest, is that too cliche?
Also, what topics have you guys wrote about and that allowed you to be accepted into whatever college?
and what specific topics do you see too many students write about?</p>
<p>Depends on the experience. If you almost died in a horrific car crash, survived cancer, or something similar, then it could be a good essay.</p>
<p>Otherwise...not so much.</p>
<p>I've read many student essays that have ended with the claim that because of a certain experience the writer now "lives each day to the fullest" (including ones in which the writer's life was genuinely in danger). I think they've all flopped--this is because the concept of "living each day to the fullest" is vague and the writers usually don't try to elaborate on how their new philosophy has played out in their actual lives. It comes across as an empty statement, something we always say after tragedy has struck. If you can be very specific and concrete about how you've changed, if you can prove it to the reader, it could work well. But if you don't have examples to back up statements about how you've changed, I'd advise against that approach.</p>
<p>can I write about how an experience has opened my eyes to realize the importance of everyday? It's more of an eye opening experience rather than a life-changing incident.</p>
<p>Look at published UChicago essays here (pay particular attention from the CC-ers who claimed admittance)
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=164537%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=164537</a></p>
<p>Look at Tufts' "Essays That Matter" here
<a href="http://admissions.tufts.edu/?pid=148%5B/url%5D">http://admissions.tufts.edu/?pid=148</a></p>
<p>Notice that the vast majority deal with really simple, some would say trivial, topics, without any grandstanding, using very simple language. However, most of them really sound like they were written by a 17-year old, and tell you something about the author. Often the "something" is very, very ordinary.</p>
<p>Bottom line is, avoid the "eye opening" topics, ask yourself "if I did not have to go to school or write essays, what would I be doing with most of my time?", then write about that.</p>
<p>blondie--</p>
<p>An essay about realizing the importance of the everyday has the same kind of issues. Again, it can work as long as you're very specific and detailed about how you've realized the importance of the everyday. But stay away from very general, sweeping statements and cliches. Don't actually say "I now realize the importance of the everyday."</p>