Question about 'being personal' in Common App essay.

College Essays
1

<p>I have two essays that I'm considering submitting for my Common App for Stanford. One is more personal than the other one; I'm wondering, which one is best? What are they really looking for in an essay--one that showcases your writing, or one that speaks about who you are? I understand that the best one will combine them, but otherwise, which one is more preferred?</p>

<p>Here's a list of characteristics. If you're willing to look at the essays themselves and tell me which one is better/give me suggestions, that would be great. I'll PM them to you, if you want. :)</p>

<p>Essay 1, about writing:
- Less personal
- More literary 'flourish,' poetic in nature
- Doesn't tell much about me as a person, but shows how I view details, with a 'poet's mind'</p>

<p>Essay 2, about being a firstborn:
- More personal
- More direct, slightly more 'boring'
- Focuses on the development of my personality in middle school, my realization that being someone did not depend on my grades</p>

<p>Thank you so much!</p>

2

<p>IMO, the strength of an essay is often in the writing. If your first essay is unique and reveals yourself in the writing style, I wouldn’t worry about whether or not it specifically discusses you. Likewise, if the second essay is more revealing, don’t worry about the lack of style. Both have the potential to work. I would recommend getting someone you trust–an English teacher, a counselor, a friend with a penchant for words–to look them over for more specific advise.</p>

<p>You might also consider which essay works best in the context of your application. If the rest of your application hints at your writing prowess, it might be nice to have your essay further highlight that.</p>

3

<p>If you want, I’d read both and tell you which one I think makes a better statement about you.</p>

4

<p>I agree with the above posters. The quality of the essays depend on how you wrote them and not on what the topic is. I can read if you’d like.</p>