<p>So I'm working on my essays for both the common application and the Princeton supplement, and I was wondering... </p>
<p>Does the admissions committee prefer that the themes of the two essays (common app and supplemental, that is) differ? Both of my essays carry the theme of conquering personal adversity to become a stronger, more mature individual. </p>
<p>Although the topics of the essays differ, the underlying message does not. Both are seriously written and very personal. Is this okay? Or do I need to make one of the two essays more lighthearted/humorous? I'm better at writing seriously than humorously, by the way.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input.</p>
<p>I know it mentions something about not repeating the common app, in part or in whole. I don’t know if this applies to themes though. Giving two diverse essays will probably provide a broader picture of you as a person, but I can’t say for sure.</p>
<p>It’s a personal judgement call, as we cannot see them. If the topics are different, it’s good. To me it would be better to have two completely different messages, though. I am applying this year as well. One of my essays was serious and showed change, and the other was a humorous observation, just so you know that I don’t actually have “proof” of my ideas.</p>
<p>I think two serious essays are fine, just make sure that the underlying messages in them give a broad picture of you.</p>
<p>Okay, they’re very different so I should be okay. I just know that many strong applicants have one serious essay and another humorous (like you Engineerjw), but hopefully mine will be fine.</p>