<p>I am applying to LACs</p>
<p>this thread may help you: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=374130%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=374130</a></p>
<p>Good thread. May I also say stay away from being too operatic in any way.</p>
<p>Thread is misleading, talking about what you like/dislike can be very compelling if done right.</p>
<p>The only topics you should avoid are 1) those that you are considering because you think they will "look good", 2) those about which you cannot write well, and 3) those that do not tell the reader anything about you that they cannot discern from the rest of the application.</p>
<p>thread is not misleading, it is a very needed thread.
Writing about anything on that list automatically makes it exponentially harder to write a stand-out essay just bc they are so common. SO SO SO many kids think that they have written an awesome essay when the truth is...
quote from former Harvard dean of admissions, "2% of essays hurt the applicant, 3% help the applicant, 95% do virtually nothing for the applicant."</p>