<p>I'm trying to write about this prompt for the University of Southern California:</p>
<p>Thomas Edison failed many times before successfully inventing the modern electric light bulb. He said, If I find 10,000 ways something wont work, I havent failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward. Reflect on an accomplishment you achieved in an unlikely way.</p>
<p>But the thing that throws me off is the "unlikely" part. What do they mean? Because Thomas Edison accomplished his goal by doing a likely thing - trying over and over again. I was thinking about talking about how I overcame my bad asthma by joining the swim team and even though I was really bad, I got an award for most improved. And after just 2 years (right now), I'm going to be on varsity. Is this an "unlikely" way of overcoming my asthma? Does it fit the prompt? Or are they asking about a way to achieve an UNLIKELY accomplishment, but not necessarily in an unlikely way.
I guess it's the Thomas Edison quote that throws me off because it didn't seem like he accomplished his goal in any unlikely way. I think I may just be overthinking it? What do other 09ers think?</p>
<p>Sorry, this post was quite long. But thanks in advance for the help!!! =) And gluck to all 09ers!</p>
<p>The word 'overthinking it' came to my mind long before you said it yourself. Your initial response to the prompt is good. But I would not want that to be the only thing I wrote about myself. If you have other places to talk about more academic ideas, then this is a good one. If not then you might want to work a few more things in. But your idea has value in itself, as an exercise whether you use it or not, see where it takes you.</p>
<p>The prompt is just try to elicit one way to talk about yourself.</p>
<p>baby doll,
The prompts were listed in the SC forum. This may be incorrect, but I thought there were a couple of choices for essay topics. Perhaps the other topic might be better for you to select.</p>
<p>thanks. so i guess ill use my story. i wanted to use this prompt particularly because I felt that my UC essay (the swimming one) was really good and i would like to reuse it. i'm too lazy to rewrite it. i hope USC really isnt strict about the responses to their prompts... thanks!</p>
<p>usc can tell if u use your uc essays. not fond of that haha</p>
<p>other than that i think the story you have is good.
i chose the same prompt.</p>
<p>i wrote about my whole struggle coming out as a gay lebanese muslim.
wanted to let them know i wasnt white haha
whites have to apply as middle eastern but they have a spot for every type of asian
ridiculous</p>
<p>i meant middle easterners have to apply as white**</p>