The Notorious Mission Trip Essay: Should I write it?

College Essays
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<p>Any ideas on how to make that mission trip essay original instead of the usual:</p>

<p>"As I got off the plane and looked around at all of the children's faces, I knew my life had been changed forever" sappy stories.</p>

<p>I've heard from top college admissions officers and teachers that they get thousands of these every year but would love to read them if they were original. So how does one do that?! I have no idea what I could do and have thought about it for literally a month straight....</p>

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I have no idea what I could do and have thought about it for literally a month straight....

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<p>Consider finding something else to write about, something that comes more naturally, that is more you.</p>

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<p>I prob. won't write it but I've been told by many highly regarded people that they would love to see it done originally and it would really stand out..I really love my mission trips and stuff and want to write about it because it is "me" but need some creative ideas...anything to get me started I guess.</p>

<p>I thought it would be an interesting discussion too.</p>

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<p>What do you love about mission trips?</p>

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<p>Ive been on lots of really diverse ones....but dont wanna reveal too much cuz it would def. give away who i am and i know a lot of people who go on this site....but i love helping people (specifically children) and would one day like to write a book about my experiences...i just dont wanna give away who i am but the kids i help are in foreign countries and i have to speak a different language and stay w/ host families..i love submersing myself in the culture and exploring/doing fun and adventurous stuff too like trekking through the rain forest and what not when i go to these places..</p>

<p>i was just wondering what could be some creative ways to write an essay like this but not just "how it changed my life"m even though it obv. does change my life...</p>

<p>some people hve really wacky essays like one essay I know was written from the perspective of a person's sock... does anyone have any creative ideas about this at all? or a different way to present the essay..</p>

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<p>Your own "creative ideas" and words will be best: find your own ideas and words!</p>

<p>Think about "Show, Don't Tell".</p>

<p>To say "The trip changed my life" is to tell. Is there something related to the trip(s) that you can show?</p>

<p>You might want to look at:</p>

<p>Show</a>, don't tell</p>

<p>and</p>

<p>U.Va</a>. Office of Admission Essays</p>

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<p>thanks A Dad, and I know I have to "show" not "tell" with all of the essays I'm gonna write. I just wanted to brainstorm w/ fellow CCers about creative essays or possibilities for this type of essay that might inspire some new creative ideas in me because I'm having a bit of writer's block...</p>