which essay topic should I choose?

College Essays
1

<p>I have written 2 essays and don't know which one to choose!
The first one is about dance and crossing cultures, but it sounds more idealistic and unpersonal.
The second one is about a friend has taught me to be open and overcome fears, and it is more personal but does not show academic qualities. It just shows that I have learned that love is very important. </p>

<p>I like the second one more...but is it important to include something that gives a reason why I want to attend college or can I leave it out??</p>

2

<p>I think the point is for the college to get a really good sense of who you are…I honestly think the dance/culture essay could be much better if you found a way to make it really personal, but if the other one has more “you” in it, then it’s probably a better choice.</p>

3

<p>the second one actually has more “me” in it; it is written like a short story and describes my developement as a person. The first one would be probably better contentwise, but I have no idea of how to make it more personal…it describes how I grew up and how dance and school affected me…but it is not strong.</p>

<p>and does it really not matter that I don’t include the reason I want to go to college?</p>

4

<p>bump which one??</p>

5

<p>bummmmpbummmp</p>

6

<p>please give your opinion! I need it for the UCs…</p>

7

<p>I’d choose the 2nd one if it’s more personal.</p>

8

<p>I see, thanks! is it always the personal, the better?</p>

9

<p>so many viewers so little replies</p>

10

<p>Well the essay reveals more about who you are, so you want it to be personal so they can know a personal side of you. But, I’m not in college yet, so who knows what they really want!</p>

11

<p>thanks, anyway :)</p>

12

<p>First, what is the prompt? Difficult to tell without knowing that.</p>

<p>Second, although some topics are better than others, you can write a good essay with any topic if done right. So again hard to tell.</p>

<p>Judging by some of the advise you gave others and your own work, you seem to have ideas of what a good essay should be already.</p>

<p>I responded to a thread because I like your post. I don’t know if you seen it or if it is of any help to you. Anyway here it is:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/804835-can-i-name-couple-experiences-rather-than-one-uc-prompt-2-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/804835-can-i-name-couple-experiences-rather-than-one-uc-prompt-2-a.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

13

<p>well thank you, BusyMei!
the prompt is the first UC prompt: Tell us about the world you come from and how it shaped your dreams and aspirations.
I think I am going to take the more personal one, though…</p>

<p>but for the other prompt that asks for any experiences that makes me proud and makes me the person I am now, I still cannot think of anything…They are a lot of experiences and I just don’t know which one to pick:(</p>

14

<p>UC Prompt 1, just gave feedback on one of those last night. Make sure everthing in the essay ties into your dream/aspirations.</p>

<p>UC Prompt 2, try picking 2 or 3 experiences, write a rough outline for each. Perhaps that will help you pick out one to further develop.</p>

15

<p>I would choose the more personal one too. I think it’s always better for an essay to be on the personal side, rather than just describing the things you’ve done.</p>

<p>Just my two cents though. Whichever you think best conveys who you are should be the one you choose to submit.</p>

16

<p>I have this idea of writing the 2nd prompt essay in this way: on the day I get my report card I think about the efforts I have made for school(since elementary sch), emphasizing the hard catching up process after transferring in 10th grade? </p>

<p>Would this be a good idea? Well I am proud that I finally caught up, and it is one experiece it is the experience of learning, and also an academic achievement as a whole</p>

17

<p>Transferring in 10th grade certainly is worth emphasizing.</p>

<p>Some questions for brainstorming

  • What made the transfer hard? School environment, social life, academic?
  • Why were you behind?
  • How far behind were you?
  • What in particular did you do to catch up? Don’t be generic by telling that you put in extra effort.</p>

<p>Don’t emphasize “efforts I have made for school (since elementary sch)”. Everyone else applying to college did similar.</p>

18

<p>thanks for those brainstorming ideas!!!:slight_smile:
I have just finished my essay.
May I ask another question?
My word count exceeds the 1000 limit by 100…I feel like that everything I write is very important, however! Is it bad, are they strict on it? If yes, do you have any ideas how to cut down wisely??</p>

19

<p>Congrat on getting your essays done. Now you have time to edit and re-write.</p>

<p>CC wisdom has it that a little bit over is fine but not much. I remember reading many posts on this topic but don’t remember the details.</p>

<p>100 words over is probably too much. I assume that is for both essays, prompt 1 and 2.</p>

<p>I think every essay can be cut in some way and usually for the better from the ones I have seen. Get someone else to read them. Get another opinion.</p>

20

<p>hmm…I know it’s a daring question: would you like to take a look at them, if you have time??</p>