<p>on the common application, the last choice is a 'topic of your choice'. I've been brainstorming for a while, and i'm just confused as to how much freedom I have... Can i write about my personal viewpoint on some controversial issues? (ex. abortion, animal rights) Or should it be more personal in a sense that it shows my personality/a part of me more directly?</p>
<p>Whatever you want. Abortion. Personal. Whatever you think. And you have completely free-reign so long as it represents you.</p>
<p>so it doesn't have to necessarily be based on an experience?</p>
<p>No. 10char</p>
<p>Think about your essay as a piece of advertising. What adjectives or nickname (intense debater, pianist/soccer kid, social activist, rock climbing philosopher) do you want the admissions reader to use when referring to you in committee? Then think about what topic or anecdote best presents these traits.</p>
<p>dont forget to make a question. you need to include a question. correct me if im wrong.</p>
<p>^ what do you mean by a question?</p>
<p>you create a question otherwise what are u answering</p>
<p>Does the application essay have to mention a specific college anywhere, or can it just be about you?</p>
<p>if it's common app, you shouldn't mention any specific college, because you might end up sending it to more than one school. most people on their essays don't mention any particular one because the focus is on the applicant.</p>
<p>btw, to the OP, keep in mind that just because you CAN write about something doesn't mean you SHOULD. there are some topics that work better for essays. plus, remember the purpose. there are a lot of topics about which I am confident I could write a great essay, but they wouldn't show a lot of my personality, hence, if I were applying to college, I would not choose to write about them.</p>
<p>oh ok. Thanks for the info. I will probably write an essay portraying me rather than an essay I can get an A on for English class. (English sucks)</p>