<p>I'm currently brainstorming my essay topics for next year, when I plan to apply to Northwestern, UChicago, Yale, Wesleyan, Brandeis, and one or two others. My "specialties" are writing and Spanish. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>Main essay: about an article I wrote in 10th grade about the program for teenage moms at my school. In it I plan to talk about stereotypes of the moms changing blah blah blah, but mostly about two things: one, how I struggled to effectively portray the brilliant women I spoke to and how the effort made me a better writer, and, in the beginning, about how a moment when I started speaking Spanish with one of the moms completely broke the ice between all of us and was a total turning point in the interviews.</p>
<p>I'm also thinking about a supplementary piece that's more humerous, about the first novel I wrote at 9, which was terrible, but how into it I was and how it inspired me later on etc. </p>
<p>What are your suggestions? Does the supplementary topic sound too arrogant? Should I focus one one aspect of the teenage mom story, either the Spanish moment or the struggle with my writing? Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>The topic of an essay is not the main thing. Any topic can make for a great essay, any topic can make for terrible essay.</p>
<p>The main thing is that your essay should be highly personal, specific, honest, revealing. Ideally, even enlightening. Whatever topic can elicit that degree of personal authenticity and meaningfulness in your writing is a topic you should use.</p>
<p>I really like your main topic. I think that both parts (the experience, as well as the writing) are important to the story. The experience aspect will show the depth of your perspective, making you seem involved and in tune with the world, while sharing a touching story. The writing of the article will highlight your passion for writing, as well as showing your dedication and work ethic. Blend both aspects in. </p>
<p>Your secondary topic is cute and light-hearted, which is a good idea, since your other one is pretty serious. But it might benefit you more to find another aspect of your personality to share. Your main essay already focuses on writing - you don't want it to seem like that's all there is to you. A light-hearted topic is good..you're on the right track, but something unrealated to writing might be better.</p>
<p>The topic of an essay is not the main thing. Any topic can make for a great essay, any topic can make for terrible essay.</p>
<p>The main thing is that your essay should be highly personal, specific, honest, revealing. Ideally, even enlightening. Whatever topic can elicit that degree of personal authenticity and meaningfulness in your writing is a topic you should use.</p>