Hi all. As I finalize my essays for one particular college, I was hoping I could hear some of your opinions on the subject matter of my essays.
This college uses Common App. My main Common App essay was on a form of traditional dance that I have participated in for the better half of my life. It’s a cultural thing for my family, and while I don’t actively dance and compete in this form of dance anymore due to injuries, I still am an active spectator and supporter within the community.
Now, for this specific college, their additional essay asked me, in short, what makes me unique beyond academics and extracurriculars. I wrote about being a distance runner, because it makes me rather quirky among my group of friends. I do long distance races such as half marathons and 10-milers. I talked largely about how running has changed me as a person over the years.
I’m overall happy with how this running essay turned out, but I am concerned that it relates too much to my extracurriculars, given that I also run track and cross country at my school. In addition, I mentioned in the Additional Information section that I am currently working on a yearlong research project (within the AP Capstone program) on blood pressure levels in running, briefly mentioning in that explanation that I chose to research running because I am passionate about it.
My question is, am I talking about running too much in my application for this school? I suppose it does demonstrate dedication and heavy involvement in extracurriculars, but do you think it would be better to respond to the additional essay prompt with something that strays more from my extracurriculars and from running in general? I have some ideas and would be fine with rewriting it, I just need some opinions.
Thanks!