Hey,
So I used to be a chess prodigy, I started playing when I was 3, won under 18 tournaments by the time I was 6. When I was around 15…I started to loose interest in it and I left it, now that I’m 17, I realise that it was the biggest mistake of my life and I never shouldve done that, it’s too late for me too rejoin but I occasionally play on the internet now, and take part in some school events.
So should I write about how I wasted that opportunity and now I’ve learnt their importance and how I’ll use my opportunity to go to colleges to the fullest and make best use of the resources I get?
Thanks a lot
Too late to rejoin? I think that would imply chess champions don’t exist past 18. That you would be willing to quit when you lose interest slightly and not re-engage because you put a barrier that only exists in your mind. I think the essay would paint a picture that you’re subject to burning out. If it’s not your passion today, why bring up you only play recreationally? I would suggest painting a picture that you accomplished all you wanted to in chess and have found a new passion.
Honestly, I think the way you are framing this will not show you in the best light. I wouldn’t write about the biggest mistake of your life unless you had already learned and made positive changes because of it. You want colleges to see you in the most positive way.
Could you write about the rising to the challenge of leaving something you knew you excelled out to branch out and try new things? Learning to thrive in a different atmosphere? The things that being a chess champion taught you that you now apply to other things in life, ect. Make it positive. I wouldn’t write about what you plan to do, unless its backed up by what you have already done.
Yes, it could be an excellent essay topic for college applications depending upon how it is executed.
Do not lie. Do not write that you accomplished everything that you wanted to in your chess career as this might suggest several negative things about you.
I don’t think it is a great topic – you quit something you were outstanding at for 2 years, you regret it, you don’t think you can take chess back up as a serious pursuit (and haven’t made any attempt to), so you play online. I don’t see how this story makes you a person USC would love to get on campus. I would focus your essay on positive things you are doing now, not on quitting chess/having regrets…
I think the OP’s point is that he lost sight of the forest for the trees after 12 years of playing chess. That he has learned to appreciate his talents, hard work & opportunities. And that there is no turning back the clock. All fairly mature, insightful reflections.
If you are good at writing, creatively expressing how it felt in the moment when you played chess, lost a game, and such it could be good. It needs to pull the reader into your world of chess for a few minutes and the reflections you have now. Good luck! My own D, years ago, wrote about the day she passed out when she saw blood during lifeguard training. It was about getting up and continuing with courage. It was interesting and easy to read. She received good feedback. She is a doctor now and, yet, had no such plans when she wrote this at 17.
@oregon101 The difference between what your daughter wrote and OP’s proposed essay, is that your daughter got back up again and pushed through her discomfort. Thats a great moment. OP gave up chess and new regrets it. He wants to write about a wasted opportunity. I think he could make better use of his experience, talking about what he gained from it, how he uses those skills, etc.
I think if you’d rejoined the fray and were working your way up the rankings again, it could be a good essay. Otherwise, not so much.
It’s no tip to write about quitting and just say it was a mistake. There’s no essay adcoms want that just discusses a regret. That offers no insight on the qualities they look for. Try to find a positive to write about, something related to what the colleges value.