<p>I have no idea what to write for this essay... It seems so superficial, like what do they want you to write, "I'm captivated by Mexican culture because I like tacos," or "The place of Chattanooga, TN holds a special place in my heart."</p>
<p>I have a friend who wrote about Islam, but now I obviously can't do that. What did any of my fellow 2017ers do?</p>
<p>I’m writing about Japan, to be honest I don’t find it superficial because I truly do love that culture and would like to live there someday, but I do see your point. Don’t you have a place you’d love to visit? Or a language you’d like to learn?</p>
<p>By the way, I’m Mexican. Tacos are awesome XD</p>
<p>I feel like you could write something about France and how you like the food, the art, the literature, whatever and then just replace that with any other country and it would be the same essay.</p>
<p>Obviously, that’s the case if you use generic words. If you talk about something specific, then then you don’t get the same essay. For example, you should not write “I like French music”, you should talk about something only France has, like, I don’t know, Chopin.</p>
<p>Any college essays are a place for you to tell admissions something about you that is above and beyond your stats. The topic doesn’t matter as much as how you handle it. If you can make it amusing, so much the better. Don’t be boring!</p>
<p>I tried to write an essay about the figurative place of Rural America, but it just came out sounding so idealistic and uninformed. An admissions rep told me “Just pick a culture other than your own that you would like to learn about and tell us what you want to learn and why,” so it doesn’t sound like they want anything too fancy… but then I wonder what’s the point of this question at all. I don’t feel like this is an outlet for me to reveal myself. Like in the past, they asked much better questions.</p>
<p>What you want to learn and why is just exactly what a college would want to know about a prospective student. I think you’re right that they don’t want anything fancy. If you’re writing about something you don’t know yet, of course it would sound uninformed. They don’t expect you to know everything.</p>
<p>Last year’s topic was something like “what was the most memorable advice you’ve everreceived, did you follow it…”. That was also tough if I recall from my D - to not sound cliche. Plus is was supposed to be short. I think she spent more time on that one than on the common app essay! I agree with others here - push yourself to consider a culture you don’t know about but have an interest in. Maybe focus on the one area as guitar 500 suggested. There are so many options. Good luck!</p>
<p>I like the Rural America idea, btw. And Grinnell likes idealistic students, just as long as they’re not pretentious about it.</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone can suggest what to write about. That’s truly a personal thing. Write down a few ideas you have and add more as you come up with them. I’m sure you’ll come up with a good topic. Just because you don’t come up with at first doesn’t mean it will be bad. In some ways it will be more thought out.</p>
<p>I feel like I’m just gonna have to make this one adequate and not exceptional, which really sucks because Grinnell is one of my top choices.</p>
<p>I wish I could apply ED to grinnell because I could totally see myself going there. Too bad I can’t visit and therefor won’t apply early. I love that school.</p>
<p>SgtDonut–I’d read your essay if you pm me. I just hosted a party for 50+ people, so not until tomorrow, but send it if you want.</p>
<p>Could you read mine also? I haven’t written it yet but once I do could I send it to you?</p>
<p>yes i would, thirrdplanet. Why would you give up without trying?</p>
<p>Are you asking me? I haven’t tried yet I have been working on other things.</p>
<p>Thank you, bethievt. I will definitely take you up on that offer!</p>
<p>thirrdplanet–yes, I’m asking you. There is no reason to not apply RD. Not sure what your thoughts are about ED. There are financial considerations there, but if you are interested in Grinnell, why not apply RD? When my son applied, there was no fee if he applied online. Maybe it’s different now.</p>
<p>Oh I definitely am applying rd! I just wish I had an option to apply Ed because it is seeming like my number one choice but I am worried I won’t get in.</p>
<p>thirrdplanet, I just submitted my application if you want me to take a look at your supplement.</p>