<p>I'm applying to various colleges varying from CalPoly to Dartmouth and alot in between, let me know which essay you think would be the strongest, and why. Thank you!! :)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>how much i love to travel and how seeing different cultures has put life into perspective for me; how i'm always seeking to learn more about different worlds and different people</p></li>
<li><p>how my aunt worked in the hotel business for years but finally quit to pursue her dreams as being a baker--how i learned that one must always follow one's dreams etc. (might be cliched)</p></li>
<li><p>how my grandfather has Alzheimers and seeing him get weaker has influenced me to enjoy every minute of life more; value the importance of time and life and family</p></li>
<li><p>the interesting life i've had being half filipino and half irish and the mixture of the cultures in my home</p></li>
</ol>
<p>let me know which you think would be the most interesting, thank you!</p>
<p>5. None of the above.</p>
<p>Rephrase the question and ask about SPECIFIC moments (even including the topics above). What are the most memorable moments in your life. For example, using the above, the rephrasing might be:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The moment I was in a room and no one else spoke English. It was awkward, but I had to overcome my shyness to learn what I needed to find out from them.</p></li>
<li><p>The moment my aunt announced she was quitting her job - my feelings and nervousness for her future. Was this the right thing for her (from my feelings and perspectives)</p></li>
<li><p>The first time my grandfather didn’t recognize me and my shock at that. From this point on, the clock would not turn back. I didn’t exactly know how I was going to deal with it.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>…and so on. Anyway, you get the idea. Each of the things you listed has been used hundreds of times. The point is: you have to make it SPECIFIC, you have to make it PERSONAL, and you have to couch it in terms of something you are going to have to overcome or deal with (and emerge stronger on the other side).</p>
<p>So first paragraph describes - in detail - that ONE moment. Then write the last paragraph - another one moment which shows that you’ve overcome the issue or awkwardness or shock or sadness (and are thus more capable to deal with the world… but don’t SAY that… SHOW it).</p>
<p>Only now do you write the in-between few paragraphs showing - again with “scenes” - your journey and development.</p>
<p>THAT would be a strong essay.</p>
<p>–Robert Cronk, author of [Concise</a> Advice: Jump-Starting Your College Admissions Essays (Second Edition)](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/dp/0974386723][i]Concise”>http://www.amazon.com/dp/0974386723)</p>
<p>great advice, thanks for your input!</p>