Is this topic too cliche??

College Essays
1

<p>I go to a small Jewish school that does not encourage their students to attend college outside of the Jewish ones. That being said, we don't even have a guidance counselor. :-/ I've been doing a lot of research about colleges online, but I'm hitting dead ends. I'm stuck on a topic for my essay and while I understand that it IS possible to write an excellent essay out of a cliche topic, I'd rather avoid it. So, which topics are best avoided? Any opinions on the following topic? I plan on applying to top schools and I want to become a doctor (possibly pediatric oncologist), so this is definitely something I feel connected to.</p>

<p>I joined a bike tour and fundraised for an organization that helps children with cancer and other illnesses. We were supposed to bike 78 miles up to the sleepaway camp for these children, but we got rained out and only biked the last 24 miles. I was thinking of writing about "The beauty of plan B" and what we experienced when we biked into the camp anyway and these children were waiting for us and how we danced and cried in the pouring rain and about the pure joy and happiness that we saw on the faces of these children. It honestly was a life changing experience, but I feel like too many people write about their ECs. Opinions? Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Sounds like a wonderful topic. What you need to avoid are generalizations, so focus on a particular conversation with one child or one student your age. And remember, the children are not applying to college – you are. So, your essay needs to talk about YOUR feelings (not theirs) – and there needs to be more to it than “because of the pure joy and happiness that we saw on the faces of these children” – that is too general. Specificity is the key to a great essay. If your essay could be written by someone else, then you need to find another topic.</p>

3

<p>just because it is an EC doesn’t make it cliche</p>

<p>it sounds like a unique experience for you. just don’t be like “oh these poor children with cancer made me realize how lucky we are”</p>

<p>i think its a great idea to focus on your experience with one specific child that can convey your feelings for the whole group.</p>

4

<p>The first one doesn’t seem cliche.</p>

5

<p>I agree with everything that’s been said. Not to be redundant, but I, too, feel that it isn’t too cliche as long as you don’t focus on how life changing meeting cancer patients was. Definitely focus on your reactions.</p>