<p>Smile, do you mean what I think you mean?</p>
<p>Oreo cookie?</p>
<p>this thread has stressed me out
:(</p>
<p>avoid the word "passion" it is an overused, trite word found in too many college essays </p>
<p>don't forget "if we are what we eat, we are also what we write"</p>
<p>Yes, avoid the word "passion", but don't avoid what you have a passion for! Show your passion--don't declare or announce "I have a passion for..."</p>
<p>do you think writing about responsibility will be bad....? / cliche? I have a pretty creative approach towards it.</p>
<p>It is not the topic, it is what you do with the topic.</p>
<p>Virtually any topic can make for an excellent essay. Virtually any topic can make for a poor essay.</p>
<p>Aim for a topic that allows you to be personal, detailed, honest and revealing. A topic that works for someone else might not work for you. A topic that doesn't work for someone else might work for you.</p>
<p>If your essay is personal, detailed, honest and revealing, it won't matter how many other people have written on that topic. Your unique take, your unique personality will make for a good essay that helps you in the applications process.</p>
<p>For good essay advice from UVa, see:</p>
<p>It is not the topic, it is what you do with the topic.</p>
<p>I heartily agree. I mean sure, the things in that "what to avoid" list may sound cliche, but it IS possible to make any of those interesting. Good essay writers know how to make any mundane subject into an interesting one. just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>
[quote]
3) Talking About What You Like/Dislike
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Ehrm... What if an essay question is about your passions? Happens quite often.</p>
<p>1mx - are you speaking as a college admin, or as someone making <em>common sense</em> observations?</p>
<p>do college admins really yawn when they see the 1,000th 'I learned on my big trip', or 'I learned from <pick your="" d="">' essay?</pick></p>
<p>admins, any response?</p>
<p>I liked D's what I wish I understood better essay (it was a prompt so she had to answer it): Why the Cubs couldn't win the pennant. I guess Princeton liked it too.
Now S wants to write his Common App essay on a topic that interests him but is not really about him. It would reveal his writing style, his way of looking at things and his sense of humor but not anything about him personally. He thinks that will come from the rest of his app and his activities short essay. I think it is risky. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>So, you recommend not to talk about family. But I have a unique case. I have 7 brothers and sisters for a family of ten. Would it be okay if I focused on how that is different instead of how they help me? pm me if you want to read my essay and critique it.</p>
<p>Our teacher listed these 4:</p>
<p>Drug addiction/recovery
Grandma death
Depression
Parents' divorce</p>
<p>My essay is about the death of my grandmother.. not so much about her death, but what I learned from her passing. :(</p>
<p>woww... some of you need to chill.</p>
<p>There's no bad essay topic. It's all in writing skill. Really, just show em who you are.</p>
<p>Heck, I wrote about colloquialisms and mouthwash.</p>
<p>^ I agree.</p>
<p>While an essay certainly has a large impact on whether or not you get accepted, it isn't everything. Sometimes, I wonder if I got the acceptances I did despite my essays. I'm definitely not a spectacular writer.</p>
<p>Also, show them who you are. Don't write about some random topic just because it's unusual or because it makes you look good. Don't make yourself look too bad of course, but don't force it. No matter what the topic, put some thought into it. How does this topic show who you are? </p>
<p>This is especially important when you are a given more of a specific topic: Why this college? Who has had the greatest impact on you? Describe a time when you had to overcome a great obstacle.</p>
<p>Because let's face it, most people have not had obstacles that are similar to ones that thousands of others have faced. There are only a certain number of reasons why someone would want to choose a college. Most people are impacted most by their teachers, families, and friends. So yes, some people will have unique answers. But with all the applications out there, the chance that your topic will be unique, especially on a topic like these, is slim.</p>
<p>So work on showing yourself. And of course, show your writing skill. A horrible writer with a unique topic isn't going anywhere.</p>
<p>I am writing my essay on my experience in Majdanek, a Holocaust concentration camp in Lublin, Poland, as it was one of the most intense, defining moments of my life. Am I correct in thinking that is not cliche and is quite unique as most students haven't had such a hands on experience with something of the sort?</p>
<p>hmm.. well, I'm writing about one of my weaknesses, actually. and tying that into responsibility. I'm not sure. when i'm done I'll probably ask somebody to critique it? </p>
<p>and salpert, I guess it is unique, but I wouldn't rely solely on the SUBJECT of your essay to put you over the top.</p>
<p>Salpert, that's comparatively unique, but I can't help but think that something similar would be common. In other words, plenty of people have gone somewhere where they were reminded of something horrible or sad and it defined their life.</p>
<p>So as explode said, don't rely on your topic. I think that topic has a lot of potential, but a good topic alone won't make your essay stand out. You need to describe things vividly, and let who you are shine through.</p>
<p>No disability? I've been told that my son, who has Asperger's Syndrome, should make sure he discusses that in his essay. It's an explanation (rather than an excuse) for his grades. I have some insight into how the world looks through his eyes. If he can express that well enough on paper, I think that the reader would have nothing but admiration for what he's accomplished in high school. I do agree about the "make it funny" part, however. If you read Tim Page's recent New Yorker article "Parallel Play", you'll know how that humor can be captured.</p>