<p>So the common app gives 6 choices, the sixth one being your own topic. In a selective process such as Harvard's, would it be more beneficial to pick out of the first 5 topics or to pick option 6? Does it make a difference?</p>
<p>No difference. The “options” are so broad that they’re more along the lines of “food for thought” than any constraint.</p>
<p>^ I agree. Yale has some great advice about the essay and essay topics: [Advice</a> on Putting Together Your Application | Yale College Admissions](<a href=“Advice on Putting Together Your Application | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions”>Advice on Putting Together Your Application | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions)</p>
<p>■■■■■■■■: the six choices aren’t a test. H feels options allow applicants to best express themselves. It’s not some insidious pre-sort: “I Can’t believe he chose that topic! ROLL EYES”</p>