<p>the one on the global problem and how you would fix it...Iraq/Middle East = too common? or is it better to have one that is well known but with a different twist?</p>
<p>My personal advice is not touch Iraq/Iran/Israel-Palestine, etc. with a ten foot pole on that essay. Ultimately you have to decide what your interested and concerned about, however, that's the best sort of essay. So, if the answer to that is Iraq or Israel/Palestine then write on it. </p>
<p>But it's not even that it's too common, I would guess SFS-ers or prospective ones write on some really wonky world problems you wouldn't think of or hear about normally, it's just way too complicated to treat adequately in a short essay.</p>
<p>I've heard everything from medical care in Latin America, to the war in the Congo (which was mine), to economic issues in Indonesia. Like above, find what you are interested in and talk about that. More specifically, write about something you are knowledgeable about. If that is Iraq, them by all means, write about that. You shouldn't have to research the topic, since you are trying to show one of your passions.</p>
<p>well i have a fairly strong int'l relations background with UN work and former courses so if I was equally strong in larger-scale topics like Israel/Palestine and those that there lesser known...which would be best to write it on?</p>
<p>Israel and Palestine is not necessarily overdone, but you had better come up with something new or at least at the frontier of thought for that region. If you do a lesser known topic, then it is easier to come up with an essay that will make you look good. Both are good topics, and going in-depth on Israel or Palestine will certainly help you. The choice ultimately is yours, and there isn't a direct advantage of choosing well-known versus esoteric.</p>