Torn Between Options

College Essays
1

<p>Okay, so I'm having trouble deciding where to go with my CommonApp essay. Can anybody help me decide what direction I might want to go in? I'm kind of lost on what I'm trying to accomplish with the essay, to be honest. I need some sort of direction with where I could take each option and which might be the best.</p>

<p>Thanks guys, it means a lot!</p>

<p>Option 1: I wrote an essay in which my mother and I were looking at several photos from my life (like 5-7), and I described each photo and related them all to a part of who I am or how I have changed through life.</p>

<p>Pros are that I can give a pretty full representation of who I am (covering several different aspects of myself), etc. Cons are that I may be trying to cover too much; I may be spreading myself too thin.</p>

<p>Option 2: My family often goes over to my cousins' house for game nights. We play games like Scattergories, Apples to Apples, Liverpool Rummy, and more obscure games. We laugh a lot, etc. This essay would relate one of those nights.</p>

<p>Pros are that I would be more focused on one event and how it tells about me, etc. Cons are that I don't exactly know what it would tell about me that would be really important (maybe I'm just missing the importance?).</p>

<p>Option 3: I went to a three-week program after Sophomore year that literally changed my outlook on life. I was thinking about covering one of the several huge events at the program and how it changed me as a person.</p>

<p>Pros are that it would demonstrate growth, etc. Cons are that I haven't decided on what event or how to convey it (I've got at least a rough draft for the other two essays), etc.</p>

2

<p>You understand the pros and cons of your options quite well so I don’t think you need any help. I would go with 3 if you can come up with an interesting event. Otherwise option 1 (although it’s not the first time I’ve heard that idea).</p>

3

<p>I know it’s not the answer you’re looking for but I thin that the best thing would be for you to pause and think for a second about what essay you’d be most comfortable writing. Try that one first and see where it leads you. If you get stuck, try another one! The truth is, only you can make this decision! Just keep in mind that your essay: 1) shouldn’t try to cover your whole life 2) should reflect your personality and basically who you are as a person 3) should be interesting to read (avoid using too many thesaurus-like words or complicated, falsely intelligent-sounding metaphors)</p>

<p>Good luck on those essays!</p>

4

<p>Three sounds more interesting to me.</p>