<p>I am a junior in high school, and I have numerous essay topics in my head for next year's admissions. The reason why I am posting it so early is for two major reasons. First, I am working at a summer camp the entire summer and then will be flying to England for a semester abroad, and would like to start my essays early. Second, I like to have things done in advance.</p>
<p>I would greatly appreciate any help from people with advice on what essay topic to choose. I have tons of difference possibilities, and would love advice. Thank-you so much. Please, feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>Write about something that'll make you look quirky and lovable; essays that try to sound deep and philosophical often fail unless you're a really, really good writer.</p>
<p>Here are the topics I am currently debating....</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I work as an EMT. My first day on the job I came in contact with a little girl of 5 that was traumatically killed. It was an important day by realizing what really matters in life, etc. I know it is a little cliche. But, walking onto the science of the accident was very instrumental. I am also interested in medicine, etc. So, it would highlight that job, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>During the summer, I work as a camp counselor and the health person at times. There was one night when a group of kids all got stunned by bees. I was the only one there. At 17, I had to care for a group of kids as a kid myself. And then explain to their parents through phone and in person later, what happened and what I did to help them. Leadership potential,etc? Maybe?</p></li>
<li><p>There is a disease that inhibits the patient from feeling pain. I would take about the presence of pain in our life. The reason why I would like to write this essay is that I suffer from chronic migraines since I was 10. The worse part is that there is no medicine in the world that works to cure my migraines. I have taken everything and nothing works at all. My migraines might last for one hour to four days. Some of them are fine, others have put me in the hospital! I also have not really had an easy life (I suppose), constantly ill, a lot of deaths in my family, etc. But, then go into the thing about how without pain...we cant value the times when we arent in pain, etc. My goal is to become a neurosurgeon... maybe showing my interest and knowledge in my planned future and passion might be good. It would also let me touch upon certain events in my life (that are painful) that have made me the person I am today!</p></li>
<li><p>I have been told I have a humanitarian "hook." I have worked as a camp counselor for two summers. Been a girl scout for all of my life. Planned day camps. Worked at possible every hospital and animal place possible. Earned my gold, silver, and bronze award in GS. Additionally, I am even paid to work helping the unprivileged through setting up drives. I have experience working with kids with autism, etc. My volunteer hours are well over 600. I am scheduled to work in Uganda after graduation with HIV/aids vicitms. My goal is to work with Doctors without Borders, etc. The essay would be touching on the importance of helping others, beating apathy, and looking at the things in my life I guess and my plans!</p></li>
<li><p>My happy day when a camper told me I was there favorite counselor. I am not sure if that even counts. But, it made me rather happy!</p></li>
<li><p>I am a very clumsy person. I was personified as falling over in a camp skit many times. A campers favorite memory of camp was me falling out of the canoe trying to rescue someone. It could be a very cute, enjoyable essay.</p></li>
<li><p>I have tons of obsessions. Harry Potter, QUOTES... maybe talking about my obsession with quotes.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>For the title of this thread, you put, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." That might be what you really want to convey.</p>
<p>But, really, I love all of your ideas. Well...maybe except #7.
With all of the incredible experiences you've had, it seems like you would be selling yourself short if you just talked about QUOTES or Harry Potter unless you connected these things to your life.</p>
<p>Everyone wants their essay to be unique, but many people do it the wrong way. Put yourself into the essay. Put your voice into it. Don't try to make more compound sentences or more unorthodox words. </p>
<p>Don't say that you care about people. Describe how you sacrificed your time for them, how you helped them, the things that you did.</p>
<p>Don't say that you're open-minded. Talk about something new you experienced, some place you went, some epiphany.</p>
<p>"Don't tell ** who you are, **show who you are."
I cannot stress this enough. </p>
<p>Wow, your service record is so amazing. Colleges will be fighting each other to get you.</p>
<p>Just from a quick read, I was really intrigued by idea 3. From the way you described it, I think you would do a great job of combining personal experience with your philosophy and thus really showing colleges who you are.</p>
<p>Great ideas overall. You are off to a great start!</p>
<p>If I were an adcom, I probably wouldn't care too much about what applicants did. I'd be much more interested in what applicants thought about what they did. Almost everyone can brag about something cool that they've experienced - what separates the ordinary and the extraordinary is what those people think (and write) about it.</p>
<p>I agree with shades_children. Adcoms read hundreds of essays- and nearly everybody has experienced something tragic or extraordinary. And that "me-me-me-my-life-is-so-sad" stuff can get irritating after a while.</p>
<p>The question is: What are you trying to tell them?
Do you want to show them that you are interested in medicine? Is it about your leadership skills? Is it about your love for children? Do you want to show that you are a responsible person?
You need to have a clear picture of this person you want to show, the clearer the better. </p>
<p>Adcoms can only read so many essays, which describe how motivated and interested you are. So never, never use words like 'motivated' or 'responsible' or 'open'.
Try working around it, and maybe combine your ideas.</p>
<p>I loved #6, where you fell out of your canoe trying to rescue someone. I had to smile a bit, and I had a vivid picture in my mind - a girl, who just has this drive to help somebody - it's cute, and believable.
And it doesn't sound like you are trying to hard to convince them with logical (and, unless you are a really gifted writer, shallow) arguments that you like to help people.</p>
<p>I don't know how you could tackle #5. I'd merge it with #6, because I can't imagine how you'd write an entire essay about it, without using phrases and repeating yourself.</p>
<p>Maybe you could then turn it into something more serious, maybe #4, or #1. The adcoms can read the facts in other parts of your application (working hours, etc), they are not important, in fact #4 could turn out to sound a bit like a laundry list. Sorry.
Important is to develop a deep reasoning- and that takes time.
You have that time - and it is important.
Write your essays, leave them alone for a few weeks (that was the best tip I got) and then rewrite them.</p>
<p>And do excuse my horrible grammar, as I am not native :-)
Claire</p>
<p>Thank-you so much Clarie and everyone else. I looked at that link, and it was wonderful. I understand exactly what you are saying. All of my hours and plans will be in my resume and everything else. And, I think that I was trying hard to write the essay that I thought they wanted to hear. I think that this essay would be a lot better. I can actually truly and completely write that essay, because it is 100% who I am and I think it relates to a lot of other aspects. I try my hardest, yet things happened. Thanks! I think I will probably go with the canoe experience. It was a highlight of my summer. Thanks for everyone's advice!</p>
<p>I know this post is from a while ago! but I just wanted to add:</p>
<p>I wrote my commonapp essay this year on quotes, my obsession with them, and belief that they can help people. With this, I tied in a hobby of mine to relate these life changing quotes to everyday lives. I'd suggest, tying in one of your experiences with a quote-hook or using a quote as an overall message while portraying your experience. And yes, fully agree with everyone else! Show, don't tell!</p>