<p>I am slightly confused about the essay for the Harvard application supplement.</p>
<p>The supplement reads:
[quote]
Occasionally, students feel that college application forms do not provide a sufficient opportunity to convey important information about themselves or their accomplishments. If there is something you would like us to know, please inform us below. If you wish to include an additional essay, you may do so.</p>
<p>Possible Topics:
- Unusual circumstances in your life
- Travel or living experiences in other countries
- Books that have affected you the most
- An academic experience (course, project, paper, or research topic) that has meant the most to you
- A list of the books you have read during the past twelve months
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Are these "possible topics" suggestions, or are they selections from which you must specifically choose? </p>
<p>In other words, I don't particularly like these "possible topics," because I don't think they would convey what I want colleges to know about me. Would it be acceptable to write an essay on a topic of my choice?</p>
<p>since topic of your choice is listed as a possibilty for the compulsory essay, i'd guess and say you should select one of those topics... maybe write abrief mail to them, just to be sure</p>
<p>Sorry to hijack your thread, but I had the same question....Has anyone here actually asked the admissions office about this before?</p>
<p>Thanks for the offer Admiral...the essay I was considering using centers on my intellectual passions, but not from the point of view of the "academic experiences" mentioned in the supplement.</p>
<p>I wrote about the relationship I have with my father for my supplement essay...It wasnt one of the "possible topics" and it didn't seem to be an issue. I would agree that these are just suggestions.</p>
<p>I wouldnt. If your essay clearly conveys what you want them to know about you and has a title, why do you need to define it with a topic? It seems a little redundant.</p>
<p>hooray_47: That sounds like a good topic, though if you were more specific I could suggest more. If you PM me the essay or the intro I'd be happy to look it over.</p>
<p>I'd also recommend against putting the topic at the top of the essay. If it's a topic that's obscure or unclear (like, say, University of Chicago's "How do you feel about string?" topics), it's not right for this essay.</p>
<p>A good essay topic would be about an extracurricular you do, or a class you really loved, or something like that. They're giving you the chance with this essay to tell something that you weren't able to fit in the rest of the application.</p>
<p>what if I want to tell them more than one thing that have nothing to do with each other? should I still write and essay? two? or just list them?</p>