<p>I have started three, and one will end up being my Harvard supplement and the other will end up being my common app essay. Since they are both kind of open-ended prompts of around the same length, I have no idea which should go where.</p>
<p>I started one that is a creative narrative from the perspective of my playing tennis. I flashback to my time in Mexico and explain that I was terrified of the jungle just as I was terrified of my opponent, but both times I pushed on. (this is a bit more subtle and points our that I am not perfect but I will persevere and try my best, and sometimes take risks).</p>
<p>The next is just about a travel experience. It, too, is about Mexico(so I probably would not use this in conjunction with the first) but it is more about the charity work I did there and the strange experiences with the culture. ( I have just started this so it is still kind of coming along...)</p>
<p>The third I have also only just started. It is about my cultural heritage and my own beliefs. I was raised by a Jewish American Feminist, yet my father is a very traditional Iranian. They are divorced, but I still respect both of their perspectives. It was going to be about how I am able to be a very opinionated, liberal feminist but still be a part of the somewhat conservative, male-dominated culture. I was also hoping to somehow tie it back to my starting a Women in Politics club at my school and my interest in Politics/women in leadership roles...? </p>
<p>So, which should go where? I am not mentioning any names of any schools in either one. So does it matter?</p>
<p>Actually, I am kind of starting to hate the one about tennis all together, and I may just drop the Mexico essay as well. I am beginning one about my internship with the Lt. Governor…is that a wise choice? She will be writing me a letter of recommendation so it will already hold some importance in my application. Would that seem to kind of weigh down the rest of my app if I only focus on that instead of my tennis, travel experience, volunteer work…?</p>
<p>Jaysha, I think you should probably just drop the Mexico/tennis essay altogether. It sounds like that essay would tell Harvard much less about you than an essay on your heritage and beliefs - many Harvard hopefuls play tennis, persevere and take risks, and have volunteered/gone abroad, but not many of them come from such a unique background. This is just my personal humble opinion, but I think you should write about how your family situation has influenced your political views, and tie that in with your leadership in starting a Women in Politics Club, your interest in Politics, and your internship with the Lt. Governor. That sounds like the beginnings of a pretty solid essay. From there, all that matters is how well you execute it. </p>
<p>And no, I don’t think it will weigh down your app to talk about your internship, especially as it ties in so well with your background and passion for politics. Harvard will be able to see from the activities section of your Common app that you have volunteered, traveled abroad, and play tennis. What they won’t be able to see (unless you specifically include them in an essay, which I think you should) are your personal beliefs and where they come from. And in my opinion, those trump extracurriculars every time.</p>
<p>Finally, when I applied, I actually didn’t write a supplemental essay for Harvard. I just submitted my Common app essay because I thought it said everything I wanted to say, and I got in. So it’s not necessary to write a supp unless YOU really want to, or because you think it says something that hasn’t be said or can’t be said anywhere else. Good luck!</p>
<p>What matters is not what topic you pick, but how well you write the essay. Though it is true that some topics do not lend themselves easily to well-written essays. It is hard for us here to say which essay is better if we do not see the essays themselves.</p>
<p>My advice is to find people whose opinion you trust and show them your essays themselves and ask for their feedback. I would suggest your favorite English teacher in high school as well as a good peer friend who knows you well, preferably one that is a strong writer. You should ask them if your essay is interesting, sophisticated, and most importantly whether it sounds like you. They’ll undoubtedly have advice so listen to it, but don’t be afraid to reject any advice if it seems like it’s taking away your unique narrative voice.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the detailed responses! They were extremely helpful! I have just dropped the first two all together because really, they said very little about me that was unique. I wrote my internship paper…(if any one would be willing to read it…:)…) and I will get to work on the cultural heritage one soon. It will probably be a bit more difficult for me to write in a compact essay, so it may take more time. Thanks again! Your advice was great!</p>
<p>PS I am writing a supplement essay simply because as far as my stats go, I am not all that competitive. I think what really makes me stand out will probably be my passion, which I hope to convey through these essays. Although, if they end up sucking…I may in fact not be turning anything in for my supplement! :(</p>
I have just dropped the first two all together because really, they said very little about me that was unique. I wrote my internship paper…(if any one would be willing to read it…:)…) and I will get to work on the cultural heritage one soon. It will probably be a bit more difficult for me to write in a compact essay, so it may take more time. Thanks again! Your advice was great!</p>