<p>For Option 1 (pick a risk you have taken, ethical dilemma, etc...) on the common app, I chose to write about a club I joined this year that helps special education students develop social skills. (PM me if you want to read it, even though it's not finished :P)</p>
<p>Now I'm considering writing about hockey instead, since I've played for most of my life and think they might like to see that "hook" or kind of dedication to my special interests.</p>
<p>But only a couple days left until the deadline...yikes. So I'm not sure what to do now.</p>
<p>Thoughts? Opinions? Let me hear em!</p>
<p>I think you should stick to option 1, for several reasons:</p>
<p>a) Admissions officers read TONS of essays about sports and other activities already featured in applications. Option 1 provides a refreshing change.
b) If you wrote the essay well, and weren't glib, it is probably a touching piece that will humanize you to the adcom. Once you become more than just numbers and lists, you stand out and get remembered by your file readers.
c) You already started it! The deadline is fast approaching, and you can't really afford to switch canoes mid-stream, so to speak. Work with what you've got, and you'll end up with a great essay.</p>
<p>PM me if you want me to proofread your essay, btw.</p>
<p>Hmm yeah that makes sense. I was afraid the whole "community service do-gooder" angle would be overplayed more than sports, so that was why I had my doubts.</p>
<p>And PM'ed. :)</p>
<p>I would go with the first one, too. Just from your post, it seems like it's the "fresher" one that you actually want to write about.</p>
<p>I had similar problems at least three times with my essays, trying out different topics, trying to analyze which TOPIC would showcase me the best. But I've learned that it's not the topic as much as the content... So in a way, no one can tell you which topic is better. Only you can really tell which topic will reveal most character, etc. You can PM me your essay if you want but I won't be able to give close edits... just general stuff.</p>
<p>Any help is good help... PM'ed :)</p>