<p>My D has written her common app essay. She is quite intent on avoiding something cliche (e.g. a struggle then success in a sport or an "aha moment" at church camp or on a trip to Europe). Her essay is a well written, entertaining, 700 words about a social group she is in at school. It is fun and unique. About half of it conveys who spends time with and why and what she finds fun at high school. It reflects the "lighter" side of her well, but seems somewhat trivial to me. I have given her a "How to write a good essay" article from the school and suggested that she shift the emphasis of the piece so that it is less about the group and more about her. She has read the Baum essay book. D needs to be the captain of this journey, but I am worried that this main essay fails to illustrate the studious, diligent, driven side of her. I will insist that her counselor read it and comment. Beyond that, please advise. Perhaps this exercise is practice in letting go...</p>
<p>Hmmmm. This is a tough one, but I went the letting go route with all of my children. I will have three in college in the fall, and besides a read for grammatical errors, I did not comment on the topic. I figured they were the ones applying to college, not me, and that the topic they chose represented them. I wanted the school to want them for who they were, not for who I wanted them to be or how I wanted them to present themselves. For my children, it worked. They all got into their first choice schools and they all are very happy.</p>
<p>I would assume that the studious, diligent side of her will be reflected in her recommendations and her grades. The essay is about the only place that they can see the “lighter side,” so I personally wouldn’t worry about that. As long as she’s being “insightful” and not trivial about what she finds fun and who she likes to hang out with, I think she’ll be fine.</p>
<p>The best essay is the one she thinks speaks for her. I have been hands off with my kids and didn’t see many of the essays. It seemed to work out.</p>
<p>I think it’s probably fine. For my younger son, the Common App EC essay actually ended up showing his more studious and intellectual side while the main essay was more lighthearted. You don’t always have to say “I am like this” sometimes how you talk about other people will show what you are like. I’d look at the total application and try to figure out if the school will get the full picture.</p>
<p>The rest of her resume will more than show her diligence and hard work - the essays show who she is and provide the balance many schools want to see.</p>
<p>That said I didn’t see any of my Daughter’s essays until after acceptances rolled in - I knew what she was capable of and I wanted it to be true to her voice. I also doubt any of her “no” responses were not based on the essay and if they were we figure it still wasn’t a school for her.</p>
<p>My inclination is to let her run with it with no more input from me. She is very independent and it is her application. She does feel strongly about having a fun and social part of her life, so I do think she has picked a topic that she feels rings true. You are correct to remind me that the rest of her application will reflect her more studious, athletic, etc. side. Sincere appreciation for your thoughtful and helpful comments.</p>
<p>There is no way to tell what essay will work and what won’t. My older daughter spent a good deal of time writing her essay for EA to Yale during the initial crashing of the market in 2008 which meant my husband was not home very much. This was good as it meant he couldn’t “annoy” her about it. She had emailed it to my sister (English teacher) strictly for technical corrections not content thoughts. I never saw it. The weekend before she’s ready to send the whole package in my husband asks to read it and tells her that maybe she should do this instead, or that, or whatever. She blew up like I’d never seen since she was two years old. </p>
<p>The two of them were miserable for weeks over this essay, what a mess, as if the tension over her other applications wasn’t enough her dream school and ego were relying on this essay. Of course I had to hear from each of them separately which made me crazy.</p>
<p>End result - she was admitted into every academic school to which she applied (she was only rejected at some audition schools) and most of them had the essay her father was certain wasn’t right.</p>
<p>It’s hers, let her own it, no matter how much it hurts!</p>
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<p>It sounds like a winner to me.</p>
<p>As everyone here knows, I have strong opinions on essays, but I agree with post #2 (momfirst3) above. When I read my kid’s major essay, it did not fit ANY of the formulas I was looking for. But it was his voice coming through loud and clear, and in the end, I too - except for a very few grammar edits - just smiled and gave it back to him.</p>
<p>My son wrote his essay and I just love it. His essay is very intellectual and you hear my son’s voice. Only concern is if colleges like more liberal view points, and more emotional reactions in the essay, but I think the most important thing is that my son gets his acceptances based upon accepting him as he is, not trying to get him to write in a manner that colleges might prefer. He is putting his essay aside for a few days, and then he will read it again in case he wants to edit it further. I prefer not to fuss about the essay and let my son feel good about his creation.</p>