<p>One of the Common App essay prompts is to write about a significant issue of personal, local or national concern. I'm kind of toying with the idea of using it for one of my essays since I really love politics and I'm pretty up to date on most of the major issues, and I think it will stand out from the generic how-I-overcame-adversity or whatever essay. I'm also kind of worried though that it will be tricky to personalize the essay so that it is not just about the issue but also about me and my personality. I get that certain topics are probably way overdone and should be avoided, are there any other rules or suggestions for using this prompt effectively?</p>
<p>Bump 10 char. Anyone out there?</p>
<p>Everything I have read says to avoid politics, but also that pretty much any topic can be good if written well. So I guess the question is, can you write a compelling essay that doesn’t get “too” political? Did you have something in mind?</p>
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No need to use 10char if your post has more than ten characters :).</p>
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<p>I think the key thing is to make sure that any issue of national concern you write about is also of personal concern to yourself. Any issue you pick needs to matter to you, and your essay should make that connection clear.</p>
<p>@artemis95: I’ve given it a little thought, but not much. One reason I’m kind of reluctant to write about an explicitly political topic is that my political views will already be obvious from my activities and I don’t want to shove them down the admissions people’s throats, especially if my essay is read by someone who disagrees with me… On the other hand, politics is such a huge part of my life, my greatest passion and something I live and breathe every day, that it would be a shame to me to ignore it in my main essay.</p>
<p>@chaseholl: lol, of course I wouldn’t need the 10char. Facepalm.</p>
<p>One topic I have been thinking about is the issue of so many people, especially young people being apathetic about the political process, and why I believe in our political system as a way to solve problems and make our voices heard… Then kind of turn that into my own interest in politics and my desire to be a campaign manager/strategist.</p>
<p>Sounds to me like you could bring a balanced opinion to your essay without shoving your views down the reader’s throat – especially if you talk about the need to get ALL voices heard or EVERY youth involved or whatever, and make that point. People always throw that term “passion” around, and it definitely sounds like this is yours, so I say go for it and have a lot of people read it just to make sure it is balanced. Just my two cents.</p>