I am applying to Georgetown’s SFS and as part of the application I have to write about a global issue and offer a solution. I wanted to write my essay about the current genocide occurring in Myanmar, I would then speak of the different reactions to it (Such as US President, Myanmar’s President, and the UN) and finally concluding by offering a very broad solution. But my question is, is this topic good enough? Is it a topic that would qualify as a global issue? Is it good to incorporate the different reactions? Is it okay if I do not make a direct link to this event and my life? Overall any tips for the essay?
My essay was originally a research paper I did for a class on the South China Sea. In the paper I argued that the US should do X and Y in order to minimize conflict and promote international stability. I adapted it a bit to fit under the word limit and it had no personal connections to me at all except for the fact that I was born in Hong Kong, which I didn’t mention in the essay. As you can probably tell, I got in. What I’m trying to say is that there are a million different ways you could go with your essay, and there’s no right answer to how to write an essay for SFS.
In direct answers to your questions:
1.) Yes, I think it would make a good essay.
2.) Yes, Rohingya crisis is definitely a global issue
3.) You might run into the word limit but I think it’s a good approach
4.) Yes, direct links are not necessary. You can choose to, but you don’t have to.
5.) I would focus more on the solution and less on the actual events, because it shows that you’ve thought about the situation. Even if you don’t have a solution to the crisis, you can talk about potential solutions. I would try to make it less broad though and offer some specific ideas. You don’t have to single-handedly solve the entire crisis, but it’ll show that you’ve actually put thought into essay.