<p>How much research/statistics are we supposed to demonstrate in these essays? I've heard some say that you should name specific professors and courses. Or are they alright with broader responses?</p>
<p>Take, for example, Carnegie Mellon's one pager they want you to upload. Am I going to have to do a lot of research right now...</p>
<p>Sorry to not answer your question, but i have an urgent problem. If i update the submitted common app essay, can i change the topic too?</p>
<p>Applicants that distinguish themselves with these essays actually have a strong reason that they want to attend the particular school (and articulate it in the essay). For example, some kids may have done a lot of work on a subject and interacted with a a particular professor during that process. Many of these essays are generic but the more your essay would be applicable only to the school in question, the better.</p>