<p>I want to write my essay on writing. I write in my own free time and I think I can bring across my love for writing in my essay. However, I am not a writer for my high school's newspaper or anything of the sort. Since my passion would not show through in my extracurriculars (although my recommendation letters and grades reflect my passion for writing), do you think colleges would hold this against me?</p>
<p>I don’t think so. The application essays are about conveying personality, traits not shown on other parts of the application. Its not about showing accomplishments directly, although you can use an experience or accomplishment to show your personality.</p>
<p>It’s been said many times, but it bears repeating: show, don’t tell. “I have developed a lifelong love for writing, and is provides an outlet for my natural creativity” is a bad way to write in a college essay. </p>
<p>You might talk about the sense of power and satisfaction you get from writing: “I am a god. I create whole worlds, transplanting them from my mind into a medium that can be experienced by all. Grand landscapes, unique characters, remarkable instances of courage–all are created by applying pen to paper, the blue ink permeating the page as the stories permeate my mind.”</p>
<p>The idea is to show personality and passion.</p>
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<p>I lol’d. </p>
<p>OP, if you have literally no related ECs–no publications, awards, or a manuscript/portfolio you created in your spare time–I’d avoid discussing it. I don’t entirely agree with the above poster’s “Don’t talk about ECs” advice, but it’s not an EC in your situation.</p>