<p>My common app essay is about a cross country race but ...
1) i didn't win, I talk about a close race towards the end between me and a runner which I lost.
2) i don't talk about perseverance, I talk about how competitive I am, striving for the best, being a better sportsman.
3) it is well written, had my English teachers look it over.</p>
<p>Is this too stereotypical? Or will it be okay?
I can PM it to you guys if you need a better idea, but please no 09's. any help is appreciated!</p>
<p>bump 10 char</p>
<p>It's fine. I have a book of "50 successful Harvard app essays" and one of them is about an xc race. It was well written and she also mentioned the things that ran through her mind during the race: friends, schoolwork, ec's(basically the stuff that makes her well rounded). it's a perfectly viable topic. regardless, skillful execution > clever topic</p>
<p>all right thanks! I also have a book on college essays and the only thing it mentioned about big race/big game essays is that they're more common when the theme is about winning in the end and persevering.</p>