Two essay possibilities: help me decide?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

****This is just a brief explanation of what they would be on
-My major is going to be in the business field

  1. 3--challenged a belief: In my school, an international transfer student wasn't allowed to walk in our graduation because it was deemed "a privilege for four-year students" (or something like that--it's been a while). Basically, she couldn't walk because she was from a different country and wasn't told until the day before graduation. I challenged the school board and took to social media and created a petition, gaining over 2,000 signatures in six hours and ultimately got the decision reversed. The story was on the news and in papers. This will lead into my advocacy for equal rights and how I'm passionate about that.

  2. 3 or #4 could fit both--I grew up playing soccer. I started when I was three years old and after I was selected to play on a travel team at age 6 (7?) I played year round. Basically I was expected all my life to play and last year I decided to quit. Would talk about how I felt confined, didn't even like it, wasn't happy, was doing it to please other people. Resulted in me getting a job which I adapted to and excelled in quickly, earning a raise in my first month and ultimately helped me decide that I wanted to pursue a career in business. All my life I had no idea what I wanted to do and gaining the confidence to make a decision and end my soccer career helped me find answers. Made time for more valuable experiences, etc.

    –This one is a little more risky because quitting something can be seen as a negative but it also relates to my major (business undeclared or management or accounting).

2

I think it also depends what you’re planning to write supplements on, and what qualities you’re showing about yourself in them. I think your first essay shows your leadership skills, and your second one shows your independence and growth. I think you should write about whatever you don’t cover in your supplements (aka if your supplements show you as independent, then write the first essay.)

3

I love the first one. Your second topic sounds kind of like complainer (don’t take that the wrong way) and IMO, youth sports are so overdone in our culture nobody cares.

4

I actually think the second one would reveal more about you as long as you be careful to “show not tell” your story. I would ask the guidance counsellor or another recommender to write about the first one in their letter of recommendation. That way, both aspects of you are in the application and that makes you a more interesting candidate.

Write both and see how they really look on paper.

5

^I agree. Both topics are great, but I think the second one may be better to write. Recs may not know about your soccer career, but your teachers and GC will definitely know about your advocacy. Ask them to cover that in their rec. That way you can get the best of both worlds.