<p>Write about something meaningful to you and try to express your truest feelings in the essay. Don’t try to make it fit what you think someone is looking for. The manufactured essays are easy to spot. My two essays were simple: one about how much I just enjoyed preparing for a regional instrumental band competition and another about how I betrayed the trust of a good friend yet recovered our friendship. Nothing earth-shattering – but truly reflected my view of the world at that time. I was admitted to all schools applied with these. Going back and reading them (after many years), I can see the “genuine” voice of that 17 year old.</p>
<p>You don’t need to strive for “originality” if you’re truly writing about your own life experience.</p>