topic help... too common???

I was thinking about writing my common app essay about how running changed my personality and made me more confident and determined

I skipped the first days of middle school practice and went home crying because I did not know anyone and now I just got back from a two week service trip in asia where I knew no one. Also it made me a better student and leader because of how much effort I have put into it to get where I am

The more I think about this topic I feel like it is too simple and repetitive since I mention running a lot in my activities.

Please be honest!! Thank you!!

I think it’s a great idea. It is a unifying theme for explaining how your abilities grew. If parts of your story are a bit humorous, that would be good too.

Find a way to put an interesting spin on it. Read the pinned post called essay tips to consider, on the essay forum home page.

Honestly, I can’t tell what you plan to write about. You mention running in middle school, and a two-week service trip to Asia in high school. You also vaguely mention being a “leader.” These are three different topics. You also mention a couple of negatives – “skipping” practice and “crying” – both of which can be red flags to an admissions rep. The repeated reference to being uncomfortable when you “don’t know anyone” can also be a negative, since it is possible you won’t know anyone at your university. Universities are not eager to admit students that they think will fall apart the first year because they are so distraught at being in a new place around new people. I think you need to work on your topic more and how you plan to spin it. Be sure to phrase things in a way that focuses on the positive, and not the negative.